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Guest Article by Rhonda Martin, Plan For Wealth

When planning for winter travel it’s crucial to carefully consider travel insurance. Snowbird travel insurance is specialized to address unique risks related to extended stays abroad, and it’s important to ensure coverage fits your needs. Here are some things to consider:

1. Length of Stay

• Duration of Coverage: Most standard travel insurance policies are for shorter trips (less than 90 days), so you’ll need a policy tailored for extended travel if you are wintering away.
• Coverage Limits: Verify if there are limits on the duration of each individual trip or total duration of coverage across multiple trips in a year.

2. Medical Coverage

• Emergency Medical Coverage: Medical coverage is one of the most important aspects. Ensure the policy covers emergency medical care, hospitalization, and medical evacuation in the event of serious illness or injury.
• Pre-existing Conditions: Some policies cover pre-existing conditions, but others don’t. Be aware of exclusions and whether you need to purchase additional coverage for any pre-existing conditions you may have. Most insurers have a “Stability Period” clause, where pre-existing conditions are covered if they have been stable for a certain period prior to departure, so it’s wise to know these requirements.
• Prescription Medications: Most plans do not cover refills while abroad, so be sure to ask your doctor for an extended stay prescription for your medications.

3. Trip Interruption and Cancellation

• Trip Cancellation: You may want coverage in case you need to cancel your travel plans before you leave due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a health emergency or family issue. It’s pricey, so check what is refundable from other sources first, like the travel company or your credit card, and look to only insure the costs not covered by other means.
• Trip Interruption: This affordable coverage can help reimburse non-refundable costs if you need to cut your trip short (e.g., due to illness, a family emergency, or natural disasters).
• Delayed Travel: Coverage for flight delays or missed connections can also be useful, especially if your travel involves multiple stops or long connections.

4. Baggage Loss

• Baggage Loss: You might want coverage for lost, damaged, or delayed baggage, which can be especially important if you’re carrying seasonal gear or expensive personal items (like electronics or sporting equipment).

5. Insurance for Multi-Destination or Multi-Country Travel

• If you plan to travel between multiple countries or move around during your snowbird stay (e.g., going from the U.S. to Mexico, or touring through different European destinations), ensure your insurance covers travel between these countries.

6. Evacuation Coverage

• Emergency Evacuation: If you’re traveling to a region with limited healthcare facilities or a history of political instability, you may want to purchase emergency evacuation coverage. This ensures you’re flown to a better-equipped facility in the event of a serious health issue.
• Repatriation of Remains: This is an often-overlooked feature, but it’s important for those traveling long-term. It ensures your body will be returned to your home country in the event of death while abroad.

7. Travel Assistance Services

• 24/7 Assistance: Look for insurance providers offering 24/7 emergency assistance lines. Snowbirds can benefit from real-time support for medical, legal, or logistical issues.
• Language Support: Especially if you’re traveling to a non-English-speaking country, ensure the insurance offers multilingual support for assistance with healthcare or other emergencies.

8. Coverage for Non-Medical Incidents

• Natural Disasters and Weather-related Events: Depending on the region you’re traveling to, check whether your insurance covers natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes.
• Civil Unrest or Terrorism: Policies may also provide coverage for delays or evacuations due to terrorism or political unrest, though this is not always included.

9. Cost of Insurance

• Premiums: The cost of snowbird travel insurance can vary widely based on age, pre-existing conditions, the duration of the stay, and the type of coverage. Older travelers, for example, may face higher premiums.
• Deductibles and Co-pays: Ask your travel insurance professional for options on coverages and deductibles to that you can settle on coverage that meets your needs and budget.

10. Policy Exclusions

• Exclusions to Watch Out For: Some policies have exclusions for certain activities (e.g., extreme sports or adventure travel) or for high-risk destinations. Be sure to read the fine print and verify your coverage applies to your planned activities.
• Trip Limits: Some insurance policies may limit the number of days or the total amount of time you can spend outside your home country, so be sure to clarify this with the insurer.

Final Travel Insurance Tips

Buy Early: For extended trips, it’s best to buy insurance as soon as possible after booking your travel. Some policies only cover you if purchased before a certain time (e.g., 10-14 days after booking).

Review Annually: If you’re a frequent snowbird, it’s worth reviewing your policy annually to make sure it still meets your needs as your health, travel plans, or the political landscape change.

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