Do you know what information you need to protect your upcoming trip? Our travel insurance checklist goes over the details you need when getting a policy.

If you’re planning your first vacation in a while or you’ve never bought trip protection before, you may be wondering, “What information do I need to buy travel insurance?” Well, there are several details you should know and have on-hand when you get travel insurance. If you do, it’ll help ensure you choose the right coverage for your trip.

What you need to know for a travel insurance purchase can vary depending on the provider you choose; so, we’re sharing the things to consider when getting travel insurance from us — Travelex!

Here are the seven details you need to get travel insurance from our Travelex team

1. You and your traveling companions’ destination(s).

2. Your travel dates.

3. Your trip cost per person and date of first payment.

4. What travel suppliers you’re using.

5. Who you’re traveling with.

6. What activities you’ll be doing on your trip.

7. Your pre-existing medical conditions.

 

#1: Where are you traveling to?

Creating a list of all the countries you’ll be visiting is the first and most important part of your travel insurance checklist. Why? We need to know where you are if you need our help while you’re traveling!

If you’re only visiting one country on your vacation, you can enter the name of that country when getting a quote. If you’re planning to stop at multiple destinations, enter the destination where you’ll be spending the most time. For example, if you’ll be in France for three days and Spain for four days on your European adventure, select Spain as your destination.

Planning a trip within the United States? Simply enter “United States” as your destination. Whether you want to enjoy a sunny getaway in Florida or winter ski trip in Colorado, all our plans offer domestic travel insurance.

Did you enter your destination but discover we can’t provide coverage for it? While our Travelex insurance can protect your trip to most destinations around the world, there are some destinations we can’t provide coverage for. If a country has an OFAC sanction against it, you won’t be eligible for our protection while at that destination. Additionally, there are some destinations that Travelex has made business decisions to not offer coverage for. So, before and after booking your trip, be sure to check the government website and our blocked destinations page, where we may post areas of the world not eligible for our coverage.

Good to know: Before you travel, keep an eye on the United States government's travel advisories page. There, you may see your intended destination has a “do not travel” warning, which the government may apply for several reasons. Common ones include crime, environmental or natural disasters, civil unrest, war, terrorism, or health threats. You’ll find the explanation for the travel advisory level on the website.

#2: When are you traveling?

One of the key details you need to get a travel insurance quote is when you’ll start and end your trip. This can help ensure you get the right coverage for your entire trip.

When submitting your travel dates, it’s best to include the date you’ll leave home as your start date and the date you’ll arrive back home as your return date for optimal protection.

Tip: When entering your trip return date, remember to enter the date you’ll arrive home in the U.S. based on your travel itinerary, which will be shown on travel documents like a flight ticket.

Our Travelex plans have varying maximum trip lengths. This means it’s important to enter accurate travel dates so we can give you the right travel insurance quote for your vacation. If you’re traveling for 30 days or fewer, our Essential or Advantage plan may provide enough protection for your trip. But if you’re traveling for more than 30 days, our Ultimate plan would be needed because it provides coverage for trips up to 180 days.

#3: What’s your total trip cost per person and when did you make your first payment?

Understanding your total trip cost is essential to your travel insurance checklist. We’ll ask you for your trip cost per person when you get a quote to help us understand how much coverage you’ll need. This means you won’t get a quote that covers extras you don’t need!

Your trip cost includes all prepaid, nonrefundable expenses — like flight tickets, tours, and hotel reservations. If you’re traveling with others, you’ll calculate and enter everyone’s trip costs as per person amounts. Make sure you gather and keep track of all receipts and booking confirmations so it’s easier for you to calculate an accurate trip cost.

Along with your total trip cost per person, we'll also ask you for the date you made your first payment towards your vacation.

#4: What travel agency and suppliers are you using (if any)?

During the quote process, part of your travel insurance checklist is to enter the types and names of the travel suppliers — including airlines, cruise lines, and tour operators — you used to book any part of your vacation. We’ll also ask you to list your travel agent and agency if you’re working with one.

