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Traveling internationally can be an exhilarating experience, but unforeseen situations—medical emergencies, cancellations, or lost luggage—can quickly turn your dream trip into a highly stressful situation. That’s why we require travel insurance for all our Italy retreat goers.
We wholeheartedly recommend that our retreat guests take ownership of their entire trip, understand all that it entails, be informed about traveling internationally and be prepared for challenges that may arise. We always say, read through all of the emails we provide including details prior to the trip, then read them again, print them out and consider bringing them with you. You’d be surprised how many guests have said to us, “Yes I know I bought travel insurance but I’ve no clue what I bought!” We get it. Traveling should be more about the dreamy parts and insurance is just….boring. Yet so wise and necessary for peace of mind.
Selecting the right policy ensures peace of mind, but with so many options available, it can feel overwhelming. It’s helpful to carve out an hour or two to really focus on being informed about your options. Make a few calls, send the email inquiries. This guide will help you choose the best travel insurance, understand your options, and hopefully, even make the process of filing a claim as smooth as possible.
I’ve had personal experience with needing to use travel insurance, and it saved me thousands of dollars in unforeseen expenses when I had a medical emergency abroad.
Comparing Policies
Before you start comparing policies, clarify what coverage you need. Here are a few things to look for:
Medical Coverage: For accidents, illnesses, and emergency evacuations.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption: Protects prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you cancel your trip for covered reasons.
“Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR): A premium add-on allowing you to cancel your trip for reasons not covered under standard policies.
Baggage Loss/Delay: Reimburses you for lost or delayed luggage.
Emergency Assistance: For help finding medical care, legal assistance, or transport.
Start by comparing reputable travel insurance providers like Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads, Travel Guard, GeoBlue, and IMG Global. I like to use an aggregator website that does side-by-side comparisons, such as SquareMouth or InsureMyTrip.
Pay special attention to coverage limits, exclusions and Cancel For Any Reason Add-ons. Ensure the limits match the potential risks of your trip. Read the fine print for pre-existing condition exclusions or activities like extreme sports. Verify that CFAR is an option, as not all providers offer it. Usually, it must be purchased within 14–21 days of your initial trip booking.
Evaluate Claims Responsiveness
The true test of an insurer is how they handle claims. Some insurers are known for being more responsive. Here are a few companies that I have found that have good reputations for being quick to take care of problems:
Allianz: Highly rated for its robust customer support and 24/7 assistance hotline. A traveler with an Allianz policy had to cancel a trip due to a sudden illness. Allianz promptly processed their claim and reimbursed the costs within two weeks.
World Nomads: Popular with frequent travelers and adventurers as you can purchase policies that last for the whole year instead of just one trip. They offer an easy online claims process.
AXA Assistance USA: Praised online for quick reimbursements and responsive claims handling. They have a dedicated claims team reachable by phone and email.
Travel Guard: Easy online claims portal. One client who lost their luggage on a flight used Travel Guard’s online claims portal to submit receipts for emergency clothing purchases. The claim was processed within ten days, and they received reimbursement promptly, plus they had new clothes for their retreat!
You can actually call your travel insurance claim number ahead of time to see how easy (or difficult) it is to get in touch with your company and what it would look like to have to use the policy you are purchasing.
Credit Cards with Travel Insurance
Many premium credit cards offer built-in travel insurance, so it is worth it to check and see if you are already carrying travel insurance with your credit card company.
Chase Sapphire Reserve, The Platinum Card from American Express and Capital One Venture X all include trip delay and interruption coverage. These are just a few examples. Be sure to review your card’s policy to understand the limits and exclusions.
In order to claim through your credit card, you need to have actually made the travel purchases on the card through which you are filing a claim. So it’s worth trying to use one premium travel credit card for all your travel purchases if possible.
Credit card insurance often complements standalone policies but may not be sufficient for extensive international trips. Just as with other travel insurance companies, it’s best to compare, read reviews and the fine print before you travel.
Be Prepared For Filing A Claim
Filing a claim can be straightforward if you’re prepared. Travel with your policy number and provider’s contact details.
Keep receipts for expenses (e.g., flights, hotels, medical bills) and any documentation of proof of loss (e.g., airline delay notice, police report for theft). Hold onto medical records if you plan to claim health-related expenses.
Most insurers have downloadable forms or online portals. If you need to file a claim, contact your insurer as soon as possible to report the incident. Submit your claim online or via email, attaching all necessary documentation. You should get a claim number to make it easy to follow up regularly to track your claim’s status.
Final Tips
Start early! Purchase insurance as soon as you place your deposit and book your trip to maximize benefits like CFAR.
Read reviews of other travelers’ experiences. They will highlight insurers’ strengths and weaknesses. Talk to your friends and family and see what companies they use and like.
Investing in the right travel insurance saves my retreat attendees from significant financial losses and stress before, during and after their retreat. It’s why we require that you purchase travel insurance before you come one retreat.
A retreat to Italy is a delight. It’s even more delightful to know that if something unforeseen happens, you can take a deep breath, let go and know that you’ll be ok.