TravelSafe FAQ

At TravelSafe, we value your business. That's why we'll do everything we can to answer any questions you may have. Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about TravelSafe Insurance.

* Please note that a final claims determination is made based upon both the policy provisions and the written documentation we receive with your claim submission.

1. Can anyone purchase a TravelSafe Insurance plan? Do I need to go through a travel agent?

If you have a travel agent with which you booked your trip and they offer you the opportunity to purchase TravelSafe through them, we encourage you to book our insurance through your agent. However, any U.S. or Canadian resident(except Quebec) can purchase our insurance, as long as you are medically able to travel at the time you purchase the insurance and you are purchasing the insurance at least one day prior to departure.

2. I don't have travel insurance, but something just happened that forces me to cancel my trip. Can I buy your insurance to cover my trip cost, then file a claim to get my money back?

No! Someone doing this would be committing a criminal offense - insurance fraud. Travel insurance generally covers unforeseen circumstances which can occur after your policy is in effect. If you're even thinking about trying to commit insurance fraud, we urge you to reconsider and remember that the consequences are very severe.

3. Do you sell "cancellation-only" insurance?

Although several of our plans include trip cancellation, we don't currently offer a "cancellation-only" plan.

4. Insurance offered by my cruise line or tour operator seems a lot cheaper. Why should I insure with TravelSafe instead?

TravelSafe offers the most comprehensive coverage available. While it is possible to pay less through a cruise or tour operator, your coverage and benefits are going to be significantly less as well. Peace of mind and knowing that you have the best protection possible will allow you to relax and enjoy your vacation. There are many other advantages to insuring with a third-party provider like TravelSafe, such as protection from financial insolvency of your cruise or tour provider, 24-hour emergency assistance from anywhere in the world and direct payment to your medical provider in the event of an emergency. Plus, many cruise and tour insurance plans only cover you during the time and place they are hosting you, and only offer credit rather than cash in the event of a claim. TravelSafe protects you before, during and after your trip, and our claims are paid in cash.

5. What is the optional "Cancel For Any Reason" benefit and how does it work?

1. 1. your enrollment form and your premium payment must be received (or, if mailed, must be postmarked) within 21 days of the date your first deposit or payment for your trip is received; and
2. you must insure all prepaid trip costs that are subject to cancellation penalties or restrictions and your Trip Cost is $15,000 or less.

Important: If any subsequent arrangements are added to the trip by either you or your travel agent, you must insure those arrangements as well within 21 days of the payment for those arrangements.

3. You must cancel your trip 2 days or more before your scheduled trip departure date and call our claims office at (888) 411-5378.

6. What are Pre-Existing Conditions?

Medical conditions for which there is treatment; or a recommendation for treatment, diagnostic test or exam; or for which drugs or medicine are prescribed during the 60 day period prior to your effective date with TravelSafe are considered Pre-Existing Conditions. This means we look back 60 days prior to the date you purchased the insurance, which is significantly less than many of our competitors. Important: Only available to Persons Under Age 80. The policy exclusion for Pre-Existing Conditions will be waived, if:

1. your enrollment form and your premium payment is received (or, if mailed, is postmarked) within 21 days of the date your initial trip deposit is received;
2. you insure all prepaid trip costs that are subject to cancellation penalties or restrictions (see Enrollment Form for more details); and
3. you are not disabled from travel at the time you pay your premium.

Unless you meet the Pre-Existing Conditions Waiver requirements detailed above, the policy does not cover your Pre-Existing Conditions and those of a traveling companion or an immediate family member traveling with you. Unlike some of our competitors, however, our Pre-Existing Condition requirements apply only to travelers, not to non-traveling family members.

Note: Medical conditions that are treated or controlled solely with medication and remain treated or controlled without an adjustment or a change in medication during the 60 day period prior to your effective date are not considered to be Pre-Existing Conditions. See the TravelSafe policy complete details about Pre- Existing Conditions.

7. What if I don't want to take my trip because of recent terrorist attacks?

TravelSafe allows you to cancel or interrupt your trip due to terrorist attacks, subject to the following conditions:

1. The terrorist act must occur in your departure city or in a city which is a scheduled destination for your trip, and
2. The terrorist act must occur within 30 days of the scheduled departure date for your trip.

8. Am I covered if the tour operator, airline or cruise line with which I have booked ceases operations or becomes financially insolvent?

TravelSafe covers Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation or Post-Departure Trip Interruption due to financial insolvency (as defined in the policy) of an airline, cruise line or tour operator if:

1. the financial insolvency is not of the person, organization or firm from whom you directly purchased or paid for your trip
2. the financial insolvency occurs more than 14 days following your effective date for the Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation Benefits
3. your enrollment form and your premium payment is received (or, if mailed, is postmarked) within 21 days of the date your initial trip deposit is received.

