Trip Protection vs. Travel Insurance: Your Guide
Planning a trip abroad comes with plenty of questions, especially when it comes to travel insurance and protection. You might not know if you should get trip protection vs. travel insurance.
This guide should clear things up, so you can decide on trip protection vs travel insurance and which would best suit your needs.
What Is Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is a relatively broad term insurance that protects travellers against the unexpected costs of travelling. It is designed for people who want to protect themselves against unexpected expenses that may occur after an emergency or accident (medical emergency coverage), or when travel circumstances become out of their control (trip interruption, trip cancellation, or baggage benefits).
Some comprehensive travel insurance plans include things like both medical benefits like emergency health insurance AND non-medical benefits such as trip cancellation insurance. You can buy a policy from the provider or through an agent, travel agency, tour operator, or online broker. Usually though, 'Comprehensive' (a.k.a. 'All-inclusive') plans are restricted in duration to less than 30 or 60 days, so there aren't many suppliers to choose from - you will usually always be better off buying a medical policy and a non-medical policy separately (it'll save you money!).
What Is Covered by Trip Cancellation/Interruption Plans?
Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance plans can include:
- Travel delays to your destination or your return home
- Sirfare changes and cancellations
- Evacuation and repatriation expenses
- Death or dismemberment expenses
- Legal fees associated with lost passports and visas.
- Medical expenses for injuries, illnesses, or emergencies
- Lost luggage and personal belongings
Trip cancellation protection can be an add-on service to travel insurance that doesn’t cover cancelled trips. This can also cover cancellations due to natural disasters, so you can file a claim to recover trip costs.
You might want trip cancellation and interruption protection in case of emergencies or unexpected travel delays. Travel insurance may also cover travel companions, depending on the number of travellers. The extent of this coverage will depend on your insurance plan.
What Is Trip Protection?
While travelling, you might experience an unexpected incident that results in a loss for your trip. Trip protection plans are plans offered by travel agencies or travel suppliers that offer some trip interruption coverage.
Since trip protection plans are not provided by travel insurance companies, they are unregulated. Trip protection isn’t an insurance policy. This means that travel businesses can create plans that don’t meet any specific industry standard. Some travellers can be misled if they don’t read through the fine print of their trip protection plans.
What Is Covered by a Trip Protection Plan?
These plans vary widely and may only offer coverage for parts of a trip. Some trip protection plans will cover cancellation fees for their travel package. In some cases, if you can’t make the trip, you may be offered a refund or the value of the trip in credits.
What Is the Difference Between Trip Protection vs Travel Insurance?
There are some key differences between trip protection vs travel insurance. Travel insurance is regulated and monitored, while trip protection plans are unregulated. This can present a challenge if you aren’t sure of what you’re getting.
Travel insurance plans are costlier, but they offer more coverage. With the right due diligence, trip protection plans can be beneficial — as long as you know what you are getting into.
We offer the best rates and the widest selection for your travel insurance. You can get comprehensive coverage for your exact needs with Best Quote Travel Insurance at your side.
Learn more about trip cancellation insurance!