If you are planning an expensive or international trip, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, travel insurance is a must.

“Travelers are able to cover all prepaid and non-refundable travel costs and can usually decide whether they want to cover all, some or none of their travel costs,” says Kasara Barto, spokesperson for Squaremouth , a travel insurance provider.

“However, some benefits, including coverage for pre-existing conditions and cancellation for any reason coverage, may require travelers to insure 100% of their travel expenses prepaid and non-refundable. If travelers are specifically looking for these coverages, they will need to insure all travel expenses, including flights and hotel.

See Forbes Advisor ratings on the best cancellation for any reason travel insurance.

Filing a travel insurance claim can be easier with just one point of contact

If you have grouped all your trips, such as ground and air transport, you can only communicate with one supplier if you have a travel insurance Claim. This allows a simplified and efficient complaint.

“If travelers insure all parts of their trip separately, they may have to file multiple claims with different suppliers,” Barto warns.

To avoid spending more than necessary on a policy, Squaremouth recommends that you only insure the expenses that you would lose if you were unable to complete your trip. For example, if a hotel charges a 50% penalty for canceling a hotel reservation, travelers should only insure that amount, rather than the full cost of the hotel.

The value of path segments may vary

“When booking a trip with multiple stages or elements, we recommend that you purchase travel insurance for all facets of the trip, including coverage for all prepaid and non-refundable costs, such as plane, hotel, the cruise, resort or any other trip – the costs associated with your trip, ”said Scott Adamski, spokesperson for AIG Travel.

An example would be a traveler flying to the Caribbean for a $ 5,000 resort stay. For example, suppose you have a cheap flight for an expensive week-long resort trip. You may be thinking of simply ensuring the stay in the resort. But if the theft is also covered and the flight is canceled for a reason covered by the policy, the police may reimburse you for the cost of stay as well as the flight cancellation fee.

While travel insurance for expensive accommodation is likely a traveler’s goal during the planning process, it’s also important to remember the other elements of the trip, and Adamski suggests insuring the entire trip. and do it under one policy.

A travel insurance provider can help you develop a personalized plan.

“When working with a travel insurance provider, the customer can get personalized coverage for their entire trip, including bundling your airline tickets and travel expenses into one policy,” says Bailey Foster. , spokesperson for Trawick International. “Customers must ensure all arrangements which are subject to cancellation penalties. This way, in the event of an unforeseen cancellation, you will not have to pay these expenses.

Timing is important

Since travel plans continue to be fluid for many people, it’s a good idea to purchase insurance when you book your bundle package.

“It makes sense to book your flights, hotels, rental cars and tours at the same time, because then you will know the total cost of your prepaid and non-refundable travel deposits and can fully cover those investments with travel insurance,” explains Daniel Durazo, spokesperson for Allianz Partners.

He recommends purchasing your insurance at the same time you book your trip to get the longest possible period of coverage. “If you wait to purchase your insurance and suffer an illness or injury that requires you to cancel your trip, it will be too late to purchase insurance to cover this incident, as the insurance will not cover a” known event ” , ” he explains.