Travel insurance policies vary in terms of what they don’t cover, so it’s important to understand the policy details and exclusion list.
Travel insurance policies generally don’t cover pre-existing medical conditions unless the policy has a pre-existing medical condition waiver or provides benefits for acute reoccurance of a pre-existing condition.
It’s common for travel insurance policies to have exclusions for pregnancy/maternity benefits, or claims that stem from illegal activities or drug/alcohol use. Some policies exclude COVID-related claims.
Some policies also exclude coverage for risky activities or sports. But if your itinerary includes activities such as hot air ballooning, skydiving, scuba diving, whitewater rafting, or zip lining, you can find travel insurance policies that offer coverage for high-risk activities via an adventure sports add-on/rider.
The trip cancellation portion of travel insurance varies depending on whether you buy a policy that allows you to cancel for any reason (including just changing your mind about the trip), or only for involuntary reasons that may be specifically enumerated by the policy – such as jury duty, the death of a family member, or an illness that prevents travel and is certified by a doctor.