What Does Trip Insurance Cover? We Summarize the Fine Print

For many travelers, travel medical coverage is a must-have. It makes sense; few medical plans cover travelers when they leave the country, and the ones that do may cover only a few procedures, or services from specific providers.

Medical coverage for travelers is purpose-built to deal with medical emergencies overseas. That’s why it’s such an important part of most travel insurance.

One key feature of medical coverage for travelers is coverage for pre-existing conditions. In addition, emergency medical evacuation is a medical-related coverage that can be a literal lifesaver.

Also read: Why You Might Need to Buy Medical Coverage Before You Travel

Pre-Existing Conditions

Our Premium plan can cover pre-existing medical conditions if you’re medically able to travel at the time of purchasing the plan,  you insure all of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs, and you purchase the plan prior to or within 24 hours of your final trip payment.

Here’s something else to look for with medical coverage: The length of the “look-back” period – a length of time prior to buying the coverage, usually between three months and one year, where if you’re treated for a medical condition it’s considered pre-existing.

In our case, the look-back period is 180 days.* That means any medical condition you were treated for in that 180-day period will be considered pre-existing, and won’t be covered if it flares up while you’re traveling. This does not apply to a condition that is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine, and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the 180-day period.

Also read: Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Travel Insurance—5 Things Most People Get Wrong

Emergency medical evacuation    

If you’re backpacking in Belize or trekking through the Amazon jungle, you need insurance in case you have to be evacuated.

Generali plans provide coverage for emergency medical evacuation to the nearest hospital that’s equipped to take care of you. The plan can also cover the cost of medical transport to a U.S. hospital, or even back home, if deemed medically necessary by the treating physician and approved by us or our authorized agent.

Finally, the plan can help pay the cost of sending home your remains if the unthinkable happens.

The more active your vacation and the more remote your destination, the more evacuation coverage you may need. Our Premium plan includes one million dollars of Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage.

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption insurance are must haves for many travelers because they help protect trips from perils at home and at your destination. These coverages reimburse you for unused, non-refundable, pre-paid travel expenses if you’re prevented from taking your trip due to a covered reason.

The best way to understand how Trip Cancellation coverage works is to read the plan details, and look for the covered reasons for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption.

Generally the reasons fall into several broad categories, including:

Uninhabitability
Your home or your destination is deemed uninhabitable, due to a flood, fire or other natural disaster.

Illness, injury, or death
You can’t go on your trip because you, a traveling companion or family member got sick or injured and can’t travel, or died.

Work-related reasons

With Generali, you can be covered if you have to cancel your trip because you involuntarily lost your job.

Terrorism
If there’s a Terrorist Act in the city you’re departing from or at your destination, you could be reimbursed for your trip costs if you get one of our plans.

Miscellaneous reasons
You’re called for jury duty, for instance, or you’re a student and your school year was extended due to weather. Plans vary greatly on the number and type of miscellaneous reasons they cover, so read the plan details to be sure of specific terms and conditions that may apply.

Not only do you need to understand what’s covered with trip insurance, but you need to understand how it’s covered, too. Many plans cover trip cancellation at 100% of your insured trip cost and trip interruption at more than 100%, so make sure you’re comfortable with how your plan pays before you buy.

See our list of covered reasons for more details

Other travel insurance coverages aren’t as sought-after as medical and cancellation/interruption, but they’re still important. Here’s what to look for:

Baggage

Baggage coverage can reimburse you if your bags are lost, stolen, or damaged. There are restrictions on what’s covered and how much you can be reimbursed, and you’ll also need receipts for the lost or damaged items, or you’ll only get 75% of actual cash value.

Baggage Delay coverage can reimburse you up to the plan limit, for the cost of personal items that you have to buy while your baggage is delayed (baggage must be delayed a certain number of hours to qualify).

Also read: How to Keep Your Bags and Valuables Safe While Traveling

Accidental Death and Dismemberment- Travel Accident

Let’s face it: the chances are slim of you dying or losing a limb when you travel. That makes this coverage more of an extra – though should you somehow lose an eye while traveling, or are killed in a travel accident, it’s there for you.

Also read our Guide to Understand, Purchase and Use Trip Insurance

Sporting Equipment

Sporting Equipment coverage can reimburse you for the cost of skis, golf clubs, surfboards, mountain bikes and more if they’re lost or damaged.

Sporting Equipment Delay coverage can cover the cost of finding them if they’re delayed. This coverage is over-and-above traditional baggage coverage.

Rental Car Damage Coverage

This collision and damage protection offered through your travel insurance is often better (and cheaper) than the rental car agency coverage – and it can keep rental car issues from affecting your standard auto policy. Generali offers this as an add-on coverage with all three plans.

Also read: Insurance for Rental Car Damage, Where to Get it and Things to Know

Certain rental car agencies and/or jurisdictions do not accept this insurance.

Travel Services

This isn’t insurance at all, but having a Generali travel protection plan also gives you access to a 24/7 travel assistance line in case you lose your passport, get lost, need to know where the nearest embassy or consulate is, or fall victim to other travel mishaps. It’s another good ally to have on your side when you travel.

See all the services included with our plans

If you’re thinking “it makes so much sense to get trip insurance!” — then jump right in and get a quote to compare prices.

But, if you’re still not convinced that insurance for travelers is worth it, here’s our simple explanation:

Because things happen. People get sick. People lose their jobs. Things get lost. You may need help.

Everyone wants their vacation to be the trip of a lifetime, but there are no guarantees. Travel insurance is the best way to help protect your investment, and the more you understand about what can be covered and what can't, the more prepared you'll be for your trip.