FAQs

• What is Travel Insurance?
  Insurance coverage against losses you may incur while traveling, which are separated into pre-departure and post-departure benefits. Types of travel insurance coverages include: Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Delay, Emergency Medical & Dental Expense, Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation, Lost Baggage & Baggage Delay, 24-hour Travel Assistance Services, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Flight Accident, and more.
• When should I buy Travel Insurance?
  The latest date you can purchase it is the day before you travel. Some policies are even available for purchase same day of travel. However, we recommend that you always purchase your travel insurance as soon as possible in order to qualify for all benefits.
• Why is it important to buy Travel Insurance sooner than later?
  You will qualify for the most plan benefits and be eligible to receive coverage enhancements if you purchase your plan within 7 to 21 days (varies by company) from your initial trip payment/deposit. While some benefits don’t start until the day the trip begins, benefits such as Trip Cancellation protect you from the day you purchase your plan.
• What is considered the initial Trip Payment/Deposit Date?
  It is the date when the first payment or deposit is made towards your trip. This is the date the check is written, not the date it is cashed.
• What is the effective date of the insurance?
  The effective date, or coverage start date, will depend on the plan and the type of coverage you select. However it is usually begins the day after you purchase a policy.
• How do I determine the total cost of my trip?
  To determine the insurable cost of the trip, add together the cost of all of your prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses.
• What factors affect my Travel Insurance Premium?
  Premiums will vary by the insurance company. Other factors include: age of the traveler/s, cost of the trip, duration of the trip, deductible, and benefit limits selected.
• One of the members of our family is much older than the rest of us. Can that raise the price of the premium?
  Yes, since on the factors that determine plan premiums is age of the traveler.
• Do Travel Insurance plans have deductibles?
  Yes, some plans do require you to pay a deductible before any medical benefits are paid by the policy. Different plans offer difference deductible amounts.
• What is a deductible?
  A deductible is the amount that must be paid by the insured before any benefits are received from the policy. Different policies have different deductible amounts.
• What is the difference between primary and secondary coverage?
  This has to do in which order claims are paid. Travel insurance plans that offer primary coverage means that claims are filed directly with the insurance company and plan benefits are paid first. With secondary coverage, you may be required to exhaust any other existing insurance you have before filing a claim with the travel insurance company.
• What if I want to buy Travel Insurance for someone else?You may buy Travel Insurance for someone else, but it is a requirement that the insured person be aware that insurance has been taken out on them.
• Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to buy Travel Insurance?
  No, many plans are available to non-U.S. citizens.
• It is best to buy a family Travel Insurance plan or to buy individual policies?It is best to buy a family plan if possible, as the rates are lower. Under most plans, a family unit is a father, mother and dependent children under the age of 22. But other relatives may qualify, such as grandparents, depending on the plan.
• Can more than one traveler be insured under one policy?
  Yes, you can have multiple travelers insured under one policy. However, some Travel Insurance plans require travelers to be related or dependents to be insured under one policy. Also insurance companies have group plans available. A group is typically 10 or more travelers, but it depends on the insurance company.
• Is it possible to insure the rental of a house or condo?
  All of the companies on our website will provide reimbursement of a villa, condo or other rental property as long as there is a written agreement/contract between the insured and the renter. Reimbursement of your prepaid and non-refundable cost will be made if the trip cancellation or interruption was caused by a peril named in the policy.
• Who should be insured for Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance?
  Anyone who has prepaid, non-refundable expenses in their name, including minors.
• How do I know how much coverage I need for Trip Cancellation?
  It is suggested that the coverage equal the total non-refundable costs of the trip that are paid before the trip begins.
• Will my Travel Insurance plan cover the cost of airline tickets purchased with frequent flyer miles?
