Travel insurance is a valuable safety net that provides protection against the unexpected during your trip. Whether you're traveling for business, leisure, or to visit family, knowing what’s covered by your policy can give you peace of mind while you're away. But understanding what’s not covered is just as important to avoid surprises when it’s time to file a claim.

In this blog, we’ll break down what travel insurance typically covers, what’s excluded, and why it’s important to have the right coverage for your specific travel needs. If you're based in Tempe , Phoenix , Scottsdale , Tucson , Gilbert , or Chandler , we’ll also share tips on how to find the best travel insurance policy for your trip.

Travel insurance can provide coverage for a wide variety of events that might occur before or during your trip. Here are some of the most common things travel insurance covers:

Trip Cancellation: If you need to cancel your trip due to unexpected reasons (e.g., illness, injury, or a death in the family), trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for non-refundable expenses such as flight tickets, hotel bookings, and tour fees. Depending on the policy, you may be covered for specific unforeseen events, such as a natural disaster or job loss. Trip Interruption: If you’re already on your trip and have to cut it short (due to an emergency like an illness, accident, or family emergency), trip interruption insurance can cover the cost of returning home early and any additional travel expenses incurred.

Travel insurance can provide coverage for medical emergencies, especially if you’re traveling internationally where your regular health insurance might not be accepted.

Emergency Medical Expenses : If you fall ill or get injured while traveling, travel insurance can cover the cost of medical treatment, hospitalization, and sometimes even medical evacuation back to your home country. Emergency Medical Evacuation: If you’re in a remote location and need to be transported to a medical facility, travel insurance can cover the cost of evacuation.

Lost luggage can be a nightmare while traveling, and travel insurance offers protection against this issue.

Baggage Loss: If your luggage is lost or delayed for an extended period, travel insurance can help reimburse you for the cost of purchasing essential items like clothing, toiletries, and other necessities. Baggage Damage or Theft : If your baggage or personal belongings are damaged or stolen, travel insurance can help cover the cost of repairs or replacements, up to your policy’s limits.

Flight delays or missed connections can throw a wrench in your travel plans. With travel insurance, you can be reimbursed for certain expenses if your flight is delayed for a significant period of time.

Flight Delays: Some policies cover additional expenses incurred due to long delays, including meals, accommodations, and transportation to the airport. Missed Connections: If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay, travel insurance can cover additional expenses and help you book a new flight.

Many travel insurance policies offer 24/7 travel assistance services , which can be invaluable in the event of an emergency. These services might include:

Medical referrals Legal assistance Travel arrangements(e.g., booking new flights or hotel accommodations in case of an emergency) Translation services

While travel insurance offers robust coverage, there are some situations that are typically not covered. Here are some of the most common exclusions :

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: Most travel insurance policies do not cover medical expenses related to pre-existing conditions (e.g., chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, or asthma). However, some providers offer policies with an added rider or waiver for pre-existing conditions, which can be added to your policy for an extra fee if you qualify. Acts of War or Terrorism: While travel insurance policies may cover medical emergencies and trip cancellations due to terrorism or civil unrest in some cases, certain events related to war or terrorism may be excluded, depending on the insurance provider and policy type. Be sure to carefully review your policy to understand the specific exclusions related to these events. Intentional or Reckless Acts: Travel insurance will not cover injuries or damages that occur due to reckless or intentional behavior. For example, if you get hurt while engaging in risky activities like extreme sports or illegal activities, your insurance may not provide coverage. Alcohol or Drug-Related Incidents: In most cases, if an accident or injury occurs while you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs, your travel insurance may not cover the expenses. Insurance providers typically exclude coverage for incidents that are directly related to intoxication. Non-Refundable Travel Costs (When Not Covered Under the Policy): If you cancel your trip for reasons that are not covered under your travel insurance policy (such as changing your mind or a work-related decision), you may not be able to get reimbursed for non-refundable travel costs. It’s important to check the list of covered cancellation reasons before purchasing a policy. Natural Disasters or Weather Events (Excluding Specific Coverage): While some travel insurance policies provide coverage for cancellations due to weather-related events like hurricanes or blizzards, others may not. If you’re traveling to a region that’s prone to natural disasters , you may need to purchase additional coverage to protect against these specific risks. Missing or Lost Documents: Most policies do not cover expenses related to lost or stolen passports, visas, or other essential travel documents. However, some policies may offer a limited amount of coverage for this type of loss, including expenses for replacing documents or helping with travel arrangements.

Choosing the right travel insurance depends on your specific travel needs, the type of trip you’re taking, and the risks involved. Here are a few tips to help you find the best policy:

Know your trip’s risks: Consider your destination, the length of your trip, and any activities you’ll be doing (e.g., adventure sports, cruises, etc.). This will help you identify which coverage options you need. Compare policies : Look at different travel insurance providers and compare their offerings to find the policy that best suits your needs. Pay attention to what’s included and excluded in each policy. Check for exclusions: Make sure you understand what is not covered by the policy, so you’re not caught off guard if something goes wrong. Consider the cost: While it may be tempting to opt for the cheapest policy, ensure that the coverage limits are sufficient for your needs. It’s worth investing in comprehensive protection for peace of mind.

