Mondial Assistance

No matter how carefully you plan, you can’t control everything that might affect your travel. With travel insurance, you have protection from many costs and inconveniences that might result from certain unexpected events. How does it work? Find the answer to this and other frequently asked questions below.
If you have any other questions for us, call us at 1-888-489-3227, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Questions

• What is travel insurance?  
• Why do I need travel insurance?  
• What does travel insurance cover?  
• When is the best time to purchase travel insurance in order to be covered? 
• Won't my credit card, homeowner's policy, or medical insurance give me the coverage I need when I'm traveling?  
• What will the 24-hour hotline service do for me?  
• If I cancel my trip, do I get all of my money back?  
• What is included under non-refundable costs?  
• Are there events or medical conditions that aren't covered?  
• Do you have a glossary of travel insurance terms to help me understand my coverage? 
• What is an Existing Medical Condition? 

Answers

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a combination of travel insurance and 24-hour emergency assistance services designed to give you peace of mind when you travel. Whether you are traveling in the U.S. or abroad, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have travel insurance through Mondial Assistance. We offer a variety of products to meet all types of travel needs.
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Why do I need travel insurance?

There are many reasons you may need travel insurance—and perhaps the most compelling reason is the sense of security that travel insurance can give you. Not only can it insure your financial investment (up to the amount of your policy limits) if your trip is cancelled or interrupted for a covered reason, but it also provides financial and logistic support in case of medical emergencies.
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What does travel insurance cover?

Each policy varies, but travel insurance typically insures that you'll be reimbursed for non-refundable financial expenses associated with a cancelled or interrupted trip, lost baggage, or medical emergencies (Exclusions may apply, depending upon the policy you purchase).
Coverage categories include:

• Trip Cancellation—Provides reimbursement for certain non-refundable trip costs if you need to call off your trip for an unforeseen reason.
• Trip Interruption-- Covers certain costs if covered unforeseen circumstances cut your travels short.
• Flight Insurance--Provides coverage for loss of life, limb or eyesight while traveling on a certified passenger aircraft during a regularly scheduled trip or charter.
• Emergency Medical Transportation –Covers the cost of safe transport to the nearest appropriate medical facility to receive emergency care.
• Emergency Medical / Dental Coverage—Provides reimbursement for certain costs for a medical or dental emergency that occurs during your journey.
• Collision/Loss amage for Rental Cars—Covers certain costs if your rental car is damaged or stolen.
• Lost or Stolen Baggage--Covers certain costs related to lost, stolen or damaged baggage such as luggage and personal possessions.
• Baggage Delay—Provides reimbursement for essentials if your luggage is delayed for at least 24 hours.
• Travel Delay--Covers reasonable costs of additional meals and lodging if your trip is delayed more than six hours due to a covered reason.
• Missed Connection--Covers certain expenses to help you catch up to your tour or cruise if you miss a connection for a covered reason.

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When is the best time to purchase travel insurance in order to be covered?

You can buy travel insurance up until the day before you leave on your trip, but you may be eligible for additional coverage if you purchase it sooner. For example, if you purchase a travel insurance policy within 14 days of making your initial deposit on your trip, you may covered if your travel supplier defaults, and you may be covered for a pre-existing condition*.  Be sure to evaluate the specific benefits and coverage that apply to you before purchasing your policy. *Please refer to the Certificate of Insurance/Policy for restrictions, limitations and conditions that may apply.

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Won't my credit card, homeowner's policy, or medical insurance give me the coverage I need when I'm traveling?

Not necessarily. You should check these policies before you travel to assess just how you would be covered in case you have an emergency.
Credit cards and homeowner's policies. Many credit cards and homeowner's policies don't cover everything you need to protect, including some types of emergencies and trip cancellation/interruption. If they do provide coverage, it's often limited, depending on the type of card you use or the coverage you have with your homeowner's policy.
Health insurance. Most health insurance plans don't provide direct payment to foreign hospitals. They may also have deductibles and won't cover the cost of emergency medical transportation.
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What will the 24-hour hotline service do for me?

Our 24-hour hotline is staffed with multilingual specialists who can help you with all types of situations from anywhere in the world, from reporting lost baggage to getting emergency medical treatment. They can also help you replace passports, refer you to legal assistance, secure cash in case of emergency and guarantee payment to gain admission into a hospital.
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If I cancel my trip, do I get all of my money back?

No. Trip cancellation coverage refunds prepaid, nonrefundable payments if you have to cancel your trip for one of the reasons covered by your policy. Covered reasons include the following: sudden medical emergencies , bad weather, terrorist incidents, and jury duty. Changing your mind about taking a trip or having certain business obligations are not covered. If you cancel your trip for a covered reason, you must notify your travel supplier(s) within 72 hours of the occurrence, otherwise the right to compensation will lapse.
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What is included under non-refundable costs?

Non-refundable costs include the total sum of all of your trip payments that would be forfeited due to cancellation prior to trip departure. Some examples include cruise, tour and airline ticket costs. Be sure to consult your travel coordinator to determine what costs are non-refundable for your particular trip as cancellation policies vary. Examples:

• Cruise - If a cruise costs $3,000 and the cruise policy is 50% loss at 90 days out, 75% loss at 45 days out and 100% loss up to 7 days within departure, you would need to insure for the full $3,000 since you would be out the full amount in the event you cancelled within the week before departure.
• Airline - If an airline ticket costs $700, and the ticket is 100% non-refundable at the time of purchase, you would need to insure for the full $700 in order to qualify for the pre-existing conditions waiver (other requirements still apply).

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Are there events or medical conditions that aren't covered?

Every travel insurance plan contains restrictions and limitations. Review your policy carefully to familiarize yourself with the specifics of your coverage. You can also contact us if you have questions about your coverage.
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Do you have a glossary of travel insurance terms to help me understand my coverage?

Yes. This site includes definitions of common travel insurance terms.
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What is an existing medical condition?

An existing medical condition is considered to be an illness or injury that you, a traveling companion or family member were seeking or receiving treatment for or had symptoms of on the day you purchased your plan, or at any time in the 120 days before you purchased it. Please also note that you may still be covered for losses caused by reasons other than those related to an existing medical condition. See the Certificate of Insurance / Policy for details.
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