Travel Planning Tips and Resources
Planning to travel looks a little different now, and there’s a lot to consider. As you plan your next trip, refer to these resources and tips.
Resources for Travel Destination Research & Planning
Consult these websites when selecting your destination and planning your trip.
Dust Off That Passport… Without Delay!
Planning to travel internationally in the coming year? Make sure your passport is up-to-date. If you need to renew or get a new passport, act soon. Current wait times (as of June 2021) for passports are anticipated to be 18 weeks (that’s right – more than 4 months!). Even expedited service is expected to take 10 weeks from date of application. A limited number of in-person appointments are available to those with international travel in the next 72 hours.
Remember, some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.
Review the U.S. State Department Travel website for all the information you need.
Considerations for Choosing a Travel Insurance Plan
If you’re like many Americans planning travel now, travel insurance is considered a must and you may be shopping around to understand the options available to you. Here are a few questions to consider and research as you make your plan selection.
Does the destination have travel insurance requirements to enter/visit? What are they?
Does the travel insurance plan cover COVID-19 medical expenses?
Are there any pandemic exclusions on the travel insurance plan? (See plan exclusions at the end of the Description of Coverage.)
Do you have any special activities or equipment that need to be covered during your trip?
Is Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage available on the plan?*
Our plans offer coverage for many circumstances related to Covid-19, including if you or a traveling companion are diagnosed and unable to travel. Read your policy or ask our customer service representatives for plan specifics.
Two plans you might consider are USI’s Trip Care Complete plan and the Travel Insurance Select plan. Both plans offer three coverage levels to meet varying needs and budgets.
Our experienced, friendly and very knowledgeable customer service representatives are ready to help you understand and select the best travel insurance plan for you. (Our representatives are all licensed insurance agents and do not work on commission; their interest is in helping you!) Contact us Monday-Friday, 9 a.m to 7 p.m. Eastern Time at (800) 937-1387 or info@travelinsure.com.
*What is Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage? Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage is an upgrade available on many plans that allows you to cancel your trip for ANY reason and still recoup up to 75% of pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs. CFAR would cover you for instances outside the coverage provided by the regular travel insurance plan, including instances like fear of Covid-19, an expected birth in your family that you don’t want to miss, an opportunity for your child to play in a championship sports event that you don’t want to miss, etc. In order to be eligible for CFAR you must buy your travel insurance plan within the early purchase period designated by your plan—generally within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit for our plans. Other conditions apply; read policy or contact us for full details. CFAR is not available to residents of NY state. Read our blog post about CFAR coverage for more information.
