• AXA Travel Insurance cannot be purchased or added after a trip has started. Coverage must be in place before departure, and late or in-trip purchases are not available.

• "Post-departure coverage" refers to benefits included in a plan purchased before departure, not a separate product that can be purchased after you've left. This distinction is a common source of confusion.

• Coverage and benefit limits are tied to the trip dates and plan selected at purchase. Extending a trip, upgrading benefits, or adding coverage after departure is generally not possible, so any changes should be made before you leave.

AXA Travel Insurance does not allow a policy to be purchased or added once a trip has started. Coverage must be in place before departure. Your plan's start date, terms, and exclusions are all set out in your travel protection plan documents, and events that occur before coverage begins are not eligible.

This is where a lot of confusion comes in. The phrase "post-departure coverage" doesn't mean insurance you can buy after you've left. It means the benefits inside a plan you already bought that apply once your trip is underway, such as emergency medical care, trip interruption, delays, and lost baggage. If you're still trip-planning and haven't purchased a plan yet, that plan needs to be in place before you go.

Note: This material is for informational purposes only and does not describe all coverage details. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the applicable travel protection plan. Benefits, coverage limits, and covered reasons vary by plan and may not be available in all states.

How "Post-Departure" Benefits Work

Once your trip begins, your plan's focus naturally shifts. Pre-departure benefits like trip cancellation are no longer relevant because you're already traveling. The plan instead protects you against things that can happen during the trip, including medical emergencies, delays, interrupted plans, and baggage issues. These are the benefits people mean when they say "post-departure coverage."

The one benefit that works differently is trip cancellation, which only applies if you cancel before departure. If you need to cancel for a covered reason ahead of your trip, this benefit may reimburse eligible prepaid, non-refundable expenses up to your plan's maximum. Once your trip begins, that benefit is no longer available. Coverage shifts to trip interruption and medical protection instead.

The availability and applicability of these benefits depend on the specific plan, the timing of the event, and the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the applicable plan document.

Because timing determines which benefits you can access, it's best to purchase your plan as soon as you book your trip, so you're covered for both the lead-up and the trip itself.

What's Covered Once Your Trip Has Begun

The benefits below are included in AXA Travel Protection plans and may apply once you've reached your destination, provided your plan was purchased before departure.

Benefits vary by plan and may be subject to specific eligibility requirements, benefit limits, covered reasons, exclusions, and other terms in your plan documents.

Emergency Medical Covers: eligible medical or dental expenses for an unexpected illness or injury during your trip, including doctor visits, hospital stays, and emergency transportation such as ambulances or medical evacuation when covered. Coverage is subject to the applicable plan's terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and benefit limits.

Trip Interruption: May reimburse prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses if you need to return home early for a covered reason, such as a sudden illness or injury, an emergency at home, or a natural disaster at your destination. It may also help cover the cost of a return flight. Covered reasons and eligible expenses vary by plan and are subject to applicable terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and benefit limits.

Trip Delay: May help reimburse additional expenses such as meals, accommodations, and alternative transportation if your trip is delayed for a covered reason, such as severe weather, an airline strike, or equipment failure. A delay must meet the requirements of the applicable plan, including any minimum delay period and benefit limits.

Missed Connection: May help reimburse additional transportation costs and other eligible expenses if you miss a connecting flight, cruise, or other onward travel due to a covered delay. Coverage is subject to the applicable plan's covered reasons, delay requirements, terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and benefit limits.

Baggage Delay: May help cover essential purchases, such as clothing or toiletries, while you wait for your delayed baggage to arrive. Coverage is subject to the applicable plan's waiting period, eligible expenses, benefit limits, and other terms and conditions.

Baggage Lost: or Stolen May provide coverage for luggage and personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip, subject to the terms of your plan.

Evacuation & Repatriation: Covers eligible emergency medical evacuation when a covered illness or injury requires transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility. It may also provide for repatriation when covered. Travel assistance services can help coordinate an evacuation, subject to medical necessity and your plan's terms, limits, and exclusions.

Ancillary Evacuation: Provides additional evacuation-related benefits beyond standard medical evacuation, subject to your plan's terms, limits, and exclusions.

Security & Natural Disaster Evacuation: May help cover evacuation costs if you need to leave your destination because of a covered security threat or natural disaster.

Search & Rescue: May help reimburse eligible costs associated with search and rescue efforts if you become lost or stranded during a covered trip activity.