Important: There is no coverage for any claim arising from either: 1) a financial insolvency which occurs before your effective date of coverage, or 2) a filing of a petition for bankruptcy which occurs before your effective date of coverage.

9. What happens if my flight is canceled?

TravelSafe protects you in several ways. If your flight is canceled due to bad weather, mechanical breakdown of the aircraft on which you are scheduled to travel or an organized labor strike (provided the strike occurs after you pay your premium) you can take a later flight.

You will be reimbursed for the additional transportation expenses to join your trip, less any refunds paid or payable for your original tickets and not to exceed the cost of one-way economy airfare, or first class if your original tickets were first class.

Plus, you will be reimbursed for the cost of any unused land or water travel arrangements.

10. What if bad weather is predicted where I plan to travel? Will TravelSafe cover me if I cancel my trip?

The Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation Benefit covers cancellation of the insured's trip within 24 hours of the Insured's scheduled departure date and time if his/her trip destination is under a hurricane warning issued by the NOAA National Hurricane Center, provided the cancellation of the insured's trip occurs more than 15 days following the insured's effective date of coverage for the trip cancellation benefits. Other than this, the policy does not provide coverage if you cancel your trip based upon what might happen.

If, prior to departure or while on your trip, your hotel or resort is damaged or closed due to bad weather and the hotel or resort cancels your reservation (and cannot provide you with comparable accommodations elsewhere), you will be covered. See the TravelSafe policy for complete details of this coverage.

11. Should I purchase insurance for the total pre-paid, non-refundable cost of my trip?

Yes. You should determine your premium amount based upon the total cost of your trip per person, including airfare. You do not need to include the cost of any travel arrangements that are refundable and not subject to cancellation charges or restrictions.

If you insure an amount less than your total prepaid trip costs that are subject to cancellation penalties or restrictions:

1. the maximum benefit for the Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation and/or Post-Departure Trip Interruption will be limited to the amount of coverage you purchased; and
2. there will be no coverage availableunder the optional Cancel For Any Reason benefit, if purchased. Also, there will be no waiver of exclusion for Pre-Existing Conditions and financial insolvency.

12. What happens if my bags do not arrive at my destination when I do? What do I do?

TravelSafe covers all baggage delays of 12 hours or more during your trip. You will be reimbursed for personal articles you buy (such as toiletries, a change of clothing, etc.) up to $250. Be sure to keep receipts for anything you purchase. TravelSafe will also track your delayed or lost baggage for up to one full year, if requested.

13. If I require medical care while on my trip, are my medical bills covered?

TravelSafe provides coverage up to $100,000 for medical expenses resulting from an illness or injury during your trip. We even cover medical expenses for up to 1 year after your injury or illness. If you must be medically evacuated to another facility or home, TravelSafe provides coverage up to $1,000,000, plus you can choose your evacuation hospital. See TravelSafe policy for complete details of this coverage.

TravelSafe includes a 24-hour worldwide assistance service to help you with medical or legal emergencies during your trip. See the TravelSafe policy for complete details of this service.

14. Does TravelSafe cover my frequent flyer miles?

Frequent flyer miles are not covered if you must cancel or interrupt your trip. If you cancel your trip for a covered reason, you will only be reimbursed the money actually paid for the trip. However, TravelSafe does reimburse up to $150 toward the cost of an airline-imposed change or reissue fee if your trip is cancelled by your travel supplier, plus up to $150 toward fees to re-bank frequent flyer miles.

15. Who may purchase TravelSafe Vacation Insurance?

TravelSafe Vacation Insurance is available exclusively to citizens or legal residents of the USA or Canada. Eligibility for purchase will be confirmed on all claims. If it is determined that a person is not a citizen or legal resident of the USA or Canada, his/her claim will be denied and premium will be refunded.

16. If I am waitlisted for a trip when must I purchase travel insurance?

You must purchase travel insurance once your waitlist has cleared and your deposit was then transferred to the "cleared" waitlist/reservation.

Example: On July 1, you give a "good faith" deposit for space to clear or open up on a specific trip and that space clears on August 1. It is only from August 1 that the clock starts counting and you have 21 days to purchase the travel insurance in order to meet the terms required for the Pre-ex Waivers, Financial Insolvency protection and our Cancel For Any Reason terms.

If you have a specific question about the TravelSafe Vacation Insurance Plan, please contact TravelSafe at (800) 523-8020 or email info@travelsafe.com.