Error #1: Choosing Based on Price Alone (the Most Costly)

📖 Real case:

Ana bought the cheapest insurance for her trip to Thailand ($45 USD for 15 days).

❌ Error: Medical coverage of only $25,000 USD.

💥 Consecuencia: Appendicitis → Surgery cost $85,000 USD. She paid $60,000 USD out of pocket.

💸 Saved $35 USD, lost $60,000 USD.

🚩 Red flags:

🚩 Extremely low price (<$3/day).
🚩 Medical coverage <$50,000 USD.
🚩 Fine print with multiple "exclusions."
🚩 Negative online reviews about claim payment.

✅ How to avoid it:

✅ 3-5% rule: Spend 3-5% of your total trip cost on insurance.
✅ Compare at least 3 policies with similar coverage.
✅ Prioritize: medical coverage ≥ $100,000 USD > price.

Practical example:

Trip to Europe: $2,000 USD → Budget $60-100 USD for comprehensive insurance.

Error #2: Not Reading the Exclusions (the Classic)

📖 Real case:

Carlos rented a motorcycle in Bali.

❌ Error: His insurance excluded "motorized vehicles without a local license."

💥 Consecuencia: Accident → Fracture. Paid $18,000 USD out of pocket.

💡 He didn't read that motorcycles were excluded without an IDP.

🚫 Common exclusions you should check:

🚫 Adventure sports: diving >18m, bungee jumping, skydiving.
🚫 Pre-existing conditions: asthma, diabetes, hypertension (without prior declaration).
🚫 Motorcycles/scooters: require International Driving Permit (IDP).
🚫 High-risk countries: Syria, Afghanistan, North Korea (check specific list).
🚫 Under the influence: accidents under alcohol/drugs.

✅ How to avoid it:

✅ Read section 7: Exclusions in the policy (usually 2-3 pages).
✅ Identify your activities: Will you dive? Rent a motorcycle? → Ensure they're covered.
✅ Hire add-ons if necessary (adventure sports, pre-existing conditions).

⚡ Quick tip:

Search the policy PDF (Ctrl+F) for: "excluded," "not covered," "limitations."

Error #3: Buying at the Last Minute (Risky)

📖 Real case:

Laura bought insurance at the airport (3 hours before her flight to Mexico).

❌ Error: 48-hour waiting period for medical coverage.

💥 Consecuencia: Food poisoning on day 1 → ER. Not covered.

💸 Paid $2,400 USD out of pocket.

⏰ Critical timelines:

⏰ Medical waiting period: 24-48 hours from policy purchase.
⏰ Trip cancellation: must be purchased within 15-21 days of initial deposit.
⏰ Pre-existing conditions: requires 14-30 days in advance (depending on insurer).
⏰ Adventure sports: some require 7 days in advance.

✅ How to avoid it:

✅ Buy insurance immediately after booking your flight/hotel.
✅ Ideal window: 24-48 hours after first travel payment.
✅ Set reminders: "Buy insurance in 2 weeks" (if needed).

💰 Bonus:

Buying in advance = access to cancellation coverage for any reason (some insurers).

Error #4: Assuming "My Credit Card Covers Me" (Dangerous)

📖 Real case:

Javier traveled to Japan relying on his Platinum credit card.

❌ Error: Card coverage: only flight delays (max $500) and lost baggage ($1,500).

💥 Consecuencia: Car accident → Hospitalization. Card didn't cover medical expenses ($45,000 USD).

💡 Credit cards ≠ comprehensive insurance.

🚩 What credit cards DON'T cover (usually):

❌ Medical expenses (or very low limits: $5,000-10,000).
❌ Emergency evacuations ($50,000-150,000 typical cost).
❌ Civil liability (if you cause damage to third parties).
❌ Pre-existing conditions.
❌ Adventure sports.

✅ How to avoid it:

✅ Call your bank: Ask for exact card coverage (request in writing).
✅ Compare vs. comprehensive insurance:
→ Example: Credit card covers $10,000 medical vs. $100,000 with insurance.
✅ Use both: Card for baggage/delays + insurance for medical/evacuation.

Error #5: Not Declaring Pre-existing Conditions (Fatal)

📖 Real case:

María (diabetic, controlled) didn't declare her condition.

❌ Error: Hypoglycemic episode in Paris → ER.

💥 Consecuencia: Insurer denied claim: "undisclosed pre-existing condition."

💸 Paid $22,000 USD out of pocket.

🚩 What counts as "pre-existing":

⚠️ Chronic diseases: diabetes, hypertension, asthma, epilepsy.
⚠️ Recent treatments: surgery/hospitalization in the last 6-12 months.
⚠️ Ongoing medications: daily or regular.
⚠️ Mental health: depression, anxiety (with treatment).

✅ How to avoid it:

✅ Always declare all conditions (even if controlled).
✅ Stability requirement: most insurers require 60-90 days without changes in treatment.
✅ Hire specific add-on: costs 20-50% more, but covers pre-existing conditions.
✅ Medical certificate: some insurers request one (prepare in advance).

⚠️ Important:

If in doubt, declare it. Insurers audit medical records when paying large claims.

Error #6: Not Understanding "Reimbursement" vs. "Direct Payment"

📖 Real case:

Pedro had a car accident in Italy.

❌ Error: His insurance operated under "reimbursement" (not direct payment).

💥 Consecuencia: He had to pay $35,000 USD upfront and wait 45 days for reimbursement.

💡 He didn't have liquidity → Used high-interest credit cards.