Who Should Pay Close Attention to Post-Departure Benefits

These benefits may be especially relevant for:

• Last-minute travelers: Even if you're purchasing close to your departure date, you must purchase your plan before you leave to have coverage during your trip. Purchasing a plan after departure isn't an option.
• Travelers with minimal prepaid, non-refundable expenses: If you have fewer upfront trip costs at risk, protection for unexpected events during your trip may be a higher priority than trip cancellation coverage.
• Anyone prioritizing in-trip protection: If you're primarily looking for protection against medical emergencies, delays, baggage issues, and other unexpected events during your trip, pay close attention to the benefits that apply after departure.

All benefits are subject to your plan's terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions.

FAQs About Post Departure Travel Insurance Benfits

1. Can I buy AXA travel insurance after my trip has already started?

No. AXA Travel Protection plans generally must be purchased before departure. Coverage cannot generally be added after your trip has started. If you're already traveling without a plan, the benefits described on this page would not apply to the remainder of that trip. To avoid this situation, purchase your plan as soon as you have a firm trip date. Purchase requirements and coverage availability are subject to the terms of the applicable plan and state of residence.

2. Does coverage during my trip include travel assistance services?

Yes. AXA Travel Protection plans may include 24/7 travel assistance services, available by phone from anywhere in the world during a covered trip. Services may include help locating a doctor or hospital, coordinating medical care or transportation, assisting with lost or stolen travel documents, and providing legal or translation referrals where available. These are non-insurance assistance services provided by AXA Assistance and are separate from the insurance benefits in your plan.

3. Can I get coverage for pre-existing medical conditions if I buy close to departure?

Pre-existing condition coverage generally depends on purchasing your plan within the applicable timeframe after your initial trip deposit and meeting the plan's other eligibility requirements. If eligible, a waiver may provide coverage for certain conditions that would otherwise be excluded. Requirements and purchase timeframes vary by plan. Review the "Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion and Waiver" section of your plan document before purchasing if this applies to you.

4. What happens to my coverage if I extend my trip after departure?

Your plan's coverage dates are based on the trip information provided when you purchased the plan. If you extend your trip after departure, your existing plan generally does not automatically extend to cover the additional days. Coverage ends according to the dates and maximum trip duration stated in your plan documents. Because coverage requirements vary, contact AXA before departure if you expect your trip dates to change.

5. Does my coverage end automatically once I return home?

Your plan's coverage period ends according to the coverage dates and maximum trip duration stated in your plan documents. Benefits such as emergency medical, trip interruption, and baggage coverage generally apply only to eligible events that occur during the applicable coverage period. Review your plan documents for the specific coverage period that applies to your trip.

6. What if my flight is cancelled or delayed after I've already left?

Trip delay coverage may help reimburse eligible additional expenses, such as meals, accommodation, and local transportation, when a covered delay meets the requirements of your plan. Plans may require a minimum delay period before the benefit applies and may impose daily or overall limits. To support a claim, keep the airline's written delay or cancellation notice, boarding passes, and itemized receipts for eligible expenses.

7. Can I add or upgrade travel insurance benefits once my trip has started?

Generally, no. Optional benefits and plan selections are subject to the purchase requirements and deadlines stated in your plan documents. Once your trip has started, you generally cannot add coverage to an existing plan for that trip. If you want additional benefits or higher limits, review your options before departure.

8. What documentation do I need to file a claim for a post-departure benefit?

Requirements vary by benefit and plan, but you may need a completed claim form, documentation showing that the covered event occurred, receipts for eligible expenses, and proof that you were covered under the plan on the relevant dates. Medical claims may require medical records, bills, or other supporting documentation. Keep relevant documentation as it becomes available during your trip to help support your claim.

9. Do post-departure benefits have coverage limits?

Yes. Benefits are subject to the limits, sublimits, exclusions, and other requirements stated in your plan documents. These may vary by plan and benefit. Review the Schedule of Benefits and applicable plan documents before you travel so you understand the limits that apply to your coverage.

Disclaimer: Information on this page is a general summary and does not replace your plan documents. Benefits, eligibility, coverage limits, terms, conditions, and exclusions vary by plan and state of residence. Travel assistance services are separate from travel insurance benefits and are provided by AXA Assistance. Refer to your travel insurance plan documents for applicable purchase deadlines, coverage periods, and benefit requirements.