Whether you're new to travel insurance or just need a refresher, take a look at our "5 W's" of travel insurance, with particular focus on single trip plans including cancellation coverage:

WHO

There are travel insurance plans available for just about anyone taking any type of trip, but all plans have different coverage and eligibility. Our trip cancellation plans cover any U.S. resident of any age. Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage generally kicks in if you, an immediate family member or travel companion becomes sick (under the care of a physician) or dies. Some plans may cover sickness or death of a pet, but this coverage is less common – check with your plan if you need that coverage.

WHAT

Travel insurance provides coverage for unforeseen circumstances that may prevent a traveler from taking their trip or disrupt their trip after they’ve departed. Travel insurance plans cover specific “named perils” or covered reasons for which a benefit would apply. Circumstances outside of those covered reasons listed in the policy are not covered by the plan. When buying travel insurance, a traveler should plan to cover any pre-paid, non-refundable trip cost.

WHEN

Travel insurance can generally be purchased any time up to the day before departure, but the earlier a traveler purchases their plan, the better. The plan is effective the day after purchase, and Trip Cancellation coverage kicks in immediately in the event of a covered circumstance. If you're concerned about hurricanes, snow storms or other major weather events, buy your plan early: once a storm is named, it is considered a foreseen event, so a plan bought after that time would not provide coverage for any storm-related disruptions.

Most plans also offer Early Purchase Advantages – most commonly a waiver of the Pre-Existing Medical Conditions exclusion and the optional Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade. The Early Purchase Advantages are only available if the plan is purchased within a short time after the initial trip deposit, usually 10-21 days, depending on the plan. Travelers should check their plan for the Early Purchase advantages and time period, as all plans are different.

WHERE

Most travel insurance plans cover a traveler any time they are 100 or more miles from their home. Plans cover domestic travel within the U.S. and also international travel. Most plans exclude coverage to certain countries that may be experiencing war, unrest or other political issues, but the common travel destinations are available for coverage.

WHY

Travel is not inexpensive, and the cost should be viewed as an investment. Should something unexpected cause a traveler to cancel or interrupt their trip, or if the traveler experiences a medical emergency, travel insurance can provide important financial protection, not to mention peace of mind.

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Questions about coverage or plans available to you? Visit www.travelinsure.com to view our travel insurance plans and get a free quote. You can also call USI Travel Insurance Services customer service Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time to get your questions answered or enroll by phone: (800) 937-1387.