When you’re in Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Gilbert, or Chandler, a local insurance agent can help guide you through the process of selecting the right travel insurance policy. With personalized advice and a better understanding of the local risks, you can make an informed decision about the best coverage for your trip.

At Riseson Insurance , we offer expert advice on travel insurance, helping you find the coverage that’s right for your needs. Call us today at 602-460-5470 to get started and ensure your next adventure is protected.

What’s Covered by Travel Insurance?

Medical Emergencies

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Baggage

Flight Delays or Missed Connections

Travel Assistance Services

What’s Not Covered by Travel Insurance?

How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance Policy

Why Work with a Local Agent?

• Trip Cancellation: If you need to cancel your trip due to unexpected reasons (e.g., illness, injury, or a death in the family), trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for non-refundable expenses such as flight tickets, hotel bookings, and tour fees. Depending on the policy, you may be covered for specific unforeseen events, such as a natural disaster or job loss.
• Trip Interruption: If you’re already on your trip and have to cut it short (due to an emergency like an illness, accident, or family emergency), trip interruption insurance can cover the cost of returning home early and any additional travel expenses incurred.

• Emergency Medical Expenses : If you fall ill or get injured while traveling, travel insurance can cover the cost of medical treatment, hospitalization, and sometimes even medical evacuation back to your home country.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation: If you’re in a remote location and need to be transported to a medical facility, travel insurance can cover the cost of evacuation.

• Baggage Loss: If your luggage is lost or delayed for an extended period, travel insurance can help reimburse you for the cost of purchasing essential items like clothing, toiletries, and other necessities.
• Baggage Damage or Theft : If your baggage or personal belongings are damaged or stolen, travel insurance can help cover the cost of repairs or replacements, up to your policy’s limits.

• Flight Delays: Some policies cover additional expenses incurred due to long delays, including meals, accommodations, and transportation to the airport.
• Missed Connections: If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay, travel insurance can cover additional expenses and help you book a new flight.

• Medical referrals
• Legal assistance
• Travel arrangements(e.g., booking new flights or hotel accommodations in case of an emergency)
• Translation services

• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: Most travel insurance policies do not cover medical expenses related to pre-existing conditions (e.g., chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, or asthma). However, some providers offer policies with an added rider or waiver for pre-existing conditions, which can be added to your policy for an extra fee if you qualify.
• Acts of War or Terrorism: While travel insurance policies may cover medical emergencies and trip cancellations due to terrorism or civil unrest in some cases, certain events related to war or terrorism may be excluded, depending on the insurance provider and policy type. Be sure to carefully review your policy to understand the specific exclusions related to these events.
• Intentional or Reckless Acts: Travel insurance will not cover injuries or damages that occur due to reckless or intentional behavior. For example, if you get hurt while engaging in risky activities like extreme sports or illegal activities, your insurance may not provide coverage.
• Alcohol or Drug-Related Incidents: In most cases, if an accident or injury occurs while you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs, your travel insurance may not cover the expenses. Insurance providers typically exclude coverage for incidents that are directly related to intoxication.
• Non-Refundable Travel Costs (When Not Covered Under the Policy): If you cancel your trip for reasons that are not covered under your travel insurance policy (such as changing your mind or a work-related decision), you may not be able to get reimbursed for non-refundable travel costs. It’s important to check the list of covered cancellation reasons before purchasing a policy.
• Natural Disasters or Weather Events (Excluding Specific Coverage): While some travel insurance policies provide coverage for cancellations due to weather-related events like hurricanes or blizzards, others may not. If you’re traveling to a region that’s prone to natural disasters , you may need to purchase additional coverage to protect against these specific risks.
• Missing or Lost Documents: Most policies do not cover expenses related to lost or stolen passports, visas, or other essential travel documents. However, some policies may offer a limited amount of coverage for this type of loss, including expenses for replacing documents or helping with travel arrangements.

• Know your trip’s risks: Consider your destination, the length of your trip, and any activities you’ll be doing (e.g., adventure sports, cruises, etc.). This will help you identify which coverage options you need.
• Compare policies : Look at different travel insurance providers and compare their offerings to find the policy that best suits your needs. Pay attention to what’s included and excluded in each policy.
• Check for exclusions: Make sure you understand what is not covered by the policy, so you’re not caught off guard if something goes wrong.
• Consider the cost: While it may be tempting to opt for the cheapest policy, ensure that the coverage limits are sufficient for your needs. It’s worth investing in comprehensive protection for peace of mind.