Questions to ask before buying travel insurance

Work out what you need

Start with what is already covered. Your health insurance may not cover care abroad. Some credit cards include limited travel benefits with conditions. List the risks you most want covered.

Read the policy wording

Look for covered reasons for cancellation, pre-existing condition rules, activity exclusions, deductibles, claim limits and documentation requirements. Note when coverage starts and the purchase deadline for certain benefits.

Medical and evacuation cover

Medical care abroad can be expensive and some hospitals require payment up front. Evacuation cover matters for remote destinations. The State Department lists resources on insurance for travelers.

If you need to claim

Keep receipts, written statements from the airline or provider, and medical reports. Notify the insurer as the policy requires. Many policies require you to report a claim within a set time and to first seek compensation from the airline or provider responsible. Photograph damaged items and keep the original boarding passes and baggage tags until the claim is finished.

Comparing policies side by side

Lay two or three policies next to each other and compare the same items: medical limit, evacuation limit, cancellation reasons, delay threshold and benefit, baggage limits, deductibles and exclusions for activities you plan. A cheaper policy with a long exclusion list may not cover the trip you are taking.

Check whether the policy is primary or secondary for medical costs, which affects whether you must claim from other insurance first.

When to buy

Some benefits, such as waivers for pre-existing conditions or cancel-for-any-reason options, may only be available if you buy within a set period after your first trip payment. If those matter, look at insurance early in planning, not the week before departure.

Insurance does not usually cover events that were already known when you bought it, such as a named storm or an announced strike.

Keep the details private

Keep policy numbers and medical information in your own secure notes, not in shared trip plans. Share only the insurer’s emergency number and how to reach you with travel companions.