🚩 Key differences:

Reimbursement (less convenient):

• You pay at the hospital/doctor.
• You request reimbursement with documents (invoices, reports).
• Waiting: 15-60 days.
• Need: liquidity + credit card with high limits.

Direct payment (ideal):

• Insurer pays the hospital directly.
• You call the emergency number → They coordinate everything.
• You don't pay anything (or minimal copay).

✅ How to avoid it:

✅ Confirm type of payment before buying (read section "Claims" or "Procedures").
✅ Prioritize direct payment insurance (especially for medical expenses).
✅ Backup card: carry a card with at least $10,000 available (just in case).

⚡ Quick tip:

Ask the agent: "If I have an accident, do I pay first or does the insurer pay directly?"

Error #7: Ignoring Emergency Assistance (Critical)

📖 Real case:

Sofía suffered a stroke in Thailand.

❌ Error: Her insurance didn't include medical evacuation.

💥 Consecuencia: Emergency flight to Spain: $95,000 USD. Family paid with crowdfunding.

💡 Emergency assistance saves lives (and fortunes).

🚩 Essential emergency services:

🚁 Medical evacuation: air ambulance to home country ($50,000-200,000).
✈️ Repatriation of remains: in case of death ($10,000-30,000).
👨‍👩‍👧 Companion trip: if you're hospitalized >7 days.
📞 24/7 hotline: multilingual, coordinates everything.

✅ How to avoid it:

Verify these coverage amounts:

• Emergency evacuation: ≥ $50,000 USD (minimum).
• Ideal for Asia/Africa/Remote: ≥ $150,000 USD.
• Repatriation of remains: ≥ $10,000 USD.
• Save emergency number: in your phone (before traveling).

Real example:

Evacuation from Nepal (trekking) to Madrid: $180,000 USD. Comprehensive insurance covered 100%.

Error #8: Not Covering the Entire Trip Duration

❌ Error: Mistake: Buying 10-day insurance for a 14-day trip to save $20 USD.

💥 Consecuencia: Consequence: Accident on day 12 → Not covered.

✅ Solution:

✅ Always add 2 extra days (for delays/changes).
✅ Long trip (>45 days)? → Annual multi-trip insurance (more economical).

Error #9: Not Reading Reviews of the Insurer

❌ Error: Mistake: Buying from an unknown insurer with "incredible" offers.

💥 Consecuencia: Consequence: Claims not answered, hidden phone numbers, long processing times.

✅ Solution:

✅ Research on Trustpilot, Google Reviews, travel forums.
✅ Prioritize insurers with: rating >4.0/5, >500 reviews, clear responses.
✅ Check if they're licensed in your country (insurance regulator).

Error #10: Not Keeping Evidence (When Filing a Claim)

❌ Error: Mistake: Throwing away invoices, not taking photos, not requesting medical reports.

💥 Consecuencia: Consequence: Claim denied for "insufficient documentation."

✅ Solution:

✅ Photo/Scan: all receipts, boarding passes, medical reports.
✅ Save: even water/medicine receipts (can be reimbursable).
✅ Request: written report from the doctor (with diagnosis + treatment).
✅ Notify insurer ASAP: preferably within 24-48 hours.

Comparative: Insurance Cost vs. Real Cost Without Coverage

Incident	Destination	Real Cost Without Insurance	Insurance Cost	Savings
Appendicitis + Surgery	USA	$85,000	$120	$84,880
Leg fracture + hospitalization	Japan	$45,000	$95	$44,905
Medical evacuation	Nepal	$180,000	$150	$179,850
Trip cancellation (family emergency)	Europe	$3,500	$85	$3,415
Baggage theft	Brazil	$2,800	$70	$2,730

📊 Average: For every $1 USD invested in insurance, you save $1,200 USD in potential costs.

Don't Fall Into These Mistakes: Compare and Choose Well

Now that you know the 10 most common mistakes, it's time to choose an insurance that truly protects you. At SegurosFly, we compare the best policies so you don't have to waste time (or money).

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SegurosFly Team

Travel insurance specialists who have analyzed +1,000 denied claims. This guide is based on real traveler mistakes and how to avoid them completely.

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10 Common Mistakes When Buying Travel Insurance

Error #1: Choosing Based on Price Alone (the Most Costly)

📖 Real case:

🚩 Red flags:

✅ How to avoid it:

Error #2: Not Reading the Exclusions (the Classic)

📖 Real case:

🚫 Common exclusions you should check:

✅ How to avoid it:

Error #3: Buying at the Last Minute (Risky)

📖 Real case:

⏰ Critical timelines:

✅ How to avoid it:

Error #4: Assuming "My Credit Card Covers Me" (Dangerous)

📖 Real case:

🚩 What credit cards DON'T cover (usually):

✅ How to avoid it:

Error #5: Not Declaring Pre-existing Conditions (Fatal)

📖 Real case:

🚩 What counts as "pre-existing":

✅ How to avoid it:

Error #6: Not Understanding "Reimbursement" vs. "Direct Payment"

📖 Real case:

🚩 Key differences:

✅ How to avoid it:

Error #7: Ignoring Emergency Assistance (Critical)

📖 Real case:

🚩 Essential emergency services:

✅ How to avoid it:

Error #8: Not Covering the Entire Trip Duration

Error #9: Not Reading Reviews of the Insurer

Error #10: Not Keeping Evidence (When Filing a Claim)

Interactive Checklist: Verify Before Buying

1. Defined My Needs:

2. Reviewed Essential Coverage:

3. Avoided Timing Mistakes:

Comparative: Insurance Cost vs. Real Cost Without Coverage

Don't Fall Into These Mistakes: Compare and Choose Well

SegurosFly Team