As of early 2023, travelers to Bermuda must have insurance that covers COVID-19 or must be prepared to cover all health and accommodation costs should they need to quarantine. Many insurance plans will include COVID-19 in their medical coverage, but always check with your insurance provider to ensure you are appropriately covered.
Travel insurance is essential for any trip, not just for medical coverage but also for other benefits it can provide. Having a solid policy will let you claim reimbursements should you face any delays or interruptions on your journey. Travel insurance will also allow you to cancel your trip and claim back any non-refundable deposits, which could save you a lot of money.
Almost all travel insurance companies have several additional coverages they can add to their plans. You get to pick what you want, but each add-on comes with an additional price tag. The following sections give an overview of the different options you can consider for your trip to Bermuda.
Cancel for Any Reason Coverage
Cancellation coverage allows you to get back the money you pre-paid for your trip. This rider always comes with specific exclusions. Some are standard, others are specific to a particular carrier. Exclusions are reasons why the insurer would decline a claim.
To avoid that, you can pick a cancel for any reason coverage (CFAR) rider. This will allow you to cancel your trip for reasons outside of the standard terms and conditions in your insurance plan and is a great choice for travelers who want more robust coverage.
CFAR coverage also has certain limitations. The details of these limitations will be different across insurance companies, but travelers should expect less than 100% of the insured trip costs in their reimbursement package, a time limit on when CFAR can be purchased, and state-of-residence requirements. The state-of-residence requirements matter because all forms of insurance are regulated at the state level, and states have different laws in place, including for travel.
Gear Theft Protection
If you take expensive equipment and valuables on vacation, gear theft protection is a great option. This specific protection covers the cost of expensive gear should it get stolen. This is particularly useful for items like cameras, laptops, and sports equipment, all of which could be expensive to replace.
Gear theft protection is a great benefit, but it may not provide adequate coverage for multiple items. Most policies include a combined maximum for items like jewelry, which can be as low as $500.
If you want to take specific items with you on vacation, consider taking out a policy for each item to make sure it’s protected for your vacation. You may also have coverage from your credit card or homeowners insurance, so it’s smart to check this before you buy additional coverage.
Medical Emergency Insurance and Emergency Medical Evacuation
Medical emergency insurance is an element of travel insurance that will cover the costs of medical treatment you receive on your vacation. It is also commonly called travel medical insurance and travel health insurance.
The protection extends to most emergency medical care, but there will be some exclusions in your policy. Your travel health insurance will cover you for medical expenses like emergency medical transport, hospitalization, emergency treatments and surgeries, and prescriptions.
Alongside medical emergency insurance, travel insurance plans have coverage for emergency medical evacuations. This is often referred to as medical repatriation, and it means returning you to your home country for medical care. Coverage for medical repatriation costs much more because it includes transportation costs.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
No one wants to cancel a vacation, but unforeseen events can change travel plans at a moment’s notice. Fortunately, trip cancellation insurance allows you to get back any non-refundable trip deposits, such as for flights and accommodations, if you must cancel your trip.
Cancellation insurance usually covers 100% of your insured trip cost. Cancellation insurance is also subject to exclusions, so your insurance provider may not honor all reasons for canceling.
Check the terms and conditions of your insurance plan, but some common reasons for canceling include military or jury service, death of a traveling companion or family member, natural disasters that make your journey impossible, and a sudden illness that will severely impact your travel.
In conclusion, having travel insurance for your trip to Bermuda is essential to protect yourself from unforeseen circumstances and unexpected expenses. Consider the different coverage options available and choose the ones that best suit your needs to ensure a worry-free and enjoyable vacation.