Post-Departure Benefits: Did You Know Your Travel Insurance Does This?!

Oct 28, 2021 | Aon

When you think of travel insurance, you may first think of it as a product that can help you if you need to cancel your vacation. But there are so many other benefits to travel insurance that can provide some much-needed assistance and support once your travels begin.

“While some benefits may kick in before you leave, others – called post-departure benefits – can help after your trip begins. These benefits are designed to assist you if a last-minute, unforeseen event disrupts your vacation,” says Beth Godlin, president of the Aon Affinity Travel Practice. “So, take a close look at the terms and conditions. Your travel policy could include benefits and services that you may not realize exist.”

Here are some post-departure benefits that can be included in travel protection plans:

Trip Delay: If you’re a seasoned traveler, you understand trip delays are inevitable, and unfortunately, they can happen at the worst times for a multitude of reasons, from weather mishaps to mechanical and computer issues. The Trip Delay benefit exists to help you get through unexpected delays in your travel plans and is intended to help you catch up to your scheduled trip. Trip delay benefits that are included in travel protection plans can help offset extra costs due to a delay, including meals, lodging or transportation. Keep in mind, some terms may require a minimum length of delay (typically 4-12 hours) or specify what kind of delay is covered.

Trip Interruption: Even after your vacation starts, there are still risks to your investment. For example, if you become ill during your trip, you may be forced to come home early. Changing your flight means you will lose money from the unused portion of your vacation – not to mention, rack up new expenses based on change fees. This common scenario is called “trip interruption,” and it’s one of the most important benefits of travel insurance. When you’re forced to cancel your trip for an unexpected reason, trip interruption coverage can reimburse for non-refundable expenses. Some common covered reasons for interrupting your trip could include illness, death of a family member, jury duty, traffic accident, appearance in court or a home that’s rendered uninhabitable. As always, it’s important to read your plan documents carefully so you understand your coverage.

Medical Benefits: No one wants to imagine getting sick or injured in an accident. Unfortunately, it can happen, even while you’re on vacation. For most trips that are a few weeks or less, travel protection plans typically package medical benefits along with other key travel benefits and services. Depending on a travel insurance package, you could be eligible to receive medical benefits to cover medical expenses, emergency assistance to arrange local medical care, and in serious cases, even a medical evacuation to return home for additional treatment. It’s important to note that, if you’re traveling abroad or going to a remote location, you should determine what your health insurance will, or won’t, cover. With different medical systems and possible gaps in primary medical insurance, you may decide to obtain supplementary coverage.

Concierge Service: A popular non-insurance benefit, concierge service is included in some travel protection plans. This means you can get assistance with finding appropriate medical care, sourcing a pharmacy, obtaining travel information or locating a missing passport. In some cases, you can also use these services for less serious matters, such as help with making dinner reservations or planning entertainment during your vacation.

The Aon Travel Takeaway? “Terms may vary between different travel protection plans. Remember, pre-departure protection can differ from post-departure protection,” says Godlin. “As a consumer, you always need to read the details of your specific policy and ask your provider questions if you need clarity.”

All descriptions, summaries or highlights of coverage are for general informational purposes only and do not amend, alter or modify the actual terms or conditions of any insurance policy. Coverage is governed only by the terms and conditions of the relevant policy.

Aon Affinity Travel Practice Blog Homepage
Aon Affinity Travel Practice Blog Preview
View The Business of Travel Insurance Blog

More Blog Posts

Travel Tips:
The Evolution of Luxury Travel
Traveler Beware: Why Relying Solely on the DOT Rule for Protection isn’t Enough
Top Travel Troubles and The Role of Insurance
Smooth Sailing: Three Reasons Why You Should Purchase Insurance Through Your Cruise Line
Three takeaways from DOT airline passengers’ rights rule
2024 Summer Travel Trends: Destination Dupes, Adventure Escapades and More
Three ways tour operators can ride the ‘silver tsunami’
Wanderlust for Words: Five Destinations for Book Lovers
Lights, Camera, Boarding – What to Know When Traveling to Movie and Show-Inspired Locales
Rest & Relaxation: Worldwide Wellness Destinations
Five Destinations for Every History Buff
Four Ways the Cruise Industry is Leading the Way in Responsible Tourism
The Kick-Off to Summer Travel: A One-on-One with our President Beth Godlin
Summer Travel: What the Industry Should Expect
Weather Impact Data Underlines Importance of Customizing Travel Insurance
Dive into Tour Operator Industry Trends with USTOA Data
Five Reasons to Book an Expedition Cruise
Ride Wave Season Like a Pro
Why You Should Consider Working with a Travel Insurance Broker
Top Four Spots for Music Lovers
Top Five Kid-Friendly Vacation Destinations
Cruising: Family Style
When Not to Buy Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance During Hurricane Season: Your Questions Answered
Five Trips for the Adventure Seeker
How travel insurance is evolving to meet customization demands
MythBusters: The Top Four Myths About Travel Insurance
Five Places to Visit If You Love Wine
Avoiding the Crowds: Five Unspoiled Wonders to Visit in 2022
Travel Looks Forward to 2022
Five Travel Experiences to Check off Your Bucket List in 2022
Post-Departure Benefits: Did You Know Your Travel Insurance Does This?!
Five International Destinations for a Non-Traditional Thanksgiving
Fall Traditions Around the World
Safety at Sea
Adventure Awaits: Five Unforgettable National Park Experiences
Top Spots Abroad to Visit Off-Peak
All Aboard for the North American Rail Renaissance
Revenge Travel’s Must Have Accessory: Travel Protection for International Journeys
Experience European Charm Sans Passport
The Boomers are Back and They’re Helping Fuel a Summer Travel Surge
Be Travel Ready with These Five Tips
The Future of International Travel: Recovery and Beyond
Staying Stateside for Your Next Trip? Here’s What You Need to Know About Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance Trend: Medical Benefits are In-Demand
Travel Protection and Your Credit Cards
How to Read the Fine Print of Your Travel Insurance Policy
Leisure travel insurance purchase trends
Holiday Travel Safety Advice

Insider Insights:
Three Things We Learned This Year
Filing a claim doesn’t have to be difficult. Here’s why.
Taking Your Postponed Honeymoon? Tips Travelers Need to Know
Honeymoon Travel Advice
Where to Soak in a Long Weekend - 4th of July Destinations
4 Cruise Experiences at any Budget
20 for 20: The tech travel tips we've tried, tested and learned

Travel Primer:
Greatest Risks to Big Summer Travel
24/7 Access – The On-Call Travel Insurance Claims Process
Top Events that Trigger Travel Insurance
Will My Health Insurance Cover It?
Top Travel Protection Terms

Destination Spotlight:
Unforgettable Winter Sports Getaways
Five international destinations for food lovers
Grand Advent Festivities Await in Austria
Colorful Cues in Europe
Spook-tacular Halloween Travel Destinations

Real Life:
Severe Weather, Serious Protection
Wellness-Driven Travel Trends
How to Make 2018 the Year for Travel
Home Care Checklist Before Traveling
Study Abroad Smarts for Today’s Student Travelers
First-Time Cruisers: What to Know Before Packing a Bag
Should I Buy Travel Insurance?
Planning the Ultimate Bucket List Trip

Ask Aon:
Your Travel Protection Questions, Answered by the Pros