Travel insurance is one of the most important things to check on your list when preparing for a holiday no matter the duration. It prevents you from incurring unnecessary expenses as a result of an accident while on holiday.
However, a lot of people tend to assume that their insurance policy covers everything to even the most ridiculous of things. But this is not so. Your policy can’t cover every single thing and this is why you need to check with your insurer to know the exact things that are covered and what isn’t.
In some cases, there may be clauses that will prevent you from getting your claims under certain conditions. And in other cases, your policy might just need an add-on to cover certain incidences.
To help you understand more about what not to expect from your travel insurance company, AA Insurance compiled a list of some things that are not covered by travel insurance or things that might prevent you from getting your claims.
- High-Risk Activities
Usually, there is a list of high-risk activities that are excluded from your cover written in fine prints. Some of these activities are quite obvious and examples include skydiving. However, others are what can relatively be termed “norm”, especially amongst the younger generation. Examples of these include bungee jumping, certain types of mountain trekking, cycle touring, and dinghy racing.
Getting hurt while doing any of these activities will leave you footing the whole expensive medical bill all by yourself.
- Alcohol
Regardless of how much alcohol is consumed, once it directly or indirectly results in an accident, most insurance agencies will not cover the traveler. Although vacations are meant to be a time of relaxing and letting go, you are not expected to let loose to the point of endangering yourself.
Travel insurance claims are usually treated individually. But, when there is a general exclusion as there is in cases resulting from the use of alcohol, there is no way around it.
- Staying Longer Than Intended
If for one reason or the other, you decide to extend your holiday, then you will need to extend your travel insurance also. The insurance bought is only viable for the specified period chosen by you and paid for. If you do not extend your insurance once you decide to extend your stay, then you will not be covered for anything that happens during the extra days.
It is advised to always check for things like Frequent Traveler Savers policy and also book for a bit longer than you intend to be gone for. However, you need to bear in mind that if you are extending your stay due to a claimable event then your insurer will also extend your policy for free.
- Health Crises In Existence Before Your Purchase
Travel insurance generally covers events like pandemics if you purchased them before the events are known. For example, the present case of COVID-19 pandemic can be dated to January ending and thus, all travel insurances purchased before then should be covered. However, the only way to be sure you will be covered if you buy before the event is to purchase the ‘cancel for any reason’ policy.
- Natural Disasters
Losses as a result of events like hurricanes or earthquakes are covered by your travel insurance if you purchased before the event is named. For example, if you buy a policy after a hurricane was forecasted and name, you will not be covered for any loss incurred from the event.
- Losses Due To Mental Or Emotional Disorders
Most travel insurance companies will not cover claims that result from mental or emotional conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, multiple personality disorder, and so on. However, in some quite rare instances, the policies may cover the conditions if there is a need for hospitalization.
- Losses Due To Pre-Existing Health Conditions.
Your insurance does not cover your pre-existing health issues. In case you are wondering what is termed as pre-existing, it generally depends on the time of your diagnosis and when you get your policy. The ‘look-back period’ can range from anything from 60 to 180 days before your purchase and anything condition which you’ve been showing symptoms of or treated during this period won’t be covered.
To prevent this, you can talk to your agent to inquire if there are any add-ons you can purchase to cover this specific event.
- Dental Care
Your routine dental checks are not covered by your travel insurance. However, dental trauma might be covered under some conditions. Some policies only cover damage to ‘sound natural teeth’. Therefore, you need to confirm precisely what your policy covers.
- Traveling To Dangerous Zones
Your travel insurance will not cover any loss incurred as a result of traveling to places marked as dangerous. So, when going to areas like this, you will need to take extra precautions to prevent or at least minimize incidents.
- Terror Attacks
Most insurance policies do not cover a terror attack. Before traveling, you should check with your insurer to confirm if you are covered for canceled or delayed flights and medical expenses as a result of terror attacks. And when you do find yourself in a tight situation as a result of a terror attack, you should find a way to contact the Irish Embassy in the country as your insurance policy will most likely not cover you.
- Pregnancy And Childbirth
Your travel insurance will not cover your medical expenses if you give birth while traveling. However, in the event of complications as a result of the pregnancy or childbirth, you might be covered. This is another event you need to confirm with your insurer before traveling.
- Bad Weather
You are also not covered if bad weather prevents you from taking part in some of the activities you had planned. However, if you purchased the ‘cancel for any reason’ policy, then you can cancel your vacation just because of a drizzle.
- Flights Paid For With Miles
Travel insurance does not cover flights paid for with miles or points. However, in the event of a cancelation, they may cover the associated payments.
- Traveling For Medical Procedures
If you will be traveling for a medical procedure that you can either not get at home or is too expensive to get at home, then you should know that your travel insurance will not cover issues you may encounter while traveling.
- Scams
If you end up falling for a scam such as buying a fake ticket to an event or activity while traveling, your travel insurance will not be covering that loss as you are expected to make sure you are using a trusted source.
Now that you have been educated on some things not to expect from your travel insurance, it will be best to head over to your insurer to find out more about exactly what you will be covered and not covered for.
Safe trip!