Everything we needed to know about travel insurance, we learned from Bud Geissler, National Group Manager at Travel Insured International.
During the Teach & Travel edWebinar “Travel Insurance: Helping Teachers Understand Their Options for Protecting Class Trips,” Geissler shared how teachers can use travel insurance to protect student’s valuable investment in travel.
Why do travelers need travel insurance?
Two reasons.
- Protect the investment of travel.
- Protect the traveler.
What does travel insurance cover?
You, students and families invest a lot of time and money in student trips. Travel insurance can help protect finances in the event something disrupts a trip.
- Trip Cancelation: In the event a trip is canceled before it has even begun, travel insurance can cover costs such as transportation, lodging, admissions and more that students have already paid for.
- Trip Interruption: What if something, such as injury or a death in the family, interrupts a student trip? Travel insurance covers the costs such as transportation home and missed opportunities the student paid for but can no longer participate in.
- Travel Delay: Travel delays are usually connected to carriers, such as a motorcoach or airline. The delay could be a few hours—possibly a day or two. Travel insurance can help cover the cost of providing transportation, lodging, meals and more necessary to accommodate the delay.
Travel insurance not only protects the investment of travel, but of the traveler.
- Medical Expenses: If a student gets hurt on a trip and needs medical attention, travel insurance could help cover the cost. Most often, you’ll have to pay the medical center upfront and out-of-pocket, save the receipt, and submit a claim after returning home.
- Emergency Evacuation: If a hurt student needs to see a specialist somewhere else, travel insurance could cover the cost of extraction. Evacuations can also be nonmedical.
- Personal Items: Most travel insurance policies cover personal items up to a certain amount. It could cover items such as baggage, electronics and musical instruments. (Again, only up to a certain amount and you’ll have to submit a claim.)
Travel insurance and protection plans are not all the same, and it’s important to understand exactly what is covered.
If you’re sharing information from a travel insurance provider to students and families, don’t change the information. Providers typically provide marketing-approved information so clients know exactly what they’re getting. If students and their families have questions, it’s best to direct them to the insurance provider.
What is the claims process?
In order to be reimbursed for unexpected expenses during travel, you’ll have to submit a claim.
- File a claim electronically or by phone.
- The insurance provider will send you a series of forms. The forms are very important. Complete them and return them promptly.
- The insurance provider will review the forms; they request additional information or documentation.
- The insurance provider will decide whether your claim is payable or not payable.
What are the options available for travel insurance?
Tour operators typically work with a trusted partner to provide travel insurance to travelers. If you’re not working with a tour operator, however, an internet search will supply options. Keep in mind that most products are age-based and there are companies that have products designed specifically for young travelers.
Travel insurance is a small investment that could end up saving you, your students and their families big bucks if unexpected costs accrue on trips.
Want to learn more about travel insurance? You can watch the full recording of Geissler’s edWebinar at home.edweb.net/webinar/travel20180320/.
