Travel insurance guide

Travel Insurance 101: What Your Tour Operator Wants You to Know

Reading time: 5–6 min Updated: 2025

Insurance will never be the most exciting part of travel, but it is often the difference between a recovered mishap and a ruined trip. Here are the essentials to understand before you buy a policy for a guided tour.

Medical coverage

Prioritize emergency medical and evacuation coverage that matches your destination’s costs. Verify pre-existing condition clauses and whether adventure activities are covered if you plan to hike, dive, or ski.

Trip cancellation and interruption

Cancellation covers prepaid nonrefundable costs if you cannot travel due to covered reasons. Interruption helps if you must cut a trip short. Check documentation requirements and timelines for filing claims.

Baggage and delay benefits

Lost or delayed baggage can derail early days. Benefits that reimburse essentials help keep the trip moving while your bags catch up.

Supplier default

Some policies protect you if a key supplier goes out of business. Ask if this applies to your operator and major partners and what proof is required.

Policy fit and timing

Buy coverage soon after your first deposit to unlock broader protections. Compare policy tiers and pick the one that aligns with your itinerary value and risk tolerance.

With the right policy, bumps in the road become manageable. If you need a neutral checklist to compare plans, we can provide one tailored to your route and activities.