Yes, you can absolutely purchase travel insurance after booking your flight. While it’s generally recommended to buy travel insurance at the time of booking for optimal coverage, you can still secure a policy up until a certain point before your departure date.
However, it’s important to note that if you have a pre-existing medical condition, insurers willing to cover it will typically only do so if you purchase travel insurance at the time of booking. If you wait to buy travel insurance, you might need to secure specialized medical travel insurance to cover pre-existing conditions.
The Best Time to Buy Travel Insurance
The best time to purchase travel insurance is shortly after booking your flight. Buying travel insurance immediately after booking can help ensure coverage for pre-existing conditions, trip cancellations, and other issues.
Here are some key advantages of buying travel insurance right after booking:
Trip cancellation protection: The quicker you purchase travel insurance after booking, the faster you’ll be protected against unexpected cancellation costs. This is especially helpful for recouping non-refundable expenses if you need to cancel your plans for any reason covered by your policy.
Coverage for pre-existing conditions: Many travel insurance policies have a “look-back” period for pre-existing medical conditions, typically 60 days to two years before your policy’s effective date. Buying travel insurance right after booking can ensure that any pre-existing conditions are covered as long as you meet the policy’s requirements.
Travel protection review period: Some travel insurance providers offer a “free look” or review period, usually between 10 and 14 days after purchasing the policy. During this time, you can review the policy details and make any necessary changes or cancellations without penalty, giving you greater flexibility to get the coverage you need.
Variety of insurance plans: Buying travel insurance ahead of time gives you more time to research and compare different plans, ensuring you find the coverage that best suits your needs and budget. Buying at the last minute can mean a rushed decision or accidentally securing insurance with inadequate coverage.
see also: What Does Delta Travel Insurance Cover?
How to Add Travel Insurance After Booking a Flight
If you’ve already booked your flight but forgot to add travel insurance, don’t worry. You’ve still got plenty of options to secure coverage after locking in those flights. Here’s how to add travel insurance after booking a flight:
Check if you have existing travel insurance coverage with your credit card company: Before purchasing a separate travel insurance policy, check whether your credit card company offers any travel-related benefits. Some credit cards provide limited travel insurance coverage when you use the card to book your trip. If the coverage is insufficient for your upcoming trip, you’ll want to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
Research the best travel insurance providers: Take time to research reputable travel insurance companies. Look for companies with positive customer reviews, a history of reliable coverage, and a variety of plans to choose from. Using online comparison tools such as Squaremouth can help you narrow down your options and quickly find a plan that provides the coverage you need.
Choose a travel insurance plan that aligns with your coverage needs:
Consider factors such as the type of trip you’re taking, your health status, and the value of your trip expenses. Are you worried about flight cancellations or changes that the airline might not refund? Are you packing expensive equipment? Have you booked golf or ski days? Do you need medical coverage? Once you’ve identified your priorities, you can select a plan that provides the right coverage.
What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
While individual policies vary, most types of travel insurance offer the following forms of coverage and benefits:
Emergency medical care abroad
Medical evacuation transport
Accidental death and dismemberment
Canceled flight, cruise, or train travel and accommodations
Trip interruption coverage
24-hour medical assistance call center (may also include concierge services)
Delayed or lost luggage (may include sports equipment)
Missed activities, such as golf or ski days
Repatriation of remains
When Is It Too Late to Buy Travel Insurance?
It’s generally possible to purchase travel insurance up until the day before your departure date. However, your options will be limited if you wait too long, and some benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption may no longer be available.
Additionally, your ability to buy travel insurance evaporates if you aren’t already covered when an event arises. For example, if you book a trip to France and intend to buy trip cancellation insurance but put it off until two weeks before your scheduled departure, and then suffer an injury that prevents you from traveling, it’s too late to purchase insurance to cover that specific situation.
Conclusion
In summary, while you can buy travel insurance after booking a flight, it’s best to do so as soon as possible after making your reservations. Purchasing travel insurance immediately after booking provides the most comprehensive coverage options, including protection for pre-existing conditions, trip cancellation, and more.
If you’ve already booked your flight but haven’t purchased travel insurance yet, don’t panic. You can still secure coverage by researching reputable providers, comparing plans, and choosing a policy that meets your specific needs. Just keep in mind that the longer you wait, the more limited your options may become.
