ED U C AT I O N
Five Things You May Not Know Abut Travel Insurance
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Travel insurance has always been an important factor in any group trip. But now, when unpredictable situations seem to arise around almost ever y corner, it’s more important to have than ever. But more than having it, it’s v ital to truly understand what travel insurance is and what it can do for you. Groups Today connected w it h Ma rk Ceslow it z, President of Trav ma rk, to lea rn f ive t hings t hat g roup t ravel professionals should k now about travel insurance if they don’t already.
“BUYING EARLY” DOESN’T GUARANTEE MEDICAL CANCELL ATIONS ARE COVERED. According to Ceslow it z, many assume t hat purchasing t ravel i nsu ra nce ea rly automat ica l ly g ua ra ntees c ov er a ge for a n y me d ic a l i s s ue t h at a r i s e s b efor e depar ture. W hile early purchase is impor tant, it doesn’t eliminate all condit ions. “Most adv isors/operators are aware t hat if a t raveler purchases coverage ‘early’ (depending on policy usually w ithin 14–21 days of the initial trip deposit), the traveler is el ig ible to wa ive a pre-ex ist i ng med ica l cond it ion i f t hey a re not d isabled f rom t ravel at t i me of t ravel insurance purchase,” Ceslow itz explained, noting limits. “A sick ness or injur y st i l l needs to occur af ter t hey purchase coverage, and t he traveler must be seen by a physician who needs to determine that the traveler is not able to travel,” he added. “Many adv isors/operators and travelers assume that as long as the traveler purchases
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‘ea rly,’ t hen a ny med ica l issue w i l l be covered, but documenting when the sick ness or injur y occurred and obtaining treatment by a physician are still required.” CANCEL FOR ANY REASON ISN’T JUST FOR INDECISION—IT CAN BE A MEDICAL SAFETY NET. Ca ncel For A ny Rea son (CFA R) coverage i s of ten positioned as protection for travelers who change their minds, but Ceslow itz says it ser ves a broader purpose. “Obtaining Cancel For A ny Reason is impor tant not just for the abilit y to change your mind, but it can also provide a backstop if the medical reason for cancellation did not occur or is not documented as required by t he t ravel i nsu ra nce pol ic y,” Ceslow it z sha red. “Ca ncel For Any Reason is important to present to travelers not just for ‘change of mind’ or ‘fear of travel,’ but because medical reasons to be covered under t rip cancellat ion have specific requirements.”