Protecting Your Journey
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance for every journey we plan. The unexpected can happen to anyone — protecting your investment and your health while abroad is one of the most important decisions you can make before you travel.
Our recommendation: Purchase travel insurance as soon as you make your first trip deposit — not the week before departure. Certain time-sensitive benefits may no longer be available if coverage is purchased later. Review the applicable policy's requirements and deadlines.
Why It Matters
The risks are real
$20,000–$200,000
Potential cost of medical evacuation by air ambulance back to the United States, depending on location and medical condition.
Supplier terms vary
Many travel arrangements may become partially or fully nonrefundable after deposit or final payment.
Policy-specific deadlines
Some time-sensitive benefits may require purchasing coverage shortly after the initial trip deposit.
Limited foreign coverage
Medicare generally provides little or no routine coverage outside the United States, subject to limited exceptions. Some private, Medicare Advantage, or Medigap plans may offer additional benefits. Travelers should verify coverage with their insurer.
What to Look For
Key coverage types
Trip Cancellation & Interruption
Reimburses non-refundable trip costs if you must cancel or cut short your journey due to a covered reason — illness, injury, death of a family member, jury duty, or other qualifying events. This is often the most valuable coverage for protecting your investment.
Medical Emergencies Abroad
Your domestic health insurance — including Medicare — typically provides little or no coverage outside the United States. Travel medical insurance covers emergency treatment, hospitalization, and physician fees while you are traveling internationally.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
If you suffer a serious medical emergency in a remote destination, medical evacuation by air ambulance back to the United States may cost approximately $20,000 to $200,000, depending on the traveler’s location and medical condition. Coverage limits, exclusions, and transportation destinations vary by policy.
Baggage Loss, Delay & Theft
Covers the cost of replacing essential items if your luggage is lost, stolen, or significantly delayed by a carrier. Particularly important on multi-leg international itineraries where the risk of mishandled baggage increases.
Travel Delay
Provides reimbursement for meals, accommodation, and other reasonable expenses when your travel is delayed beyond a specified number of hours due to a covered cause such as severe weather, mechanical failure, or airline strikes.
Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR)
An optional upgrade available on select policies that allows you to cancel your trip for any reason not otherwise covered and receive a partial reimbursement — typically 50–75% of non-refundable costs. CFAR is available only with certain policies and commonly must be purchased within a limited period after the initial trip deposit. Eligibility, deadlines, reimbursement percentages, and requirements vary by policy.
Smart Planning
Tips for choosing the right policy
Purchase promptly after your deposit
Many time-sensitive benefits — including pre-existing medical condition waivers and Cancel for Any Reason upgrades — require you to purchase insurance within a limited period after your initial trip deposit. Waiting until closer to departure may disqualify you from these protections.
Insure the full non-refundable trip cost
To maximize your cancellation coverage, insure the total amount of non-refundable prepaid expenses, including flights, hotels, cruise fares, tours, and any other deposits. Underinsuring your trip may result in a reduced payout.
Read the policy carefully
Not all travel insurance policies are equal. Review the covered reasons for cancellation, exclusions, claim procedures, and coverage limits before purchasing. Pay particular attention to pre-existing condition clauses and adventure activity exclusions.
Consider “Cancel for Any Reason” for high-value trips
For significant travel investments, a CFAR upgrade may provide additional flexibility when an eligible cancellation reason is not covered under the standard policy. Availability, reimbursement percentages, deadlines, exclusions, and cancellation requirements vary by policy.
Keep all documentation
In the event of a claim, insurers require documentation such as medical records, receipts, airline delay notices, and police reports. Keep copies of all travel documents and correspondence throughout your journey.
Important disclaimer
Atelier Voyage is not a licensed insurance advisor and does not sell, underwrite, or administer travel insurance policies. The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only. Please consult a licensed insurance professional or review policy documents directly before purchasing any insurance product. The decision to purchase travel insurance — and the selection of a policy — is entirely your responsibility.
Helpful resources
Questions?
We're here to help you protect your journey
Questions about protecting your journey? Review the resources provided here or use Ask Voyage for general guidance. Questions about specific insurance coverage, exclusions, claims, or policy terms should be directed to the licensed insurance provider.