What Does and Doesn't Standard Travel Insurance Cover?
Just bought travel insurance and not 100% sure what it exactly covers? Don't worry. 87% of travelers never read their policy completely. We summarize everything essential so you know exactly what to expect (and what not to) from your insurance.
What standard travel insurance DOES cover
Emergency medical assistance
Included:
- • Emergency medical consultations
- • Hospitalization for accident or sudden illness
- • Emergency surgeries
- • Emergency prescribed medications
- • Necessary diagnostic tests
- • Dental care for acute pain (limit $300-500)
Typical limits:
- • Basic: $30,000-$60,000 USD
- • Premium: $100,000-$500,000 USD
- • Deductible: $0-$100 USD per event
Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Evacuación médica: Medical evacuation: Transfer to hospital with adequate capacity if local center cannot treat your condition.
- Repatriación sanitaria: Medical repatriation: Medical flight back to your country when medically advisable.
- Repatriación de restos: Repatriation of remains: In case of death, coverage for transfer of mortal remains.
Typical limits: $100,000-$1,000,000 USD (usually unlimited in premium plans)
Trip cancellation and interruption
Covered reasons:
- • Serious illness of traveler or direct family member
- • Serious accident preventing travel
- • Family death (up to 2nd degree)
- • Unjustified job dismissal
- • Serious home problems (fire, theft)
- • Airline cancellation
Typical coverage:
- • Non-refundable expenses: Flights, hotels, tours
- • Limit: $5,000-$50,000 USD
- • Condition: Purchase insurance within 14-21 days after first deposit
Baggage loss and damage
Covers:
- • Definitive loss by airline
- • Theft with police report
- • Accidental damage during transport
- • Baggage delay +12-24 hours
- • Personal items in hotel
Limits and conditions:
- • Total: $500-$3,000 USD
- • Per item: $250-$500 USD
- • Delay: $100-$300 USD for basic purchases
- • Exclusion: Cash, documents, fragile items
Legal assistance
- • Bail advance ($5,000-$10,000)
- • Lawyer location
- • Accident assistance
Civil liability
- • Third-party damages ($25,000-$100,000)
- • Involuntary accidents
- • Property damage to others
Additional services
- • 24/7 concierge
- • Family location
- • Telephone interpreters
What it DOESN'T cover (important exclusions)
Most common medical exclusions
Pre-existing conditions:
- • Undeclared chronic diseases
- • Ongoing treatments at time of travel
- • Regular medication not mentioned
- • Known pregnancy (except complications)
Exception: Some insurance covers pre-existing conditions if declared and travel is insured within 14-21 days after first payment.
Excluded treatments:
- • Cosmetic/elective surgeries
- • Fertility treatments
- • Alternative/experimental medicine
- • Routine preventive checkups
- • Psychiatric/psychological care
- • Addictions (alcohol, drugs)
Activity exclusions
Extreme sports:
- • Mountaineering +3,000m
- • Diving +30m depth
- • Skydiving/bungee
- • Motorized sports
- • Off-piste skiing
Professional activities:
- • Manual/physical work
- • Journalism in risk zones
- • Military activities
- • Sports competitions
Risk situations:
- • Intentional acts
- • Participation in riots
- • Driving without license
- • Under influence of alcohol
Geographic and temporal exclusions
Conflict zones:
- • Countries with government warnings
- • Active war zones
- • Areas with active natural disasters
- • Countries under international sanctions
Time limitations:
- • Trips over 365 days
- • Unnotified extensions
- • Trips started without valid insurance
- • Renewals with new medical problems
"Gray" cases: Is it covered or not?
COVID-19 and pandemics
Generally DOES cover:
- ✓ Medical treatment if you contract COVID
- ✓ Mandatory quarantine expenses
- ✓ Cancellation due to confirmed illness
Generally DOESN'T cover:
- ✗ Cancellation due to "fear of infection"
- ✗ Changes in government restrictions
- ✗ Preventive quarantine without symptoms
Dental care
Cubierto: Covered: Acute and unexpected dental pain, emergency treatment for accident.
No cubierto: Not covered: Cleanings, preventive treatments, pre-existing dental problems, orthodontics.
Typical limit: $300-$1,000 USD per event.
Pregnancy and complications
DOES cover:
- ✓ Unexpected complications
- ✓ Premature birth (before week 32)
- ✓ Spontaneous abortion
- ✓ Pregnancy emergencies
DOESN'T cover:
- ✗ Normal full-term delivery
- ✗ Routine prenatal checkups
- ✗ Newborn expenses
- ✗ Cancellation due to known pregnancy
Electronic equipment
Cubierto: Covered: Theft with violence and report, damage during air transport, loss due to airline negligence.
No cubierto: Not covered: Water/sand damage, loss due to carelessness, damage from normal use, equipment left unattended.
Important: Limit per item is usually $500-$1,000 USD, insufficient for expensive laptops.
How to verify your actual coverage
Checklist before traveling
Read the complete "Exclusions" section
It's the most important part of your policy. That's where it says what it DOESN'T cover.
Verify specific limits by coverage type
Not just the total limit, but by category: medical, baggage, cancellation.
Confirm your destination is covered
Some countries may be excluded due to political situations.
Declare special activities you plan
Better to ask beforehand than regret later.
Save emergency numbers in your phone
Both the international number and local one if available.
Photograph your policy and important documents
Store them in the cloud and share with a family member.
The 5 most costly myths about travel insurance
Myth 1: "My credit card already covers me"
Reality: Cards usually only cover transport accidents and have very low limits. They rarely include complete medical assistance or evacuation.
Myth 2: "It covers any cancellation"
Reality: Only covers specific reasons listed in the policy. "Changed my mind" or "found better price" are not covered.
Myth 3: "All sports are covered"
Reality: Only basic "recreational" sports. Anything with elevated risk (diving +30m, mountaineering, etc.) requires special coverage.
Myth 4: "I can buy it when I'm already traveling"
Reality: Must be purchased before leaving your country of residence. Buying during the trip means limited or no coverage.
Myth 5: "The most expensive is always the best"
Reality: High price doesn't guarantee better coverage for YOUR needs. A $200 USD insurance may be unnecessary for a basic $800 USD trip.
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SegurosFly Team
Travel insurance specialists who have reviewed over 1,000 claim cases. We help travelers understand exactly what they're buying before traveling.