Forgetting something important before a trip happens to the best of us, and travel insurance is a common oversight. But don’t panic! The good news is, you can still buy travel insurance after departure in many cases. This article explores your options and what to consider when securing coverage mid-trip.
Woman using her smartphone to purchase travel insurance in a hotel room, highlighting the option of buying travel insurance after departure.
While it’s always best to purchase travel insurance before you leave, a number of insurers understand that life happens. Some companies offer policies specifically designed for travelers who are already abroad. While premiums might be slightly higher or coverage options more limited compared to pre-departure policies, having some protection is far better than none.
Securing Travel Insurance While Already Traveling
It’s important to note that not every insurance provider offers coverage to travelers who have already begun their trip. However, there are companies that specialize in post-departure travel insurance. A broker specializing in international insurance can connect you with these providers.
Finding the Right Coverage: What to Look For
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Can You Get Travel Insurance Coverage Anytime During Your Trip?
In most instances, the answer is yes. You can often purchase travel insurance to enhance your protection during your trip. These post-departure policies often focus on medical coverage. This is because, once you’ve started traveling, trip cancellation or interruption coverage becomes less relevant. However, if you’re specifically looking for cancellation or interruption coverage to protect the remainder of your trip, be sure to inquire about it.
Understanding Time Limits and Effective Dates
When buying travel insurance after departure, remember that coverage typically doesn’t start immediately. Most policies have a waiting period, often beginning the day after purchase. So, if you need immediate coverage, it’s crucial to confirm the policy’s effective date with your broker.
To expedite the process of buying travel insurance abroad, find a quiet place with a reliable internet connection. Gather all your travel details, including flight information, accommodation bookings, and travel dates. You’ll need to provide both the start and end dates of your trip, or proof of your return travel arrangements. Payment is usually required in full at the time of purchase. If your trip gets extended, you can usually extend your coverage for a set amount of time, but don’t exceed the 365 days limit.
Understanding the Limitations of Post-Departure Insurance
The key takeaway: Yes, buying travel health insurance after departure is possible, but it won’t cover any incidents that occurred before the policy’s effective date. Coverage usually begins after a waiting period.
It’s too late to get coverage if you’re already experiencing a medical emergency or have an existing injury or illness. These pre-existing conditions generally won’t be covered by a policy purchased after departure.
Some insurers might refuse coverage to those who’ve already started their trip or might impose limitations on pre-existing condition coverage. Always secure travel insurance before you need it, even if you’re buying it while traveling.
What happens if you’re abroad with limited or no medical coverage, and a global health crisis arises, like a pandemic? In these situations, adding new coverage to an existing plan may not be possible. Insurers may modify their policies in response to global crises. Always review your travel insurance policy for pandemic-related coverage.
Read More: Reading the Fine Print on a Travel Insurance Plan
How to Find Post-Departure Travel Insurance
Contact a licensed insurance broker specializing in international travel insurance to explore your options. They can guide you to the right travel medical policy for your needs.
Buying Travel Insurance for Others Already Traveling
You can purchase travel insurance for someone else who is already abroad. This is helpful for loved ones, especially students studying abroad or elderly relatives.
Students may not realize that their university or family insurance doesn’t provide adequate coverage for travel unrelated to their studies. Parents and older family members may underestimate the importance of travel insurance. Buying coverage for them provides crucial financial protection against unexpected medical expenses. Some policies have age limits. But many offer coverage for people of almost any age.
The coverage is more affordable and comprehensive if you add insurance after booking, but before departure.
To buy travel insurance for someone else, you’ll need their itinerary (flights, destinations, and dates) and contact information (address, email, and phone number). You might also require data such as pre-existing conditions, medications, or birth dates.
With this information, the insurer can create the policy. The insured person will receive policy details via email, ensuring they are protected.
Read More: Group Travel Insurance
The Latest You Can Buy Travel Insurance
There’s a cutoff point for buying travel insurance abroad. It’s the last possible date that will still provide some coverage after the waiting period. Most policies take effect the day after purchase. For example, a policy purchased 12 hours before a flight might not cover the first day of travel. Trip cancellation coverage is impossible to buy after you leave.
In a crisis, like a flight delay, you can’t buy insurance because the crisis won’t be covered within the waiting period. Also, insurers won’t sell you a new policy because of your risk when you are in a location going through challenging circumstances, such as a weather emergency or political unrest.
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Getting the Most from Travel Insurance Purchased While Traveling
To get the best value when buying travel insurance after departure, accurately specify your trip’s end date. It’s crucial to ensure your coverage extends until you arrive home safely.
Don’t consider your trip over until you’re back home. You need travel and health coverage until you get home. Include your arrival date and time.
When to Buy Travel Insurance Ideally
Ideally, buy travel insurance before you travel for cost savings and better coverage. The optimal time to buy is within 10-14 days of your initial trip deposit. Adding travel insurance after booking is possible anytime before departure. Contact an insurance professional when your travel details are confirmed.
Advance purchase unlocks benefits, especially trip cancellation insurance, covering trip costs if you can’t travel. You don’t need it after you leave because you’ve departed.
Top Travel Insurance Options
Depending on your residency, there are a few options for insurance:
Best Insurance for US Citizens Traveling Abroad
Atlas Travel Insurance from WorldTrips is an excellent option for U.S. citizens traveling abroad.
Atlas Travel Insurance
- Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation benefits
- Choose between basic and extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance
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Best Insurance for International Travelers
Safe Travels International is great for international travelers outside their home country.
Safe Travels International
- Designed for non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home country (excluding the U.S.)
- Coverage for an unexpected recurrence of a Pre-Existing Condition
- Coverage from 5 days to 364 days – extensions are available
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Best Insurance for International Visitors to the US
Safe Travels USA from Trawick is an excellent option for international citizens visiting the U.S.
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Trawick Safe Travels USA
- Designed for non-U.S. citizens traveling to the U.S. and additional countries
- Includes comprehensive medical, evacuation, & repatriation coverage
- Coverage from 5 days to 364 days – extensions are available
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Author: Emily Cotlier is a senior editor at International Citizens Insurance. She has made the move from the U.S.A. to New Zealand. For International Insurance, she clarifies international visa and immigration requirements, shares travel resources, and advises on relocation challenges. She’s traveled through five continents and Oceania, and she still loves to travel both in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.
