Travel Insurance After Departure

• Travel insurance is designed to be purchased before departure to ensure coverage for events like trip cancellations, delays, or medical emergencies from the start of the trip. 

• Post-departure travel insurance options are limited and typically exclude benefits like trip cancellation, focusing instead on medical emergencies or trip interruptions. 

• Coverage purchased after departure may have a waiting period of 24-72 hours before it becomes effective, and claims for pre-existing events are not eligible. 
   

Planning a trip is fun, but in the chaos of booking flights, accommodations, and itineraries, you might forget to purchase travel insurance until the last minute or until departure. The good news is you may still have some options.  

But buying travel insurance after you’ve left is not as simple as buying it before you go; there will be coverage limitations or availability issues. Let’s look at the possibilities. 
 

Can I Buy Travel Insurance After I’ve Left? 

Most providers, like AXA Travel Insurance, do not offer the option to purchase a policy after you’ve left. Travel insurance is designed to be bought before you go, so coverage is in place for things like trip cancellations, delays, or medical emergencies from the start of your trip. 

However, even if it's available with a provider, the policies are usually more limited and may not include all the benefits of pre-departure policies like trip cancellations.  

For instance, there may be a waiting period before coverage kicks in… this is to prevent claims for events that happened before you purchased the policy. Some benefits, like trip cancellation, may no longer be available once you’re traveling. Instead, these plans shall focus on medical emergencies, trip interruptions, or other unexpected events that may occur for the rest of your trip. 

So it is advisable to get travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, to get the most optimal coverage for your trip value. 

Coverages That Might Be Available After Departure 

If you’re able to bag a travel insurance plan after you’ve already left, you may have access to some types of coverage, as mentioned below. 

Unexpected Medical Expenses 

Access to emergency medical coverage may still be available post-departure. It will help cover medical expenses for unexpected illnesses or injuries in the remainder of your trip. Medical coverage often includes doctor visits, hospital stays, and emergency transportation such as ambulances or medical evacuations if you need specialist care.  

Trip Interruptions  

Some plans may offer trip interruption insurance post departure, which can reimburse prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses if you need to come home early for a covered reason. This could be sudden illness or injury, emergencies back home, or even natural disasters at your destination. In addition to covering unused travel arrangements, trip interruption insurance may also help with the cost of getting a return flight. 

Travel Delays 

For disruptions that don’t cut your trip short but still cause inconvenience, travel delay insurance is an option. This can help reimburse additional expenses such as meals, accommodation, and alternative transport if your plans are delayed for a covered reason like severe weather, airline strikes, or equipment failure. 

Lost or Stolen Luggage 

Baggage loss insurance is another type of travel insurance that may be available after you’ve left. This will cover you if your luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip. Some policies will also cover delayed baggage so you can buy essentials like clothes or toiletries while you wait for your belongings to arrive. 

Many travel insurance plans also give you access to emergency assistance services, which can be useful in unexpected situations. These services may include finding local medical providers, coordinating emergency medical evacuations, replacing lost travel documents like passports, or even arranging legal assistance if needed. This 24/7 support will help you navigate the challenges of being abroad more smoothly. 

Important Considerations When Purchasing Travel Insurance After Departure 

Purchasing travel insurance after your trip has started is not an easy-to-find option. Naturally, it comes with certain factors to consider. These are: 

Coverage Availability and Exclusions: Not all travel insurance providers offer policies that can be purchased after departure, and those that do may limit the types of coverage. For example, trip cancellation insurance is usually not available once you’ve left. So check for available coverage options.  

Waiting Periods: Most post-departure travel insurance policies have a waiting period before coverage kicks in. This waiting period is usually 24-72 hours to prevent claims for incidents that happened before the policy was purchased. During this time, you may not be eligible for reimbursement for any events or emergencies. 

FAQs About Buying Travel Insurance After Departure 

1. Is there a waiting period for travel insurance bought after departure? 

Yes, most post-departure travel insurance policies have a 24 to 72 hour waiting period before coverage kicks in. During this time, claims for events or incidents are not eligible, so be careful until the waiting period ends. 

2. Can I get coverage for pre-existing medical conditions with post-departure travel insurance? 

Pre-existing medical condition coverage is generally limited with post-departure policies. Some insurers may offer options if certain criteria are met, but exclusions are common. If pre-existing condition coverage is important to you, check with the insurer before you buy.