Forgetting to buy travel insurance before a trip happens to even the most meticulous travelers. The good news is, Can I Buy Travel Insurance After Arrival? The answer is often yes. While it’s always best to be prepared in advance, several insurers offer options for purchasing travel insurance even after you’ve already embarked on your journey.
However, there are important factors to consider, such as higher premiums and waiting periods. Getting coverage after departure can still provide peace of mind and financial protection for the remainder of your trip.
A woman sitting in her hotel room, purchasing travel insurance after departure on her phone
Woman in a hotel room uses her phone to buy travel insurance after arriving at her destination.
Finding Travel Insurance While Already Abroad
While not all companies offer this service, some insurers do provide policies to travelers who are already abroad. Travel insurance brokers can connect you with insurers offering post-departure travel insurance options, making the process easier.
Improving Coverage During Your Trip
It’s possible to add travel insurance or enhance your existing coverage almost any time during your trip. Post-departure insurance often focuses on medical-only coverage, as trip cancellation coverage is less relevant once the trip has begun. However, if you specifically want cancellation or interruption coverage, be sure to inquire about its availability.
Waiting Periods and Coverage Start Dates
Typically, coverage obtained through a travel policy purchased while abroad begins the day after purchase. If you need immediate coverage, consult with a broker to explore options that might suit your needs.
What You Need to Purchase Insurance on the Go
When buying travel insurance while traveling, set aside approximately 30 minutes in a quiet place with a charged phone or laptop. Have your itinerary details, including flight and accommodation information, readily available. You’ll need to provide travel start and end dates and proof of your return trip booking. Payment is usually required in full at the time of purchase. If you need to extend your trip, you can typically extend your coverage as well, up to a maximum of 365 days.
Important Considerations When Buying Late Travel Insurance
Yes, buying travel health insurance after leaving for your trip is often possible. Keep in mind that any policy purchased after departure won’t cover incidents that occurred before the policy’s effective date. Also, there’s usually a waiting period before the coverage starts.
Unfortunately, if you’re already experiencing a medical crisis while traveling without insurance, it’s generally too late to obtain coverage for that specific issue. The insurance will only cover illnesses or injuries that occur after the policy’s purchase date and waiting period.
Some insurers might decline coverage after your trip begins or restrict coverage for pre-existing conditions. Even when buying late, securing coverage before any potential incidents is crucial.
In scenarios such as a global medical crisis like a pandemic, adding new coverage to an existing policy after your trip has started might not be possible. In such situations, insurers may update their policies. Always review your travel insurance policy to ensure it covers disruptions caused by pandemics or similar events.
How to Secure Travel Insurance After Departure
Travel insurance brokers can help you find the international travel insurance and travel medical policy you need, even after you’ve already started your trip.
The WorldTrips Atlas Travel Insurance logo provides a recognizable branding element.
Buying Travel Insurance for Others Already Traveling
You can purchase travel insurance for someone else who is already overseas, even if they forgot to get it themselves.
Students might mistakenly believe they’re covered by their university or family insurance while traveling abroad. However, this coverage might not extend to leisure travel unrelated to their studies. Purchasing travel insurance for a student traveling abroad can protect your family from potential overseas medical expenses.
Similarly, parents or older relatives might underestimate the importance of travel insurance. You can buy a policy for them to safeguard against unexpected medical costs. While some policies have age limits, many allow purchases for individuals aged 90 and above.
To buy travel insurance for someone else, you’ll need their itinerary, including flight details, destinations, and travel dates. You’ll also need their contact information, such as their address, email, and phone number. Additional information, like pre-existing conditions or medications, might also be required. Your insurer will provide a list of necessary details. Once purchased, the insured person will receive their policy details via email and be protected under the policy.
Buying Travel Insurance at the Last Minute
What’s the deadline for buying travel insurance after departure? The latest you can buy a policy is when it still allows for coverage after the insurer’s waiting period. Most policies become effective the day after purchase. If your flight departs in 12 hours and you buy a policy now, it probably won’t cover the first day of travel. Trip cancellation coverage is not available after you leave.
Purchasing travel insurance is impossible if a crisis affecting your travel plans arises while you’re already on your trip. Insurers won’t sell a new policy if you’re in a location facing challenging circumstances like weather emergencies or political unrest.
Maximizing Coverage When Purchasing Travel Insurance Mid-Trip
A key tip for maximizing your travel insurance purchased after departure is to accurately specify your trip’s end date to ensure coverage for the entire duration. Coverage should extend until you arrive home safely, including travel to and from airports.
The Best Time to Buy Travel Insurance
Ideally, buy travel insurance before your trip to save money and enjoy broader coverage. Purchasing within 10 to 14 days of your initial trip deposit is optimal. While you can add travel insurance after booking and before departure, some benefits, such as trip cancellation insurance, are only available when purchased in advance.
Securing Your Peace of Mind
Don’t let the stress of forgetting travel insurance ruin your trip. Explore your options for post-departure coverage and travel with greater peace of mind.
