What is Domestic Travel Insurance: The benefits of taking out Domestic Travel Insurance vary from company to company. Some companies provide a full insurance policy, including medical expenses and evacuation in the event of an accident or illness with broad coverage – whilst others offer more limited coverage in case of travel inconveniences, such as lost luggage or assistance at your destination.
Regardless of what you choose, it’s important to know exactly what you’re buying before committing to the cost. Find out how much the most basic policies cover and how much more you need for specific situations that may affect your travel plans, like driving in a foreign country.
With such a wide variety of companies covering domestic travel, it can be difficult to make the right decision. But to get started, we suggest you check out our list of the best all-inclusive travel insurance policies on offer.
What is travel insurance for?
Travel insurance takes the guesswork out of finding a policy at a reasonable price by providing cover in two important situations:
Emergency Medical Evacuation: In the event of illness, any travel insurance policy will pay for air evacuation to a place where you can receive medical care. For example, if you’re unable to fly due to an illness and need immediate treatment, your flight could be canceled and you won’t be able to fly on until reaching your destination. If that happens, your travel insurer will cover the cost of getting home or covering another journey on another airline via hospital transfer. All companies offer international assistance. Most offer worldwide assistance for medical visits and hospital appointments.
Cancellation or Interruption: If you have to cancel or cut your trip short for any reason, travel insurance can help reimburse the cost of prepaid services – from cruises and tours to flights, rental cars, and hotels.
Baggage Insurance: If you lose your checked or carry-on luggage on your trip, travel insurance will help reimburse you for the replacement cost of clothing, toiletries, and other essential items. It also helps offset some of the costs associated with replacing delayed luggage, like extra shipping fees. Check with your policy provider to see whether they cover bags that have been lost when flying within the U.S., as most only cover this incident if traveling internationally.
How much money do you need to pay in order to be covered
Travel insurance usually covers the cost of your medical expenses and evacuation home in the event of an accident or illness. Policy details will vary and it’s important to read up on your policy fully before purchasing. For example, many companies will provide protection for emergency medical transportation and evacuation but may limit their coverage to certain countries.
Some policies have a “no-claims” provision which means that if you do not file a claim by a certain time period, you will no longer be covered for that particular expense. Some policies also have specific coverage limits based on age (for example, insurance only covers the daily costs for children).
Insurance is not an alternative for due care.
In addition to needing to have travel insurance in place before your trip, it’s important to remember that you must take the same amount of care on your trip as you would have had if you were at home. If the unexpected does happen, don’t expect the insurance provider to pay for any things that weren’t taken care of properly before departure.
What is a domestic travel insurance policy?
Most companies offer a type of domestic travel insurance – usually called “Travel Insurance by American Family”. This means that you can purchase travel insurance in your home country.
Travel insurance that covers your trip while in another country is called “International Travel Insurance”.
How do I apply for domestic travel insurance?
You can apply for domestic travel insurance online, over the phone, and via the mail. If you choose to send your application via mail, make sure to return it in time for your trip or it will not be valid. Most insurers have coverage periods set up to meet holidays, so if you’re buying your policy on short notice, make sure to check the calendar and get back on time.
What are the benefits?
Domestic travel insurance tends to have the same basic coverage and limitations. Depending on your policy, you may be able to get compensation for a lost bag or delayed flight, pay for medical expenses or other costs that arise from an illness or accident during a trip, and more.
How much does domestic travel insurance cost?
Domestic travel insurance policies can be purchased as stand-alone policies, but they’re often sold as add-ons through companies such as auto insurance providers. For example, if you have car insurance through State Farm, you can get additional coverage that works like personal injury protection (PIP).
How much coverage your domestic travel policy provides will vary from company to company and you should be sure to check the fine print when making a decision. Many policies provide coverage if you cancel or interrupt your trip, or get compensated for your medical expenses if you are injured on vacation. Others also help pay for lost or delayed luggage, rental cars, and other service charges.
Who needs domestic travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required by most companies when booking airfare, so if you’re planning a domestic vacation, it’s pretty likely that your credit card company or the airline will require it before they let you board the plane – this is usually just a cash deposit in case of damages before or after the flight.
When buying travel insurance, you’ll usually be asked to present a credit card and the number of people who’ll be traveling. If you’re looking for a policy that covers an entire household, you’ll probably have to show proof that everyone who’s traveling is covered.
How much does international travel insurance cost?
Most domestic travel policies cover medical costs in the event of an accident that occurs during your trip. International coverage is usually much more limited – particularly for tour operators, so it’s typically included for optional coverage when purchasing a flight package.
Many travelers also choose to add international coverage on their auto and homeowner policies as well as their life insurance plans.