TRIP INSURANCE RESOURCES

In a typical travel season +200 members go with Austin Skiers to fabulous ski resorts in North America or European countries. After +50 years of offering trips we have learned that travel plans can and do change, most often without warning. While some of our trips do offer optional (for an added expense) trip insurance through the tour operators e.g., Sports America, many of our trips do not have this option. We have members who have to cancel at the last minute resulting in a loss of all or the majority of their trip investment. Others suffered an injury requiring medical attention on site and surgery after returning. If you would like to avoid this unfortunate situation, we encourage you to research trip insurance options now.

• NOTE: If you want "Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) coverage, insurance you  MUST purchase insurance designated for that purpose generally within 14 to 21 days of the date you make your first payment (deposit), otherwise you forfeit some of the benefits. Buying it earlier affords you to get a pre-existing condition medical waiver. Standard cancellation benefits apply only for those benefits listed in the policy. It reimburses you for portion of the non-refundable, prepaid expenses of your trip if you want to cancel for reasons not listed in the base policy. They also come with their own special rules. You must cancel at least 48 hours in advance of your trips departure - so no last minute cancellations. Reimbursement is usually between 50-75% of your reservation depending on the plan. You will also need to purchase is fairly soon after you sign-up for your trip. Check with the insurance carrier as their cut-off dates will differ. BEFORE you sign up for a trip with Austin Skiers we encourage you to shop around, ask questions and compare.
  
• If you have already signed up for a trip you may still be able to purchase trip cancellation coverage for illness/injury before or during the trip.
  
• Make sure it covers the country or countries you're traveling to, including any possible excursions.
  
• Be sure to read the fine print and understand exclusions before purchasing trip insurance.
• Keep in mind that most elements of most policies are REIMBURSABLE! You pay upfront, file a lot of forms with the insurer & wait for payment. However, some medical costs are handled DIRECTLY by the insurer.
• Click on this link to help understand the difference between Trip Protection and Travel Insurance - they are quite different!
  
• Costs generally run between 5-10% of the cost of your trip.
• Italy REQUIRES you to purchase 3rd party liability coverage for skiing in their country. You can purchase before you leave, but is available in-country if you forget.
  
• Some countries and/or tour operators require you to show proof of vaccination prior to travel. 
  
  Are you wondering if trip insurance is right for you? Check out this article in Forbes on the 12 Best Insurance Companies of July 2024. For a description of each product listed in order of ranking: PrimeCover (best for Evacuation); Travel Insured International; (best for non-medical evacuation; WorldTrips (great for add-on coverage); Travel Safe (best for missed connections); Nationwide (best for policy perks); AIG (best for customization); Seven Corners (great for Medical & Evacuation); AXA Assistance USA (best for baggage); General Global Assistance (Great for Pre-Existing medical conditions); Travelex (best for families); HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance (best for trip interruption); and Nationwide (great for cruise itinerary change/inconvenience). If you want to shop around check out SquareMouth who will provide a side-by-side comparison of multiple quotes.
  
  

Where you travel to and the complexity of the trip will help determine how comprehensive you need to be when purchasing trip insurance. A comprehensive policy will include such things as: trip cancellation/trip interruption coverage; trip delay; medical expenses; medical evacuation; and lost baggage.

If you're traveling just within the U.S. then likely your medical expenses will be covered. However, if you're traveling overseas check your plan for any global coverage. If you're 65 and older and on Medicare - it typically isn't accepted. You'll need to check to make sure it provides coverage: for doctor bills; ambulance; hospital and operating room; examinations, x-ray and labs; and medicine (Rx).

Before you sign-up for trip insurance you'd be wise in looking at your credit cards to see if they come with any coverage e.g., trip interruption or trip cancellation insurance. According to Forbes these are the best Travel Insurance Credit Cards for travel insurance.

Pandemics: as a general rule Travel Insurance policies don’t provide coverage for pandemics or a fear of getting sick. They typically have a very specific list (Named Perils) – much like you can purchase for your home or commercial business – of covered reasons for cancellation e.g., losing a job or a terrorist attack. The policy language regarding this isn’t anything new as virus exclusions began appearing in policies since the SARS epidemic of 2002-04. Regulation of insurance policies for the most part are governed by states not the federal government who have approved these exclusions for years. Click here for the latest updates on Travel Insurance and Coronavirus. Keep in mind that some plans may exclude epidemics/pandemics and may not provide coverage for related issues.

Please know, Austin Skiers does not endorse any of the above named insurance providers or their services and we do not require you to purchase trip insurance to travel with our non-profit club. These resources are only provided for your convenience. If you have concerns about the reputation of any travel insurance company ask about their Better Business Bureau rating or their affiliation with the US Travel Insurance Association.

• Do you cover snow skiing?
• Do you cover snowboarding?
• Do you cover heliskiing?
  
• When does travel insurance begin/end? 
• Do you cover Zip Lining?
  

• Am I covered in the US and abroad and when would my policy take effect?
  
• What medical coverage do you provide? Does your medical coverage act as the primary insurance when covering my medical needs during travel? Is my pre-existing medical condition covered? How is pre-existing defined? Can I obtain a waiver? If not, what is covered under your policy?
• Am I required to cover 100% of my trip costs or can I choose the amount to cover?
• Are weather delays/interruptions covered? Are strikes, civil disturbances, terrorist acts covered? 
• What if I miss a flight or get stranded during a trip - am I covered?
• Is medical evacuation covered? This is especially important for international destinations!
  
• Is there protection for lost, delayed or damaged luggage?
  
• What if I decide to cancel my trip for any reason, do you offer that type of policy? What are the requirements or exclusions?
• Am I covered (Financial Default Coverage) if my travel supplier suffers partial or complete suspension of their business?
  
• What documentation is required if I file a claim and how long does the processing take?
• Do you offer 24-hour assistance to answer my questions while I am traveling?
  
• How long has your company been in business? What carrier is underwriting the policy and what is their A.B Best rating? What accreditation do you have? What is your BBB rating?
• When is the best time to purchase to get the most coverage?
  

UPDATED: 7/21/2024