Arudy

Plan Your Trip

Travel insurance, in plain English

Most travelers don't need insurance. The ones who do really, really need it. Here is how to figure out which group you're in.

Important: Arudy is not an insurance broker or financial advisor. This is general editorial information, not a recommendation of any specific product. Always read the full policy before buying.

What a decent policy covers

  • Emergency medical and evacuation. The single most important coverage. A helicopter rescue or hospital stay abroad can cost tens of thousands.
  • Trip cancellation and interruption. Reimburses prepaid, non-refundable costs if you have to cancel or cut short for a covered reason.
  • Baggage delay and loss. Useful, but the payouts are usually modest. Read the per-item limit.
  • Travel delay. Covers meals and a hotel when an airline strands you.
  • 24/7 assistance line. Underrated — a human on the phone in the middle of the night is worth the premium alone.

What it usually doesn't cover

  • "Adventure" activities like motorbike riding, scuba below 30 m, or trekking above 4,500 m — unless you buy a specific add-on.
  • Alcohol or drug-related incidents. Even one drink before an accident can void a claim in some policies.
  • Pre-existing medical conditions not disclosed at the time of purchase.
  • Cancellation because you "changed your mind." Only specific covered reasons — illness, family emergency, weather events — trigger a payout.
  • Acts of war or civil unrest in the destination region.

How to choose

  1. Start with the medical and evacuation cap. We aim for at least 100,000 USD medical and 500,000 USD evacuation.
  2. Match the trip cancellation limit to your total non-refundable spend (flights + hotels + tours).
  3. Check the activity exclusion list against what you actually plan to do.
  4. Compare the deductible — a low premium with a 500 USD deductible is often worse than a slightly higher premium with no deductible.
  5. Read recent reviews of the claims process, not the sales page. Anyone can sell insurance; the test is how they pay.

When you might skip it

Short domestic trips, fully refundable bookings, and travel inside countries with strong reciprocal healthcare arrangements with yours often don't justify a policy. A long-haul trip, anything in a remote area, and anything involving altitude or water — those almost always do.