Annual travel insurance plans are a great option for frequent travelers. These plans typically bundle trip cancellation, medical coverage and other benefits into one affordable package.
Many people choose these plans for their convenience and cost savings. However, it’s important to know what you are getting into with these types of policies.
1. Coverage for Trip Cancellation
Annual plans are a great option for travelers who are planning multiple trips within a year. They offer convenience and savings, and they often provide more coverage than single trip policies.
Many annual plans include pre-existing condition coverage. For example, if you tore your hamstring last year and had a round of physical therapy, some annual travel insurance policies cover acute flare-ups as part of the medical coverage.
A basic annual plan may not include trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage. However, it can still provide important travel-related benefits such as emergency medical and lost luggage coverage.
2. Coverage for Trip Interruption
Annual travel insurance policies typically don’t include trip cancellation coverage, but they do offer other benefits like medical and evacuation coverage. They work a little differently than single-trip policies and are more cost-effective, especially for frequent travelers who take last-minute trips.
Post-Departure Trip Interruption Benefit: We will reimburse you for additional transportation costs to rejoin Your Trip or transport you back to your originally scheduled return destination if Your Trip is interrupted after you have already departed, each by the most direct route available. Coverage is only provided if the unforeseen event that causes you to interrupt Your Trip is a Covered Event as defined in this Policy and takes place while this Plan is in effect.
3. Coverage for Trip Delay
Annual multi trip travel insurance policies typically offer this coverage as part of their packages. It reimburses a policyholder for expenses click here hotel accommodations and meals when their travel is delayed for covered reasons.
Delays on airlines and other types of commercial transport like buses, trains or passenger boats are eligible under this benefit. The amount that can be reimbursed per delay and other requirements will vary from policy to policy.
Tunnah with World Nomads says that it’s important to keep in mind that there are usually limits on how much the insurance company will reimburse. She recommends sticking to a reasonable budget when planning to spend during delays and saving receipts so you can submit them for reimbursement.
4. Coverage for Trip Disruption
Buying an annual plan can save money compared to purchasing travel insurance on a per-trip basis. It also alleviates the stress of having to worry about finding a new plan each time you travel, making it an excellent option for frequent travelers.
Whether you’re planning one big trip for the year or a series of weekend getaways, there are several things to consider before buying an annual travel policy. Most importantly, make sure you understand the coverage and benefits. Ultimately, it’s worth it to be protected on every trip. And that peace of mind is priceless.
5. Coverage for Trip Accident
With an annual plan, you can get reimbursed for prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses if you have to cancel your plans due to an epidemic illness. This is an added benefit that most other travel insurance plans do not offer.
Many annual plans also cover the cost of emergency medical care and repatriation if necessary. The coverage amount varies depending on the plan you choose, but can be worth it in the event that something goes wrong.
Some annual plans provide coverage for acute flare-ups of pre-existing conditions, like a sore hamstring that reoccurs after physical therapy. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions before purchasing a policy.
6. Coverage for Emergency Medical Evacuation
Typically included in comprehensive travel insurance plans, medical evacuation coverage helps cover transportation costs to an appropriate facility for care in the event of a serious illness or injury. It may not cover a flight home requiring specialized equipment and medical escort or airfare to your home hospital, which is where medical transport membership programs like Medjet pick up the pieces.
If you break your leg while skiing in the Swiss Alps and the local medical center lacks adequate doctors, equipment or supplies, the cost of getting you back to home could be exorbitant. With Medjet, you can be transported from a remote location to the hospital of your choice.