Can You Change Your Travel Insurance Policy After Purchase?
 |
| Can You Change Your Travel Insurance Policy After Purchase? |
When planning a vacation, purchasing travel insurance may provide peace of mind that you and your family will be covered in the event of an unforeseen incident.
But, as everyone knows, plans change. And when they do, you may need to change your travel insurance coverage. Making adjustments to your travel insurance, such as extending coverage for extra activities or accommodating another family member, will help guarantee that you are completely covered while you are abroad.
In this post, we'll look at whether it's necessary to update an existing travel insurance policy, what changes you may make, and how to put them into action.
Why You May Want to Update Your Policy
There are various reasons you may wish to change your travel insurance coverage. Let us have a look!
Additional Activities
After purchasing travel insurance, you may choose to include extra activities such as safaris, bungee jumping, or cruises. These activities may not be covered under the initial policy, but you may expand coverage by including them in the cost of your insured trip.
preexisting medical conditions
If you were unaware of a previous medical condition when purchasing your policy, it may be necessary to add coverage for it to your current travel insurance policy to prevent claims from being denied while abroad. Many insurance companies, however, do not cover prior medical issues, so always check your policy's tiny language.
Change of plans
If you wish to shorten or prolong your trip or change your location, you may need to adjust your travel insurance policy to guarantee that your coverage remains intact.
Increase the coverage limitations. Another reason to change your travel insurance policy is to increase the coverage limits for greater safety. In the event of a catastrophic emergency, you may choose to increase your medical and evacuation coverage from $500,000 to $1,000,000.
Change of travel partner
If a family member quits the planned trip, your travel insurance coverage may need to be adjusted to reflect the changes in the traveling group.
You may also wish to amend minor trip data on your itinerary, such as the dates of travel, the amount paid, or any mistakes you made while obtaining your insurance.
Remember that each provider has various regulations and limits when it comes to altering policies, so check with them first before making any changes.
Changes you cannot make following your initial purchase
As previously said, what you can and cannot modify after obtaining your travel insurance plan is determined by the provider; nevertheless, there are a few things you will most likely be unable to change.
For example, if the number of people on your trip has changed, you will most likely be unable to amend your existing itinerary to reflect this. Most insurers do not allow passengers to be added to current plans, but you can usually purchase new insurance for those travelers.
Also, if you decide to prolong your vacation after you've already left, some insurers will not let you change your trip dates to fit your plan.
Remember, nothing is fixed in stone. If you need to make adjustments to your plan, contact and talk with a customer care representative (or even the 24/7 support service line) to see whether it is doable. Some adjustments are free, while others may incur extra charges.
How to Modify Your Current Travel Insurance Plan
So, how exactly do you go about upgrading your travel insurance?
To begin, evaluate your policy to discover what modifications are permitted and what the procedure is for making such changes. To update a policy, most providers need you to fill out certain guidelines or documents. Some providers allow you to quickly make adjustments online, while others need you to call and talk with a customer care professional.
Often, the simplest option is to just contact your insurance carrier and ask about the procedure for making policy changes. They can provide you with precise information on what changes are permitted, what paperwork is required, and any related expenses.
If the insurance provider requests further paperwork, such as verification of a change in plans or a note from a medical practitioner, please submit it as quickly as possible.
Keep in mind that changing your insurance may influence its cost, so be sure to research those expenses before making any changes.
Once everything has been filed, you should follow up with the insurance provider to check that your changes have been applied and your policy has been updated before departing on your trip. The last thing you want is to find out that the adjustments were never made or that the papers you presented were rejected when filing a claim.
What else do I need to know about updating my policy?
Here are a few additional things to consider while upgrading your travel insurance coverage.
Insurance carriers may have timing constraints for policy modifications. For example, you may only be allowed to raise your coverage limitations until 15 days before departure. Check with the supplier for specific time limits, and send changes as soon as possible.
Updating your coverage may incur extra expenses. Before making any modifications, consider the policy's cost.
After updating your travel insurance, evaluate the modified policy to ensure correct coverage for the whole trip.
Keep your insurance documentation up-to-date. Keep a copy of your current insurance documentation on hand, and carry it with you on your vacation.
To stay in touch with your insurance provider, jot down their contact information before leaving for easy access. You may stay in touch with the provider during your journey in case you need to submit a claim or want help.
Remember that not all suppliers provide the same coverage or modification choices. It's always a good idea to browse around and compare multiple plans and providers before making a purchase to guarantee you have the customized coverage you want.
Final Thoughts
Overall, upgrading your travel insurance coverage is a rather easy procedure. Most insurance companies offer policy flexibility and will allow you to make the most modifications. You may have to pay a higher premium or fee.
If you want to keep your insurance costs low, compare pricing and policies from numerous suppliers, which you can do at TravelInsurance.com. It's a free tool that may help you save time and money on travel insurance for your next trip.