Travel Insurance Limitations Every Domestic Traveler Should Know

June 6, 2022

Travel Insurance and How to Avoid Complications During Domestic Travel

Travel insurance remains a highly important element when traveling. Many Americans are considering domestic travel as an option in 2022, opting for road trips and short flights across the country rather than navigating the complexities of international travel. While pandemic restrictions continue to ease across the globe, travel to exotic destinations remains highly complex, especially if you, your partner, or your children become sick during travel.

Every traveler should know the limitations of their domestic travel insurance before they head out on the road. Each travel insurance policy is different, and consumers must fully understand its exemptions to avoid complications and costly surprises. Ensuring you and your family’s safety requires much more than purchasing a traditional travel insurance policy.

Learn how to avoid complications and make the most of your next domestic travel experience.

Travel Insurance: Taking a Close Look at the Fine Print of Your Policy

Many travel insurance providers take great lengths to communicate through their marketing efforts that their policies are all-encompassing and address any possible mishap during domestic travel. Customers often purchase policies blindly, not realizing the hidden costs they may face.

Each domestic travel insurance policy is different, with its own limitations outlined in the fine print. Some customers might be surprised when their coverage is voided or they have to pay out of pocket for certain services. In fact, much of the language in a traditional travel insurance policy is intentionally confusing. Before your next trip or domestic vacation, see tips below that can save you thousands of dollars in the event of a travel mishap.

Travel Insurance Limitations You Need to Know

1) Pre-Existing Medical Conditions are one of the most common complications with travel insurance. While traditional policies will outline that they do not cover medical mishaps tied to a pre-existing medical condition, defining what exactly is a "pre-existing condition" remains up to the insurer’s discretion. Should a leisure traveler need to make a claim, the insurer will likely try to investigate your medical history and potentially deny your claim due to what they consider a pre-existing medical condition.

2) Out-of-Network Limitations can complicate your coverage and leave you to pay out of pocket for certain medical expenses during an emergency. Many insurance providers maintain relationships with healthcare facilities and air ambulance providers, and in the event you are out of their trusted network, the costs of utilizing such services are not fully covered. This is especially relevant when a customer requires an air ambulance and needs to be relocated back home. Many medevac incidents are out-of-network, meaning that customers are left to pay for these services that can cost upwards of $50,000.

3) Natural Disasters are often not included in the coverage of traditional travel insurance. If you are injured or require assistance due to a flood, hurricane, or tornado, you could be left on your own to address the costs. Should you experience a serious natural disaster during your trip, your coverage could be voided entirely. Ensure that you fully understand the fine print of your travel insurance policy.

4) Political Unrest is typically listed as an exemption in the fine print of most traditional travel insurance policies. Medical emergencies or security mishaps tied to an unexpected political protest, riot, or demonstration are often not included in conventional policies, and the same applies to instances of war. Usually, emergency relocation services required for these types of travel mishaps must be paid out-of-pocket by the consumer, leaving a massive debt to be paid on their behalf. The costs of quickly departing a destination or sheltering in place can be astronomical, with travel insurance policies pointing to their fine print exemptions during an incident.

5) High-Risk Activities also pose a problem for the everyday consumer who is traveling. Each provider has its own definition of what is considered a high-risk activity, and while a leisure traveler might not consider surfing or hiking high-risk, your policy might. A close read of the fine print of your policy should outline exactly what is regarded as a high-risk activity, which may include a multitude of activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, mountain biking, and posing for pictures with exotic animals.

Travel Insurance Limitations Addressed by CAP, Powered by FocusPoint

The safety-conscious traveler should take every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of themselves and their family. Domestic travel still comes with plenty of risks, and traditional travel insurance can leave the everyday consumer with unexpected surprise costs due to limitations and exemptions in your policy.

Purchase a travel plan that fills in the gaps of a travel policy’s fine print and addresses any mishaps you may face.

FocusPoint International’s CAP Travel Medical and Security Assistance Plan comes with a robust mobile app that includes destination-based health, safety, and security intelligence, COVID-19 specific information, a one-touch assistance button, and much more.

The CAP Plan offers unlimited 24/7 advice for a long list of travel mishaps often overlooked by traditional travel insurance, including COVID quarantine cost coverage. It also provides a fully-funded response to incidents of riots, strikes, civil commotion, and natural disasters, with medical evacuation to a home hospital of choice, should you suffer from a medical mishap resulting in hospitalization.

Contact us directly to learn more about available solutions for Americans traveling domestically this season.