Most people may think that once they buy travel insurance, they’re set for any issue that comes their way. Turns out, your typical vacation activity, like a morning hike, may not even be covered.
“One of the biggest misconceptions among travelers is that once you buy a policy, you’re protected from everything that can happen,” Chrissy Valdez, senior director of operations at Squaremouth, told USA TODAY.
While your run-of-the-mill policy protects against circumstances such as weather-related travel delays, getting sick before you depart, or airlines losing your bag, it doesn’t automatically include everything planned for your trip.
Some of the most common activities people enjoy doing on vacation are considered “higher risk,” as Valdez put it – and not just the most adventurous of pursuits. Even an activity seen as leisurely, like hiking, could result in a sprained ankle, causing out-of-pocket medical expenses.
“These activities can lead to injuries, but mostly they can require costly medical evacuations or typically happen in remote areas,” she said.
When shopping for a policy, Valdez recommends travelers read insurance policies closely, double-checking to see what’s actually covered and any restrictions, like preexisting conditions or age. Upgrading your policy to one that includes your activity won’t cost an arm and a leg, but it is usually affordable. For a weeklong scuba-diving trip to Mexico, the standard policy costs around $160, with the adventure add-on coverage being approximately $52 extra, she added.