Frequently Asked Questions

What are my options for my travel protection plan if my trip is postponed or canceled completely?

If your trip has been postponed or cancelled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, you may be eligible to change your travel dates or receive a credit for the full value of the travel insurance policy purchased to be used for future travel. This credit is valid for up to 24 months from your original scheduled trip date. When requesting a voucher, be prepared to provide confirmation from National Geographic of your trip cancellation or postponement as we will require this confirmation prior to changing your travel dates or issuing a voucher. To apply for the credit, simply contact us by phone at 1‑855‑874‑0252 or email at info@travelinsure.com and let us know your new travel dates. We will be happy to assist you.

Keep in mind that you must transfer your trip dates BEFORE your originally scheduled trip departure date.

If you were offered a travel voucher by National Geographic for a future trip but decide to forego this option and not take your trip, your travel insurance plan will not cover a trip cancellation claim in this scenario, and we are unable to offer a refund of premium since you weren’t given a full trip refund by your travel supplier. (However, if you purchased Cancel For Any Reason coverage, you may file a claim under that provision.) Our industry is highly regulated and we must comply accordingly. Thank you for your understanding.

If a trip was cancelled by the tour operator was fully refunded, but the airfare costs were given as a voucher, can I refund the premium on the tour cost and downgrade the insurance to equal the cost of the airfare to apply toward a future trip?

Zurich (the insurer) will not allow downgrading or splitting the refund. Our options are to either issue full credit on the policy for future travel (tour and airfare costs combined) or issue a full premium refund.

If a trip was cancelled by the tour operator and only 50% of the trip was refunded, can I have a 50% refund of the travel insurance premium?

No, there is no provision for a pro rata refund.

If a new trip has a lower trip cost when re-booking, can I adjust the policy to refund the over-insured portion of the premium?

Yes, this is part of the normal procedure. You can adjust trip cost up or down.

Can I still buy travel insurance with the Coronavirus in effect?

Yes, although the policy will not cover if you cancel the trip or interrupt the trip due to fear of Coronavirus. It will still cover for all other covered reasons you would cancel a trip, such as death in the family, health or accident that does not allow you to travel.

If I am diagnosed with Coronavirus, how can travel insurance help?

If you are diagnosed with Coronavirus before or during your trip, and meet the requirements for coverage due to sickness, you can be covered for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Travel Delay, Medical and Dental, and Emergency Assistance and Transportation.

For any plans that include coverage for losses due to sickness, we are providing coverage if you, a traveling family member, or a traveling companion contract COVID-19 and plan requirements are met. Eligible coverages can include Trip Cancellation prior to your scheduled departure, Trip Interruption, Travel Delay, Medical and Dental, and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage during your trip.

For your safety and the safety of others, travelers who believe they may have contracted the virus should call our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team who will coordinate local treatment on your behalf. Please read your Description of Coverage/Policy confirmation documents for coverage details.

How can travel insurance help if I am quarantined due to the Coronavirus?

If you are diagnosed with Coronavirus or another sickness and are quarantined, you can be covered. If you are traveling and quarantined, but not sick, plans can cover you for Trip Interruption and Travel Delay events if you are quarantined due to the Coronavirus.

I have a trip planned to an area affected by the Coronavirus. Will I be able to cancel my trip and be reimbursed?

You can be reimbursed for unused, non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs if you need to cancel your trip for one of 20 covered reasons. (See the Policy for your state of residence) Zurich American Insurance Company plans do not offer coverage if you cancel your trip due to fear of traveling due to Coronavirus, unless you added Trip Cancellation for Any Reason coverage to your plan. In that case, you could be reimbursed up to 75% of your prepaid, forfeited, non-refundable trip cost, if you meet certain requirements.

Coronavirus is a public health emergency of international concern and many airlines and other travel suppliers are canceling service, refunding trips and waiving change fees for travel for the next few months. Seeing if your travel supplier can accommodate changes should be the first step.

How much of my Trip Cost should I insure?

Insure ALL pre-paid travel arrangements that have any cancellation penalties or restrictions.

You cannot insure arrangements for which you have made no payment (e.g.: frequent-flyer miles, credit vouchers, discount coupons, or certificates).

What are the benefits to purchasing early rather than later?

While you may purchase the Travel Protection Plan with standard coverage up until you depart, you will receive the greatest benefits if you purchase this insurance within 21 calendar days of our receipt of your initial deposit*:

• The Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion will be waived. Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption benefits are not eligible for coverage if the reason for cancellation is due to a pre-existing medical condition. However, when the plan is purchased in the 21 day window*, cancellations due to a chronic condition which becomes acute and/or causes you to seek treatment by a physician within the 90 days prior to the effective date of the Travel Protection Plan would be eligible for coverage. This provision extends to you, your spouse, parents, children, and siblings. (*For residents of FL, ID and VT the pre-existing condition look-back period is 30 days prior to date premium received; for IL residents the period is 6 months from covered loss; for IN residents the period is 90 days from the policy effective date; for MT residents the period is 6 months prior to effective date; in NY the period is 6 months from effective date on emergency medical and dental benefits.)

What if I miss the purchase period for the Early Purchase Advantages?

You may still purchase coverage at any time prior to departure, however, the coverage would not include the early purchase benefits described above.

What if my dates or trip plans change, or there is an increase in Trip Cost?

Notify Travel Insurance Services in writing and include the additional plan cost in order to obtain the additional coverage. Failure to insure 100% of your non-refundable trip costs could result in the loss of eligibility for certain benefits such as the Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver.

Will this plan cover me anywhere in the world?

Coverage is not available for travel to the following countries: Belarus, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, Israel, Myanmar, North Korea, Sudan, Russia, Syria, and Ukraine.