✓ Master Checklist

The United States Travel Insurance Checklist:
Get It Right, Get Paid

This checklist ensures travelers of all ages secure the right coverage and avoid the common mistakes that lead to claim denials.

By following this checklist, any traveler can confidently select and manage their travel insurance, turning it from a confusing purchase into a reliable safety net.

How to Use This Checklist

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Check off items as you complete each step - this page is fully interactive!
Work through each phase in order - from preparation through purchase to departure

1 Phase 1: Before You Buy – Choose the Right Coverage

1. Honestly Assess Your Trip & Travel Style:

• Adventure Seeker? You need robust medical coverage and must scrutinize the hazardous activities clause. A standard policy may not cover skiing, scuba diving, or mountain climbing.
• Family Traveler? Look for policies with generous trip cancellation reasons (like a child's school closure or a caregiver's illness) and family-friendly terms.
• Business Traveler? Ensure coverage for business equipment (laptops, cameras) and trip interruption due to work commitments, if needed.
• Backpacker/Long-Term Traveler? A specialized long-stay or backpacker travel medical policy is more cost-effective than a comprehensive plan for a short, pre-paid trip.

2. Understand Your Existing Coverage Gaps:

• Health Insurance: Check your domestic health plan's "out-of-network" or "international coverage" section. Most U.S. health plans (including employer-sponsored ones) offer little to no coverage outside the country. Do not assume you are covered.
• Credit Card Insurance: Review the travel insurance benefits that come with your premium credit card.
- ◦ What it's good for: Often provides solid trip cancellation/interruption and rental car collision coverage.
- ◦ Where it falls short: Medical limits are often very low ($50,000 or less), medical evacuation may be insufficient, and it may not cover pre-existing conditions. You must typically pay for your trip with that card to activate the benefits.

3. Scrutinize the "Pre-Existing Medical Condition" Clause:

• This isn't just for seniors! A "pre-existing condition" can be anything from a recently resolved infection to a managed chronic condition like asthma or anxiety.
• Look for the Waiver: Just like with senior policies, the Pre-Existing Condition Waiver is key. To qualify, you typically must:
- ◦ Buy the policy within 10-21 days of your first trip payment.
- ◦ Be medically fit to travel when you buy it.
- ◦ Insure the full trip cost.

4. Ensure Adequate Medical & Evacuation Coverage:

• Medical: Minimum of $100,000. For destinations with high medical costs (like Europe or the Caribbean) or for adventure travel, $250,000 - $500,000 is recommended.
• Medical Evacuation: Minimum of $100,000. For remote destinations (e.g., hiking in Nepal, sailing in the Caribbean), $250,000+ is strongly advised.

5. Match "Cancel For Any Reason" (CFAR) to Your Risk:

• Consider CFAR if: Your job is unstable, you have elderly parents, or you simply want maximum flexibility. Remember, it typically adds 40-60% to the premium and only reimburses 50-75% of your trip cost. Must be purchased soon after your initial deposit.

6. Check for Key Endorsements You Might Need:

• Adventure Sports Rider: If you plan to ski, snowboard, scuba dive, etc. Never assume these are covered.
• Rental Car Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Often called "Loss Damage Waiver." This can save you money versus buying the expensive coverage from the rental car company. Liability insurance is usually NOT included.
• "Workation" Coverage: If you plan to work remotely, standard policies may not cover your laptop as "business equipment." Check the limits and definitions.

2 Phase 2: While Applying – The Devil is in the Details

1. Disclose ALL Pre-Existing Conditions:

• This includes mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety) and injuries for which you are in physical therapy. When in doubt, disclose.

2. Be Precise with Trip Details:

• Destination: List every country, even for a layover. A claim during a connection in another country may not be covered if that country isn't listed.
• Travelers: Ensure the ages of all travelers are correct. Adding a traveler outside the age range can void coverage.
• Total Trip Cost: Insure the total, non-refundable amount you've paid. Do not include refundable expenses.

3. Declare All High-Value Items:

• If you are traveling with a professional camera, a drone, or expensive jewelry, the standard "personal effects" limit may be too low. You may need to schedule these items separately.

3 Phase 3: After You Buy – Protect Your Investment

1. Save and Distribute Your Documents:

• Save the Policy Document (the full contract) and the Proof of Insurance summary. Email copies to yourself and a trusted contact back home.

2. Carry the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Number:

• Save this number in your phone. This is your first call in a medical emergency—not your family, not your doctor. They coordinate and guarantee payment for care.

3. Understand the Claims Process Before You Need It:

• For Theft: You must file a police report within 24 hours to have any hope of a successful claim.
• For Medical Care: Contact the assistance number before seeking non-emergency care, or as soon as possible after an emergency.
• Keep Everything: Get itemized bills from hospitals, receipts for everything, and doctor's notes explaining why your trip was interrupted.

4 Phase 4: Traveler-Specific Risk Mitigation

1. For Families:

• Check if the policy has a "Family Plan" that automatically covers children under a certain age for free or a reduced rate when traveling with a parent.
• Ensure "School or Camp Closure" is listed as a valid trip cancellation reason if traveling during the school year.

2. For Adventure Travelers:

• Read the "Hazardous Activities" list in the policy document carefully. It's not just about extreme sports; it can include things like riding a moped or even hiking above a certain altitude.

3. For Those Visiting Family Abroad:

• Be extra vigilant about the medical coverage limits. You are more likely to extend your trip or face situations where you need medical care, and you should not rely on your host's local insurance.

4. General Rule: "Medically Fit to Travel":

• On the day you buy the policy and the day you depart, you must be medically fit to travel. This means no undisclosed new symptoms, no pending test results, and no conditions that would cause a reasonable person to seek treatment or cancel their trip.

The Universal "Do Not Skip" Summary

1. Your U.S. Health Plan is NOT Global Health Insurance: Assume it covers nothing once you leave the country.
2. Your Credit Card Coverage Has Gaps: It's great for trip cancellation but weak on medical and evacuation.
3. The Pre-Existing Condition Waiver is a Deadline: Buy your insurance early to lock in this crucial protection.
4. Adventure Requires a Rider: Never assume your sport is covered.
5. Honesty is Non-Negotiable: Disclose everything on the application. A small omission can void your entire policy.
6. The Emergency Number is a Lifeline: It's in your phone and your travel buddy's phone. Call them first.

Now you're ready to shop with confidence! Use this checklist as your guide throughout the insurance selection process.

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The United States Travel Insurance Checklist:Get It Right, Get Paid