If you used a travel agency and they’re partnered with us, they’ll have a location number specific to Travelex. It’ll be in the format of two digits, a hyphen, and four digits. (For example: 12-3456). If you’re unsure whether your agency works with us, please reach out to them and ask if they have a Travelex location number. We’ll also ask for the name of your travel agent.

#5: Are you traveling with friends or family?

Is your upcoming trip a solo adventure or a getaway you’ll be enjoying in the company of family or friends? This is one of the details you need to get a travel insurance quote from us — especially if you’re wanting to include coverage for your travel companions — so we can give you the best plan options and price.

Does your travel insurance checklist include protecting those you’re traveling with? Depending on your travel companions and their personal circumstances, you may want to consider our most comprehensive plan, Ultimate.

For example, if certain members of your travel group have pre-existing medical conditions and you want coverage for those conditions, our Ultimate plan can help. To make sure you and your travel companions meet the requirements for pre-existing medical conditions coverage, check out tip #7 below.

If you do want to include coverage for traveling companions in your policy, they must live in your household, and we’ll need each traveler’s name, date of birth, and primary state of residence.

#6: What will you be doing on your trip?

No two vacations are alike, so one of the things to consider when getting a travel insurance quote is what kind of activities are on your trip itinerary.

For example, are you planning to ski down the slopes in Switzerland, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, or even bungee jump from Macau Tower in China? Before you complete your travel insurance checklist for your thrilling vacation, ask yourself what activities you have in mind and how long you’ll be experiencing each activity. This way, you can make a more informed decision while getting a quote and have enough coverage for your getaway.

There are certain activities — mainly those that come with an additional element of risk, like skiing, skydiving, zip lining, and scuba diving deeper than 75 feet — that a base travel insurance plan may not provide coverage for. So, when you’re going through our travel insurance checklist while you get a quote, make sure to check if your intended activity is eligible for protection.

Wondering what you can do if your base plan doesn’t provide coverage for your intended activity? At Travelex, most of our plans are eligible for our optional adventure activities upgrade. With the upgrade added, you’ll have protection for certain extra activities that the base plan doesn’t insure.

If you have more questions about our adventure activities coverage, reach out to our customer service team at 1-800-228-9792.

#7: Do you have any medical conditions?

One of the most important things you need to know for a travel insurance quote is whether you have pre-existing medical conditions. If you do, you’ll want to check the requirements for you and your travel companions to get coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

At Travelex, there are several medical conditions we can include in your coverage; however, you — and all travelers on your policy — need to meet certain requirements.

You can have pre-existing medical conditions coverage with us if you get our Ultimate plan within 21 days of your first trip payment and insure your full trip cost.

Plus, you and your travel companions need to be medically able to travel when you buy your policy.

Have you gathered the details you need to get a travel insurance quote?

Once you’ve finalized and put together as many trip details as you can from our travel insurance checklist, such as where you’re traveling to, your travel dates, and who you’re traveling with, it’s time to safeguard your vacation with our travel insurance. Then, you can focus on what matters most: enjoying your getaway.

Ready to protect your upcoming trip?

Keep our travel insurance checklist handy and get a quote now.

We’re debunking seven myths about cruises so you can have the confidence to plan a getaway on the water.

There’s something special about spending quality time aboard an ocean liner. The sun, the sea breeze, the never-ending activities and entertainment options — it’s easy to see why so many travelers insist on booking a cruise when it’s time for a trip.  

Despite their devoted following, cruises can sometimes get negative press. This often leaves first-time cruisers feeling a little uneasy about choosing a vacation on the high seas and asking themselves: “Are cruises dangerous?”, “Will I really get seasick on a cruise?”, or “Are cruises worth it?”.

Well, we’re here to tell you the truth about cruises. Yes, you can stop believing these age-old myths – or wondering “How safe is cruising, really?!” – and replace them with cruise facts!

After all, a vacation aboard an ocean liner can make for an amazing experience — so let’s find out if a cruise vacation is the ideal trip for you.

Don’t believe these seven cruise travel myths:

The truth about cruises: 7 common myths busted

Myth #1: You’ll definitely get seasick on a cruise.

