What travel insurance actually covers: From dental to missed flights
What travel insurance actually covers will vary based on the policy you buy but here are the common things that you can typically expect to be covered and exclusions you need to prepare for.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Many major insurance providers typically offer some level of emergency dental coverage, but there are limits to what is covered and the benefits may be smaller than other forms of medical care. These plans can help with unexpected dental injuries like breaking a tooth while traveling, sudden unexpected pain or requiring an emergency procedure.
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However, routine dental care, elective procedures or issues that existed before the trip are usually excluded, Chrissy Valdez, senior director of operations at Squaremouth, told Newsweek.
For U.S. travelers, World Nomads plans may provide coverage for sudden dental pain, unexpected infections or mouth and jaw injuries resulting from an accident, Christina Tunnah, Head of the Americas at World Nomads, told Newsweek.
Other providers have similar plans. For example, Allianz Travel Insurance and Seven Corners offer up to $750 in emergency dental coverage while excluding routine dental services, such as teeth cleaning and cosmetic procedures.
Am I Covered if I Miss My Flight?
Whether travel insurance will cover missed flights depends on your policy and why you missed the flight.
“Many policies include ‘missed connection’ or ‘travel delay’ benefits when the cause is outside your control: a delayed first flight, severe weather, a car accident on the way to the airport or a strike,” Lisa Conway, chief insurance officer at AirHelp, told Newsweek. “Those benefits can pay for catch-up costs like a new ticket or an extra hotel night.”
For example, Travel Guard provides missed connection coverage on select plans, including Deluxe, Preferred, Pack N Go and Annual. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers similar benefits through some of its ExactCare plans.
But if the missed flight is caused by your errors, like oversleeping and being late, you’re generally not covered.
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, check what the airline owes you first, Conway recommends. “Often, passengers have legal rights to rebooking and sometimes compensation, regardless of insurance.”
Travel insurance is designed to cover the costs of unforeseen medical emergencies and pregnancy can be seen as a pre-existing condition, so it is typically excluded from coverage.
But while routine care and childbirth are not covered, some policies may cover medical treatment for unexpected complications as well as consider it a reason to cancel the trip, Conway said. “Some policies also set a cut-off, often in the late second or third trimester, after which pregnancy-related cover stops. Anyone traveling while pregnant should read that section closely and check the week limits before buying.”
Does Travel Insurance Cover Rental Car Damage?
Some policies include it and others sell it as an add-on. Here’s a run-down of specific situations.
What Travel Insurance Usually Doesn’t Cover
- Known events: Travelers who purchase coverage after an event becomes known may not be covered for losses related to that event, such as weather warnings declared prior, ongoing strikes and government shutdowns.
- Pre-existing medical conditions: Unless the traveler qualifies for a waiver, issues related to known medical problems are excluded.
- Problems arising out of traveler’s decisions: Incidents involving alcohol or drugs, high-risk activities that aren’t listed, changing your mind in the middle of the trip, etc.
What Travelers Should Check Before Buying a Policy
- Existing coverage: Check what your credit card or existing health, homeowners and auto insurance already cover so you’re not paying twice, Conway recommends.
- Emergency medical coverage: “We recommend at least $50,000 in primary emergency medical coverage and $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage for international travel,” Valdez said. “For cruises and remote destinations, consider at least $100,000 in medical coverage and $250,000 in evacuation coverage.”
- Technical details: Documents required for the claim, eligibility criteria and policy exclusions.
Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Catherine Clark.
