Five Things You May Not Know About Travel Insurance

Travel insurance has always been an important factor in any group trip. But now, when unpredictable situations seem to arise around almost every corner, it’s more important to have than ever. But more than having it, it’s vital to truly understand what travel insurance is and what it can do for you.

Groups Today connected with Mark Ceslowitz, President of Travmark, to learn five things that group travel professionals should know about travel insurance if they don’t already.

“Buying early” doesn’t guarantee medical cancellations are covered.

According to Ceslowitz, many assume that purchasing travel insurance early automatically guarantees coverage for any medical issue that arises before departure. While early purchase is important, it doesn’t eliminate all conditions.

“Most advisors/operators are aware that if a traveler purchases coverage ‘early’ (depending on policy usually within 14–21 days of the initial trip deposit), the traveler is eligible to waive a pre-existing medical condition if they are not disabled from travel at time of travel insurance purchase,” Ceslowitz explained, noting limits.

“A sickness or injury still needs to occur after they purchase coverage, and the traveler must be seen by a physician who needs to determine that the traveler is not able to travel,” he added. “Many advisors/operators and travelers assume that as long as the traveler purchases ‘early,’ then any medical issue will be covered, but documenting when the sickness or injury occurred and obtaining treatment by a physician are still required.”

Cancel For Any Reason isn’t just for indecision—it can be a medical safety net.

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage is often positioned as protection for travelers who change their minds, but Ceslowitz says it serves a broader purpose.

“Obtaining Cancel For Any Reason is important not just for the ability to change your mind, but it can also provide a backstop if the medical reason for cancellation did not occur or is not documented as required by the travel insurance policy,” Ceslowitz shared. “Cancel For Any Reason is important to present to travelers not just for ‘change of mind’ or ‘fear of travel,’ but because medical reasons to be covered under trip cancellation have specific requirements.”

Tour operators may not be covered if they provide sports or recreational equipment themselves.

Liability exposure is another area where Ceslowitz says incorrect assumptions can create risk.

“One of the biggest exclusions in a travel/tour liability policy is, ‘Based upon or arising from the sale, rental, or distribution of any sports or recreational equipment by the Insured, including but not limited to ski equipment, bicycles, rafts, snowmobiles, and scuba diving and snorkeling equipment,’” Ceslowitz shared. “Therefore a travel or tour company should always have these types of activities provided by a third party as their liability insurance will not cover if the travel or tour company provides sports or recreational equipment directly to a traveler.”

The more you know!

Group and individual travelers have the same narrow window for optimal coverage.

Some assume that group travel offers more flexible insurance timelines, but Ceslowitz clarifies otherwise.

“Most group and individual travel insurance policies have the same timelines for broadest coverages of 14 to 21 days from initial trip deposit,” he explained. This makes early communication critical so group travelers don’t miss key eligibility windows.

Post-departure coverage is a low-cost way to fulfill duty of care.

To address duty of care without significantly increasing costs, Ceslowitz points to post-departure coverage.

“More and more group tour operators are starting to purchase ‘post-departure’ coverage for all of their travelers,” something Ceslowitz further explained ensures all travelers have a minimum amount of coverage for travel delays, medical expenses, evacuation, etc.

“This is not trip cancellation or CFAR coverage, which costs anywhere from 5–10% of trip cost,” Ceslowitz said. “Instead, ‘post-departure’ coverage—depending on the traveler’s age—can usually only be around $10–$30 per traveler per trip. Providing this coverage for all travelers shows that the tour operator is being responsible in proactively protecting their travelers.”

Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today. 

This article originally appeared in the Mar/Apr ’26 issue of Groups Today.