Just because you hear stories about travelers getting seasick on a cruise, it doesn’t necessarily mean you'll experience this too.

Thanks to cruise ship improvements over the years, most liners are now equipped with stabilizers, so you may not feel any movement at all.

The stabilizers act like large fins on the side of the ship that minimize the rocking motion and block the force of the waves, which means you’re less likely to feel seasick on your cruise.

Plus, the sheer size of modern cruise ships means they’re less affected by the ocean's movements compared to smaller boats.

So, if the thought of big waves makes you question “How safe is cruising?”, remember that most cruise itineraries travel through calmer waters wherever possible, helping everyone on board to have a smoother sailing experience.

Myth #2: Cruises are too crowded.

Cruise ships are massive, so if you want some privacy, it’s likely you’ll be able to find a spot to call your own somewhere on board. Even better, you can book a cabin with a balcony so you can get some alone time inside or out (and order room service too).

Many cruise ships now also offer adults-only trips and less crowded areas for those who want some quiet time, so it’s safe to say you can ignore this mistruth about cruises.

Tip: Don’t forget to check if the cruise trips you have in mind offer spaces for solitude if you want to escape potential crowds on board.

But, especially if there are lots of people on board, how safe is cruising when it comes to crime? Under U.S. law, cruise liners must follow certain security protocols — with the help of their monitoring systems — to help you and your belongings stay safe. Crew members also go through training for emergency scenarios, and maritime law enforcement units are often on board or nearby to help you feel safe no matter how many people are on your cruise.

Myth #3: Cruises are expensive.

So, are cruises expensive? Not always, and here’s why. Today, there is a lot of competition in the cruising industry, which means a little research is often all it takes to find a great cruise deal to suit your budget.

You can also save money by choosing a cruise that runs in the off-season, and looking for discounts, incentives, and packaged deals before booking.

If your budget is tight, you could consider shorter three- or four-day cruise trips. This is also a smart idea if you’re new to cruising and just want to test the waters.

Looking for ways to increase your budget for cruise trips this year? Check out our tips for how to save money when you book a cruise.

Myth #4: Cruises are boring.

Lovers of cruise trips will likely insist that this myth about cruising is not true at all — and with good reason. With an abundance of amenities and activities on the ship, you’ll likely forget you ever asked yourself if cruises are boring.

Plus, if you plan a cruise with land stops, each port will likely have lots of activity options, including shopping, enjoying the beach, tasting local cuisine, learning about the local culture, and more. Make sure you check which cruise excursions and other activities are available at each stop to help ensure you pick a cruise that’s exciting to you.

Oh, and if you’re still wondering “Are cruises boring?”, there are specialty cruise trips for all kinds of interests, from guest authors and romantic retreats to music specials and culinary cruises. Find something that sparks your interest and go for it. If you do, you’re more likely to have fun and fall in love with cruising.

Myth #5: Cruises are for certain age groups only.

The truth about cruises is your age doesn't affect whether you’ll love cruise trips or not. Today, cruise lines offer special programs for everyone — from kids to young adults, 30- and 40-somethings, and those enjoying the golden years!

On board the ship, you’ll likely find trendy activities, celebrity chef-inspired restaurants, fun programs for families with kids, adults-only areas, modern spas, and must-see entertainment are all part of your cruise package.

Plus, if your getaway includes stops at ports, you may find a variety of age-appropriate activities on shore to suit those you’re traveling with. From kid-friendly water parks to tours of the local town, be sure to check your cruise itinerary and do your research to see what land excursions would be right for your trip — and your age group.

Myth #6. Cruise ships are full of germs.

It’s easy to get caught up in this myth, especially given the stories of COVID-19 outbreaks on cruise trips during the height of the pandemic.

So, how safe is cruising for your health? While outbreaks of illness can sometimes occur, the reality is that cruise liners generally have industry-wide protocols for thorough cleaning and a sanitation process before each launch and during each cruise. If people do get sick and are quarantined, they generally go through those same strict protocols again.