  Currently, travel insurance plans do not cover airline tickets purchased with frequent flyer miles because no money has been paid for the ticket. Most plans do cover the non- refundable tax portion; upgrade costs and the fee to reinstate your frequent flyer miles. However, in the event you do have to end your trip earlier have expected you should still insure yourself with enough trip interruption coverage to cover the cost of an economy ticket home plus the cost of any unused, nonrefundable land arrangements that you might lose if you have to interrupt your trip.
• If I won a trip through a charitable auction or award, can I insure it?
  No. Travel Insurance will not cover any trips won through a charitable auction, contests, or award since there is no financial loss for the cost of the trip.
• Is terrorism ever covered by Travel Insurance plans?
  Yes, just click on the email quote button on the top of the quote page, and email the quote to you or your friends.
• Is Pregnancy covered under Travel Insurance policies?
  Most medical plans exclude pregnancy from coverage. Some plans will cover the pregnancy if it caused a lifethreatening complication that ended your trip.
• Can I cancel for any reason?
  Most companies have a ‘free look period’ after you buy the policy during which you can cancel and get a refund of the premium minus a nonrefundable processing fee charged by the insurance company. It is usually a 10-14 days. Additionally, travel insurance plans have specific reasons, called “covered reasons,” that refund any prepaid, nonrefundable payments in the event of a trip cancellation or interruption. Be sure to examine the policies to find out what their covered reasons are. Many Travel Insurance plans now offer as an optional benefit which allows you to "cancel for any reason" and get a refund up 100% of the nonrefundable trip cost in the event you cancel for a non covered reason. To be eligible certain conditions must be met which include: purchasing insurance within 14-15 days of your initial trip deposit, insuring the full prepaid trip costs and you must cancel 2 days or more prior to your departure date.
• Where do I file a claim?
  In the event of a claim, please contact your Travel Insurance Company directly. You will be provided with your company’s specific toll free claims number and mailing address.
• What is a pre-existing condition?
  A pre-existing condition is an illness, diagnosis or injury that exists or requires medical treatment (60-180 days) prior to the purchase of the travel insurance policy. Many plans offer a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver if you purchase them within 7-21 days of your initial trip payment/deposit. While other plans will waive the pre-existing condition exclusion if purchased before making the final trip payment/deposit.
• What if I buy coverage, but then decide I either don’t want it or need it?
  Check the details of your particular plan. Most plans have a certain free look period allowing you to cancel the policy prior to departure date. This period varies from company to company, but 10 to 14 days from the date of purchase is common. Some policies even allow you to cancel after your departure date, but do charge a penalty fee.
• How do I get help while I'm on my trip?
  All the companies listed on our website offer emergency travel assistance, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Check your plan information for the contact numbers.
• If I have to cancel my trip, is there Travel Insurance that will cover the cost of my ticket?
  Yes, you can purchase a plan with Trip Cancellation Coverage that will reimburse you for the cost of your ticket and other pre-paid, non-refundable costs.
• It’s hard to know what type of coverage I need and what company to choose. How do I decide?
  Use AtlasAssist’s quoting engine and comprehensive comparison tools to find the best plans to fit your needs. Answer a few simple questions and we will provide you with the available plans that meet your trip parameters. Compare the plans listed to make an informed decision and choose the best plan for you. You can also browse our Products page for information on the many plans, coverage’s, and plan categories available.
• I want to share a quote with friends. Can I email them a quote?
  Yes, once you get your free quote just click on the email quote button on the top of the quote page, and email the quote to you or your friends.
• I want to save a quote for future reference, but I can’t print it out right now. What should I do?
  You can either email the quote to yourself or create a customer account with us which will allow you to save your quote.
• Okay, I’m ready. How do I purchase a Travel Insurance plan?
  The AtlasAssist web site makes the process of buying travel Insurance quick and easy. First step is to get your free comparison quote. Once you select the plan you want, click on the “Buy” button next to the quote you’ve chosen and follow the steps. You will receive an order confirmation of your purchase via email. And always know when you purchase from AtlasAssist, your information is safe and secure.