Travel Protection

Even with meticulous preparation, unforeseen circumstances can disrupt your travel plans. Additionally, most U.S.-based health insurance plans do not cover international medical expenses. Holbrook urges our travelers to purchase travel insurance in case of travel delays or medical/evacuation emergencies once travel has begun, as well as to protect your investment in case you need to cancel or leave your trip unexpectedly.

Travel protection is available from a variety of providers, and you are encouraged to select the carrier that best meets your needs. Holbrook’s recommended provider is Travel Insured International (not available for Cuba*).

Things to Consider When Purchasing Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance may be purchased at any time but we suggest that trip cancellation coverage be purchased no later than your final payment or at any point substantial nonrefundable payments have been made. Increases to the covered amount can be made as additional fees are paid. Please review the exceptions outlined below. If one applies to you, you will need to purchase insurance to cover your current pre-paid nonrefundable costs soon after making your deposit in order for coverage to apply.

Pre-existing medical condition waiver: Do you or does anyone in your party or immediate family have a recent medical condition that may cause you to cancel your trip? If so, you will need to purchase your travel insurance within a certain number of days (usually 10-21 days) of making your deposit. If you do not purchase insurance during that window of time, claims resulting from the medical condition will not be covered.
Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage: Some companies offer optional supplemental coverage that, as stated, allows the policyholder to cancel for any reason that is otherwise not included in the policy. This optional type of coverage will need to be purchased along with the policy within a specified window of time (usually 10–21 days) of your initial deposit.

Post-departure medical and evacuation coverage is included with Trip Cancellation policies but if you wish to only include this coverage, submit a $0 Trip Cost when purchasing your policy.

Make sure you have a clear understanding of the policy’s terms, and specifically any exclusions. For example, coverage could be affected or invalidated by government-imposed travel bans or advisories, certain weather events or natural disasters, or pre-existing medical conditions.

Verify whether the coverage you choose lists “primary” or “secondary” (i.e. “excess”) coverage for medical costs. Secondary/excess coverage options will be less expensive upfront but will require you to first file a claim with your personal health insurance provider and provide proof of what coverage was denied before you can file a claim with the travel insurance company.

Available coverage may vary by location, so be sure to review the plan certificate relevant to your state of residence.

Most companies offer a "free-look" period during which the policy is refundable, but once that period is over, policies are nonrefundable. If your trip is cancelled and you receive a full refund, most companies offer a credit voucher for future use.

*Travel Protection - Special Notice for Travelers to Cuba: Effective November 18, 2024, our preferred insurance provider no longer offers coverage for travel to Cuba. They will honor any policies purchased prior to this change. While you are welcome to investigate other insurance options, we can advise that Allianz does currently provide coverage for Cuba: https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com