Mainstream cruise ships also generally have onboard staff to deal with medical issues. Most ships offer an ample supply of hand sanitizer, and some attempt to limit the spread of germs by not offering self-service buffets for the first 48 hours of the trip.

Like on any type of vacation, if you follow general health protocols and do your best to stop germs from spreading, you don’t need to focus on whether cruises are dangerous to your health. Check out the U.S. Department of State’s cruise travel tips for more ways to stay healthy and safe at sea.

Myth #7: You don’t need travel insurance for cruise trips.

It’s smart to pack travel insurance on any type of vacation, but some cruises do insist that passengers purchase cruise travel insurance before they board the ship. Why? In the unlikely event of a medical emergency or other unforeseen incident, getting you back to shore from the middle of the ocean can be costly — and they need to know you can cover the bill.

If you choose to cruise with one of our Travelex plans, you’ll have cruise insurance coverage included in your base plan that offers benefits like:

  • Emergency medical and dental coverage
  • Emergency medical evacuation from the ship
  • Trip cancellation, interruption, and delay coverage

Our Travelex travel insurance also offers 24/7 assistance, which can help ease some concerns about how safe cruising is. You can learn more about our cruise insurance coverage here. If you still have questions, reach out to our customer service team at 1-800-228-9792.

Plan a cruise to enjoy your own adventures at sea

With these seven myths debunked and replaced with cruise facts, it’s clear that many of the long-held beliefs about cruising are based on outdated information. The truth about cruises is they’re adaptable, offering something for everyone — regardless of age, lifestyle, or budget.

With state-of-the-art facilities, a variety of activities, and a commitment to safety and guest satisfaction, cruise trips stand out as a multifaceted vacation option. Whether you’re looking to meet new people, crave uninterrupted relaxation, or long to explore various destinations, busting these myths may open the door to an entirely new world of travel opportunities for you on the high seas.

So, it’s time to stop wondering if cruises are worth it and start researching, booking, and protecting your trip so you can hop on board for the adventure of a lifetime!

Ready to safeguard your trip at sea?

Our travel insurance can help keep you afloat when you need it most. Get a quote now.

Essential

Benefits
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Up to $25,000 medical coverage*
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Up to $10,000 trip cancellation
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Up to $10,000 trip interruption
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Up to $600 travel delay
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Up to $750 baggage coverage†
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Kids-included pricing
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Six optional upgrades
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Searching for trip protection, but on a budget? Check out our economical plan with essential coverage.

Advantage

Benefits
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Up to $50,000 medical coverage*
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Up to $10,000 trip cancellation
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Up to $12,500 trip interruption
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Up to $1,000 travel delay
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Up to $1,000 baggage coverage†
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Six optional upgrades
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Want comprehensive protection at a great price? Our mid-level plan could be right for you.

Ultimate

Benefits
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Up to $250,000 medical coverage*
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Up to $50,000 trip cancellation
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Up to $75,000 trip interruption
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Up to $2,000 travel delay
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Up to $2,000 baggage coverage†
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Nine optional upgrades
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Looking for extensive, customizable coverage? Discover our most comprehensive plan.
Don’t let an earthquake shake up your upcoming travel plans. Learn more about our travel earthquake insurance coverage now, so you know how we can help if an earthquake impacts your trip.

Dreaming of seeing rows of cherry blossom trees in Japan with views of Mount Fuji in the distance? Or maybe you’re counting down the days until your surf trip in Bali.

In earthquake-prone locations like these, you can have exciting adventures or a tranquil retreat — but your trip could also be at risk if there’s an earthquake.

If your plans change because of an earthquake, we can help you get your vacation back on track. At Travelex, our travel insurance plans offer earthquake coverage that not only helps pay you back for unexpected costs, but also gives you access to 24/7 travel assistance.

Read on to learn more about earthquakes and how our Travelex travel insurance with earthquake coverage can help you during your trip.

What's an earthquake and how can it impact my trip?

