Despite coronavirus, I still want to travel. Should I insure a future trip?

Mar. 10--If people are afraid to travel due to COVID-19, can they cancel their trips?

Trip cancellation for concern or fear of travel associated with an epidemic or pandemic is usually not covered. However, more expensive policies such as Cancel For Any Reason coverage may be able to refund a portion of your insured pre-paid, non-refundable trip cost. Note that with CFAR coverage, the insurance policy must be purchased within a set number of days and notified at least 48 hours prior to scheduled departure.

Will travel insurance cover someone if they get sick on a cruise ship?

Most travel insurance policies will protect travelers who become sick while traveling if the policy includes medical coverage. Also, check with your health plan to see if it would cover medical expenses if you get sick or hurt on your trip. This is especially important if you're traveling abroad because most health plans, including Medicare, won't cover treatment in another country.

What if a cruise line or airline cancels a trip due to COVID-19?

Most standard travel insurance does not cover losses caused by an epidemic or pandemic. If you purchased the CFAR policy, you may be covered for a portion of your trip cost. Contact your cruise line, airline or tour provider to see if any refund is offered by them first.

Is buying travel insurance worth it?

Travel insurance plans cost between 4% to 10% of your trip expenses. I encourage travelers to determine their actual risk, understand what they are trying to cover and then find a policy that accomplishes that. If you decide travel insurance is a good option for your trip, make sure you know exactly what the plan covers before buying.

Paula Burkes, Business writer

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