Travel Insurance
Why we highly recommend you purchase travel insurance:
Nobody signs up for a retreat expecting to cancel their trip, but unplanned circumstances do occur and if you think it can’t happen to you, it can.*
We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance. It protects you if you have an unexpected change in travel plans, and it protects your health and well-being on your trip.
Trip/travel insurance need not be expensive, costing in the range of $60-$200 for most of our retreats (depending on your age, trip cost, and type of coverage).
It’s very simple and quick to get insured online with a few clicks. (Suggested websites below.)
*An example:
Let’s assume you are signed up for a retreat and hurt your leg a week before the trip. If you have no trip insurance, you will call us and we will be very sad to tell you there is no refund – because our costs are mostly un-reimbursable to us, and you might have displaced someone who otherwise could have gone on the retreat. You might then be unhappy with us, even though you took the risk of not getting travel insurance. If you do have trip insurance, you will receive your entire airfare and trip cost from the insurance company (provided your reason for cancellation is a covered reason) and can start planning for your next retreat.
Additionally, please check that your current health insurance programs cover travel abroad.
Some things to Consider
Plans and companies vary in what they cover and under what circumstances. Be sure you understand the coverage provided by the plan you choose.
Also note that some credit cards, especially high-end credit cards like AmEx already include travel insurance – check if yours does, and be sure you understand the coverage provided.
Suggestions on travel insurance companies.
This is not an endorsement of any of these companies. We have maintained a policy with Allianz for a number of years, but fortunately have never needed to file a claim.
Allianz Travel insurance will honor the date the tour is confirmed to run as the booking date. (Available for US residents only.)
TripAssure (MHRoss) offers instant quotes with several tiers of plans. Pricing for 65 and older is higher, but you will likely find the benefits are better – including a “cancel for any reason” plan (which must be booked within 14 days of the booking date). TripAssure will honor the date the tour is confirmed to run as the booking date. (Available for US residents only.)
TravelInsurance.com. This is a consolidator that can easily sort and compare plans, prices and benefits from top rated companies after you enter your trip details.
Generalitravelinsurance.com A highly-rated company that’s easy to use.
worldnomads.com – Very popular among adventure travelers, various plans, they only insure travelers under age 70.
COVID-19 and Travel Insurance
Insurance companies have been confronted for not providing coverage for COVID-19. There is often fine print in their agreement saying pandemics are not covered. Our advice is to carefully read the insurance details, consider purchasing “cancel for any reason” insurance, and to purchase travel insurance regardless, as you would have in the past – for other unforeseen issues.