When an earthquake occurs, the ground suddenly and violently shakes because of the movement of layers of the Earth. The damage it can cause varies, ranging from minor tremors that barely shake a teacup, to catastrophic quakes that can collapse buildings, rupture gas lines, set off landslides, and trigger tsunamis.

If an earthquake happens before or during your trip, you could have flight cancellations and issues reaching or staying at your destination. Earthquakes can cause damage that makes you unable to stay at the hotel you booked, visit local attractions, use public transportation, and more.

Does Travelex offer earthquake insurance?

Yes, most of our plans offer varying levels of coverage for mishaps like trip cancellation and travel delay due to earthquakes.

If something unexpected happens during your trip like a flight delay or hospital visit, our earthquake insurance can reimburse eligible costs.

Still have questions about our travel insurance with earthquake coverage? You can call 1-800-228-9792 to get in touch with our customer service team.

What are the benefit limits for Travelex’s earthquake coverage?

Each of our plans with earthquake insurance have different benefit limits, with our Ultimate plan offering higher reimbursement amounts.

Here are the maximum amounts that each of our broader plans can pay out based on each benefit for eligible reasons:

BenefitUltimateAdvantageEssential
Trip cancellation100% of insured trip cost ($50,000 maximum) 100% of insured trip cost ($10,000 maximum)100% of insured trip cost ($10,000 maximum)
Trip interruption150% of insured trip cost ($75,000 maximum)125% of insured trip cost ($12,500 maximum)100% of insured trip cost ($10,000 maximum)
Travel delay$2,000 ($250 per day maximum)$1,000 ($250 per day maximum)$600 ($200 per day maximum)
Baggage and personal effects$2,000 ($500 per item limit)$1,000 ($500 per item limit)$750 ($500 per item limit)
Baggage delay$500$200$200
Emergency medical expense

$250,000

$50,000 for NH residents

$50,000$25,000

Keep in mind that we can only reimburse you if your expenses are from an unforeseen eligible event. So, your claim reason needs to be a situation that you didn’t know would happen and is eligible for coverage under your policy. You'll find additional coverage details and restrictions for earthquakes in the description of coverage.

What counts as an unforeseen eligible event when it comes to earthquakes?

Our plans offer earthquake coverage for certain incidents you may not expect, such as:

  • Your flight is canceled because an earthquake damaged the runway.
  • An earthquake collapses your home.
  • You have to find a new place to stay at your destination because an earthquake damaged your hotel and made it uninhabitable.

Need more clarification on our travel insurance with earthquake coverage? You can speak to our customer service team at 1-800-228-9792.

Does Travelex’s earthquake insurance include flight disruptions?

Yes, our Ultimate, Advantage, and Essential plans could help reimburse you if an earthquake causes issues with your flights — like cancellations and delays — for eligible reasons.

Here are some ways that your earthquake coverage can help with specific flight disruptions:

Trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage

With our Ultimate, Advantage, and Essential plans, if an eligible earthquake cancels or interrupts your trip because it makes your destination or primary home uninhabitable or inaccessible, we can repay your trip cost up to the maximum amount insured in your policy.

Your travel insurance with earthquake coverage can also help with other prepaid, nonrefundable, and insured expenses you won’t use because your trip is canceled or interrupted for eligible reasons, like nonrefundable tours.

Travel delay coverage

Damage from an earthquake could delay your vacation, but you may not have to worry about your expenses while you wait to depart. Earthquake insurance can give you money back for things you need while you’re delayed for at least five hours (six hours with our Essential plan), like a hotel stay or snacks. So, keep in mind that you should save all the receipts from your travel delay purchases to send in with your claim.

What are some other ways earthquake insurance can help me during my trip?

You can benefit from travel insurance with earthquake coverage in more ways than just reimbursement for flight disruptions.

If an earthquake crumbles your trip plans, we can offer financial support for incidents like:

  • An earthquake destroys your Airbnb home at your destination.
  • You need emergency medical care after falling during an earthquake.
  • The effects of an earthquake damage your suitcase.
  • An earthquake splits road pavement and you’re involved in a traffic accident.

