Decoding travel insurance lingo for a clear understanding
Unleashing the Insurance Jargon Jungle
Navigating the dense world of insurance verbiage can be a daunting task, but we've got your back! Here's a rundown of common terms you'll encounter in your travel insurance plan so you can travel like a pro!
Insurance Slang Simplified
Thrill-seekers' safety net: An optional extra that provides coverage for medical and transportation costs related to accidents during high-risk activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping, motocross, or free diving. Always double-check your policy to verify the list of covered sports.
Travel insurance trick pony: A flexible add-on that allows you to cancel a trip for virtually any reason (not just the typical reasons), up to 48 hours before departure. Perfect for unforeseen changes of heart or unexpected hiccups in your schedule.
Claim panache: The process of submitting evidence of a warranted event (such as a medical emergency or travel delay) to your insurer for reimbursement. Approvals and payments depend on your unique policy's coverage. If you're traveling with our platform, here's an effortless guide to filing a claim in a few easy steps.
Crutch care: Medical care that demands immediate assistance while traveling and is covered by your plan. This may include hospital visits, urgent care, or consultations with doctors.
Ambulance or Medevac ticket: Transportation to the nearest medical facility equipped to manage your condition in the instance of a significant injury or illness.
Medical bills, prescriptions, and hospital stays - oh, my!: Coverage for unanticipated medical bills accrued during your travels, including doctor appointments, hospital stays, and prescription medications.
Coverage confusion:
- Subordinate (Secondary) coverage: Activates only after any other insurance (like your health or homeowners' insurance) has paid out.
- Superior (Primary) coverage: Payouts occur first, meaning you don't have to file an insurance claim with another provider before your travel insurance reimburses you.
Forbidden fruits: Situations, events, or activities excluded from your travel insurance coverage.
Peek into the past: The period an insurance provider examines your medical history to decide if a condition is considered pre-existing. This period spans from 60 to 180 days before purchasing your plan.
Pet health care expenses archive: The process of covering veterinary expenses for your pet if they fall ill or require isolation while you're traveling with them. Quarantine means that your traveling companion is confined to strict medical isolation by recognized authorities if they are thought to have, or indeed have, a contagious disease, infection or contamination.
Pre-existing problems: Any health issues you were diagnosed with before you purchased travel insurance. To be compensated for cancellations or interruptions due to a pre-existing condition, you generally need to:
- Buy the policy within two weeks of your initial deposit on the trip
- Be medically fit to travel when you purchase the plan
Number cruncher: This refers to the order of payment when you file an insurance claim. For example, if you purchase a travel insurance plan with superior emergency medical benefits, that means the travel insurance company pays first for those benefits.
Locomotion protection: A feature available as an add-on to your travel insurance policy that covers expenses related to car rental accidents and theft.
Send-off service: If you fall ill or get injured while traveling, your insurer will arrange for your safe return home for further treatment. In addition, send-off service encompasses managing the necessary transportation home in the event of your passing from illness or injury during the trip.
Health Consult-a-Town: A telemedicine service that allows you to consult with licensed physicians 24/7. Some providers may also offer prescription drugs when legally permissible. Our website's users traveling from more than 75 countries benefit from a telemedicine offering via Air Doctor.
Cancellation conundrum: Coverage for the refund of non-refundable travel expenses if you need to cancel a trip due to a covered reason, such as:
- Serious illness or injury
- Death of a covered person
- Natural disasters or airline strikes
Delay domino effect: When a traveler must miss or shorten part of their trip due to circumstances beyond their control, such as flight delays or passport theft. This coverage can help reimburse them for lost prepaid expenses and additional costs to get home.
Trip snags and road bumps: Difficulties faced by the traveler during their trip due to flight delays, cancellations, security delays, or late hotel arrival.
Mid-voyage interruptions: When a traveler is forced to cut their trip short or extend their trip due to unexpected circumstances, such as an emergency at home or illness abroad, altering their planned departure time.
Appointment that can't be rescheduled: Medical care that should not be delayed but doesn't endanger your life.
Shield for your vacation pad: An add-on to your travel insurance policy that grants coverage for any unintended damage to a vacation rental (such as Airbnb or Vrbo) during your stay, like broken furniture or stained carpeting.
One-size-fits-all travel insurance: Comprehensive coverage that protects your entire trip, starting from when you leave home until you return. Our website offers complete trip protection that covers your trip, your health, and your possessions. Review our coverage options here.
Still puzzled about our platform's coverage?
Our customer support team is open 24/7, 365 days a year - even on weekends and holidays. You can get in touch with us via the app on iOS or Android or shoot us an email at support@our website.
Craving more travel wisdom?
Discover expert suggestions on travel insurance, planning your trip, and staying safe while wandering the globe. Read more here.
Embracing lifestyle enhancements and overall wellness: The integration of fitness-and-exercise routines and health-and-wellness practices into your travel experience, such as booking a hotel with a gym or spa, or researching local yoga classes or running routes.
Pre-trip preparation: A checklist of essential items and tasks to be completed before departure, including obtaining a valid passport, securing travel visas, researching local customs, and double-checking flight details.
Unforeseen travel events and handling them with science: Using data and analytics to anticipate and manage potential flight delays, cancellations, or other travel disruptions, ensuring a smoother journey.
Airfare costs and smart savings: Utilizing science-backed data to compare and find the best deals on flights, maximizing your travel budget and helping to reduce the impact on the environment.
Sustainable travel initiatives and the importance of eco-conscious choices: Choosing eco-friendly hotels, limiting single-use plastics, and decreasing carbon footprints to minimize the negative environmental impact during your travels.
Avoiding common travel scams: Understanding common methods of deception, such as overcharging for services or counterfeit products, and taking precautions to safeguard your belongings and financial information during your travels.
