International travel can be one of the best things you ever do, no matter how old you are. But what if you want to visit a country that is in the middle of a civil war or where tensions are rising with neighboring countries?
Trip insurance should be at the top of your list when planning and budgeting for your trip, especially if you have family or friends in these countries or can't avoid going there. A lot of travelers want to know if their travel insurance covers an act of war. We'll talk more about this below.
Most travel insurance policies don't cover trip cancellations caused by war, acts of war, or political unrest. This means that most claims related to these events are denied. But trip insurance policies aren't clear about what "war" means, so each claim has to be handled separately.
If you are worried about coverage, compensation is usually given to travelers who meet the policy's specific definition of Terrorism (if the policy includes terrorism as a covered reason) or who have added Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage to their main policy.
Let's look at how travel insurance covers an act of war, what you need to know when traveling abroad, and how to stay safe when going to a high-risk destination.
Travel Medical Insurance
A lot of the time, emergency medical insurance is a required part of travel insurance. It pays for medical care and other costs if you get sick or have an accident while traveling.
It usually covers sickness and injuries caused by war or situations that are like war while on vacation. But the insurance won't cover you if you get sick or hurt after a war is declared at your destination. Since you knew about the war before you went, getting sick or hurt is an extra risk you already knew about and will not be covered for.
Any Reason to Cancel
If your travel insurance policy isn't clear or doesn't cover acts of war, you could buy an optional CFAR upgrade when you buy the policy. A CFAR policy lets you cancel your trip for any reason, even if you are afraid of war or if war breaks out.
To add CFAR to your policy, you must do so between 7 and 21 days after you put any money toward your trip. You must also insure all of your pre-paid, non-refundable travel costs, which is 100% of the total.
A CFAR policy lets you cancel up to two to three days before your trip. Most of the time, CFAR will pay back between 50% and 75% of your trip costs. But CFAR plans can have different payouts and requirements, so it's best to read your policy's fine print to find out all the details. When you need it, a CFAR policy or any other reputable travel insurance should give you money and help in general.
Full-scale policy
Some people who buy comprehensive travel insurance think that it covers everything, but that's not the case. For example, most all-inclusive policies don't cover trips that have to be canceled because of civil unrest.
"Known peril" is the main reason why you won't be given money. A known peril is something that the traveler should have been able to figure out before buying the insurance. The insurance company must decide if the event was unexpected or well known when the policy was bought.
ALSO CHECK: Coverage for First and Second Travel Insurance
The U.S. State Department's Travel Advisory System is sometimes used by insurance companies to find out about known risks.
Travelers can also check out this website, which has a list of high-risk countries. If you decide to go to one of these high-risk countries, your insurance company may think you know about the extra risks and not cover problems that come up during your trip.
But if you are going to visit family or think the benefits of the trip outweigh the risks, you can buy a CFAR policy that will help you get a refund if your travel plans are delayed, changed, or canceled because of civil unrest or war.
Evacuation for Politics or Safety
Some travel insurance plans may cover evacuations for political or security reasons. If this coverage is part of your policy, you will get paid to get to the nearest safe place during your trip.
To be eligible for compensation, the political or security event must be a natural disaster, civil, military, or political unrest in a foreign country (local or U.S. authorities must give a written recommendation), or expulsion by the country you are visiting.
Keep in mind that most high-risk countries, like Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, North Korea, etc., are not on the list. Travelers have a limited amount of time to ask for a ride to a safe place (usually seven days).
FAQ
Is civil unrest the same as terrorism or not?
In general, acts of terrorism are different from civil unrest. Even though both civil unrest and terrorism are serious, a trip insurance company must see them as black and white when they look at your claim.
Most policies are written in different ways when it comes to what they cover and what makes civil unrest different from terrorism. For example, travel insurance companies depend on the federal government of the United States to say when and where an act of terrorism happened. So, you must also buy the policy before a terrorist act is declared. If you can't, you have to take the risk if you want to travel.
Most people agree that an act of terrorism is:
The attack was seen as an act of terrorism by the U.S. government.
The terrorist act must happen in or close to a city on the traveler's schedule.
The terrorist act must happen between 7 and 30 days after arrival.
Before the terrorist attack, the place where it will happen must have been free of incidents for a certain amount of time.
How can I travel safely when there's civil unrest?
When traveling abroad, it can be hard to speak the language, find your way around, or get in touch with friends and family. So, the U.S. State Department made the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which lets U.S. citizens and nationals register their trip with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate closest to them. The STEP program is free, and while you're traveling, you'll get alerts and warnings as soon as they come out. The program also keeps track of who is traveling and when. This way, if something terrible happens, you will have more help getting to safety.
When visiting a place known for civil unrest, it's important to stay alert. Keep an eye out for tourist traps, look for ways out, learn about the culture, and never go out at night by yourself. On your trip, keep your cell phone charged and with you at all times.
You should also bring your passport with you when you travel to your destination and when you move around while you're there. Some countries don't accept a driver's license from the United States as a valid form of ID, but a passport is accepted everywhere. You can also get help faster from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you have a passport.
How can I get travel insurance for less money?
Insurance companies suggest getting a policy when you buy plane tickets or a vacation package. The sooner you buy, the longer you'll be covered for unplanned events and the easier it will be to get upgrades like CFAR. Compare travel insurance plans to find the right coverage at the right price and save money.
0 Comments