Along with flight issues, earthquake insurance can reimburse surprise costs from urgent health care expenses, problems with your luggage, changes in your plans, and more. And, with our optional upgrades, you can add extra coverage like adventure activities and cancel for any reason (cancel for any fortuitous reason in NY).

How can I reach the Travelex 24/7 assistance provider if my trip is impacted by an earthquake?

We’re here for you if an earthquake changes your vacation plans. You can contact us by:

  • Tapping the assistance button in our Travelex Travel On app. Be sure to download and set up the app before you leave so it’s ready if you need us.
  • Calling our 24/7 emergency assistance provider. If you're in the U.S. or Canada, it's free to call 1-800-555-0870. From all other countries, you can call collect at 1-416-977-1803.

How can I receive earthquake travel alerts during my trip?

You may be able to hear about earthquakes in the news, but there are other helpful ways to stay updated with alerts while you’re traveling:

1. Our website

We may list earthquakes that could affect your coverage on our travel alerts page, so check it before and during your vacation.

2. Our Travel On app

After you buy one of our plans with earthquake coverage, the best way to stay updated on travel alerts is through our Travel On app.

Once you register your trip within the app, it can send you instant notifications about security concerns, give you information on your destination, and more.

Tips: It helps to set up the app right after purchasing your policy so you can be in the know before you go on your trip.

Does Travelex offer travel insurance for trip cancellation for any reason?

Yes, through our cancel for any reason upgrade — available only on our Ultimate plan.

With our base Ultimate, Advantage, and Essential plans, you can cancel your trip for specific reasons listed in your policy.

Want to be able to call off your trip and get your money back no matter what the reason is? You can purchase our Ultimate plan and add our cancel for any reason upgrade to your policy. With this upgrade, we can reimburse you up to 75% of your insured trip costs ($7,500 maximum) after you cancel up to two days before your departure date.

Important: Make sure you insure all your prepaid and nonrefundable trip expenses (your trip cost can't be more than $10,000) in your plan and insure additional travel arrangements within 14 days of booking them. You also need to get our Ultimate plan and cancel for any reason upgrade at the same time within 21 days of your initial payment for your trip and 31 days or more before your departure date.

Why do I need earthquake insurance coverage if my scheduled airline may refund me?

You could try to get your money back from the airline after they cancel your flight because of an earthquake, but there may be a lot of hoops to jump through to get a refund. Even if you do get a refund, your airline won’t provide coverage for the other parts of your trip that you already paid for, like nonrefundable tours and hotel rooms.

This is why travel insurance with earthquake coverage can be a good choice: Not only could it pay you back for your canceled flight for eligible reasons if your airline won’t, but it can also help offset the costs of other prepaid and unused trip expenses. Rather than just flight disruptions, earthquake insurance can help protect your whole trip from start to finish.

Is travel insurance with earthquake coverage worth it?

It’s worth protecting your trip, because unknown and unexpected factors can affect any trip!

There isn’t always a warning before an earthquake, which can leave your trip plans up to chance. Travel insurance for earthquakes can help you travel confidently knowing that if something goes wrong, like your flight is canceled or you get injured because of an earthquake, our team can help give you back your out-of-pocket costs and help you organize your trip plans.

How do I file a claim for earthquake coverage?

You can file a claim easily on our website. Just enter your policy confirmation number on our online claims portal and follow the prompts.

To talk with our claims administrator, Zurich Travel Claims Administration, and get help filing a claim, you can use either of the below options:

Lean on earthquake insurance if your trip plans change

At Travelex, we’re here for you if an earthquake threatens your vacation. With 24/7 travel assistance services, our assistance provider can offer the relief you need while finding a solution to your changed plans.

It’s important that you understand your travel insurance earthquake coverage before your vacation starts so you know how it works — including benefits and exclusions — if you come across unexpected obstacles.

If you have more questions about our travel insurance earthquake coverage, you can reach out to our customer service team from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT at 1-800-228-9792.

Want to make your trip cost less vulnerable to earthquakes?

Travel with our earthquake insurance so you can relax and enjoy your vacation. Get a quote now.

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