Travel Insurance Blog

Every travel insurance policy has some exclusion because no insurance policy covers everything. Generally, the more you pay, the better the coverage. Note that policy exclusions differ from policy to policy and from insurer to insurer, so check your plan terms and conditions before you purchase. Here are some common travel insurance exclusions: 

• Pre-existing Conditions – In general, a pre-existing condition is defined as any injury, illness, sickness, disease, or other physical, medical, mental or nervous condition, disorder or ailment that, with reasonable medical certainty, existed at the time of application or at any time during the three years prior to the effective date of the insurance. This pre-existing condition is present whether or not previously manifested or symptomatic, diagnosed, treated, or disclosed prior to the effective date, including any subsequent, chronic or recurring complications or consequences related thereto or arising therefrom.
• Treatment or surgeries which are elective, investigational, experimental or for research purposes.
• Most policies do not cover military action, terrorism, political insurrection, protest, or any act thereof. Some polices will cover terrorism and riot as long as you are not a participant.
• Immunizations and routine physical exams.
• Venereal disease and AIDS related illnesses
• Pregnancy related expenses though there are some that may cover up to 35 weeks – check your policy
• Injury sustained while participating in amateur or professional sports or other athletic activity which is organized and/or sanctioned. Again, TFG Global Travel Insurance does offer a special policy which covers these via www.globaltravelinsurance.com/ihitravel.htm
• Hazardous sports – but some travel insurance policies will cover them under basic plan or you can purchase a leisure or sports rider.
• Charges, injuries and/or illnesses resulting or arising from criminal activity, but usually excluding minor traffic violations.
• Treatment for, and injuries and/or illnesses resulting or arising from, substance abuse or drug addiction.
• Injury and/or illness resulting or arising from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Willful self-inflicted injury or illness.
• Treatment for nervous and mental disorders.
• Illness or injury where the trip to the host country is undertaken for treatment or advice for such Illness or injury, except as expressly provided for in the certificate of insurance.
• Nuclear radiation exposure

Again, these are just the usual exclusions and they differ from insurer to insurer and policy to policy, so check your plan before you purchase. Most travel insurance plans you purchase on the net ask you to confirm that you have read the terms and conditions of the policy before you purchase.