As you know, I work as a global ambassador for Allianz Travel Insurance. This post has been reposted from the Allianz Travel Insurance website as I think it contains important information for people to better plan and understand travel insurance.

When our customers speak, we listen. We heard travelers ask for simplified claims filing, improved travel delay and baggage delay benefits, more covered reasons for trip cancellation and streamlined existing medical condition coverage. And we said, “Sure!”

Allianz Global Assistance just introduced some big changes to two plans: OneTrip Prime(formerly the Classic Plan) and OneTrip Premier (formerly Classic with Trip Plus). Here’s an overview of what we changed in these plans:

1. You can get paid for the inconvenience of delayed travel and delayed baggage.

When travel hiccups like cancelled flights and mislaid bags mess up your vacation, you deserve some recompense. Now, travel insurance can give you a fixed payment of $100 for covered travel delays and baggage delays. No receipts for purchases are required; all you need is proof of your covered travel delay.

If you purchase the One Trip Prime or One Trip Premier Plan, you can receive $100 per day for a covered travel delay or $100 for a covered baggage delay. You may not even have to file a claim; if your covered travel delay is on a flight monitored by Allianz Global Assistance, we can automatically file and pay the claim on your behalf.

If your losses are greater than $100 — if, for instance, you have to get a hotel for two nights because a winter storm grounds all flights — then you may file a claim, with receipts, up to the maximum limit stated in your plan (no more than $200 per day).

2. We’ve reduced the amount of time that qualifies as a delay.

Previously, a covered travel delay meant your trip was delayed six or more consecutive hours for a covered reason. Now, it’s just five hours, if you purchase the One Trip Prime Plan; or three hours, for the One Trip Premier Plan.

And previously, the baggage delay benefit only kicked in if your baggage was delayed by an airline, cruise line or other travel service provider, hotel or tour operator for 24 hours or more. We cut that to 12 hours.

3. We’ve added more covered reasons for trip cancellation and trip interruption.

Covered reasons are certain situations and events that, when they occur, mean you may be eligible to make a claim. Allianz Global Assistance is already known for giving customers a broad range of covered reasons for trip cancellation and trip interruption — and now we’re adding even more.

• Employment Transfer (trip cancellation only): Your or a traveling companion’s primary residence is permanently relocated by at least 200 miles due to a transfer by your, your spouse’s, or your traveling companion’s current employer.
• Mandatory Evacuation: Government authorities order a mandatory evacuation at your destination that is in effect within 24 hours prior to your departure date, or while you are on your trip.
• Canceled Services: Your travel supplier can’t get you to your original destination for at least 24 consecutive hours from the originally scheduled arrival time due to a natural disaster, severe weather, strike, or FAA (or foreign equivalent) mandate. If alternate transportation can be found, you may be eligible for reimbursement for out-of-pocket alternate transportation expenses, less any refunds from the travel supplier.
• Hurricane Warning (OneTrip Premier Plan only): After you purchase your policy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or foreign equivalent issues a cyclone, hurricane or typhoon warning at your destination prior to departure or while you are on your trip.

4. We doubled the reimbursement limit for the change fee and frequent traveler program redeposit benefits.

If you have to change the dates on your airline or train ticket for a covered reason, travel insurance with the change fees benefit can reimburse you for the fees charged by the airline or railway. The maximum limit was $250; now, it’s $500.

Same for the Loyalty Program Redeposit Fee benefit: If you have to re-deposit points in your frequent traveler program because your trip is canceled for a covered reason, then travel insurance can reimburse you for any fees charged for re-depositing your points or miles. The maximum limit for this benefit is now $500 as well.

5. We’ve made it easier to get a travel insurance plan that can cover existing medical conditions.

At Allianz Global Assistance, we believe that having a   shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying the reassurance and protection of travel insurance. Previously, it was possible for travelers to lose their pre-existing condition coverage if their trip costs exceeded the original purchase limit. Now, your trip cost is not a qualifier for pre-existing medical conditions coverage — but each policy will have a maximum limit for pre-existing medical condition coverage (up to $50,000 for OneTrip Prime and up to $75,000 for OneTrip Premier).

When purchasing a plan that can cover you for losses due to a pre-existing medical condition, the requirements are:

• You must purchase your policy within 14 days of your initial trip deposit or payment.
• You must be a U.S. resident when the policy is purchased.
• You must be medically able to travel when the policy is purchased.

On the policy purchase date, you must insure the full non-refundable cost of your trip with us. This includes trip arrangements that will become non-refundable or subject to cancellation penalties between the policy purchase date and the departure date. (If you incur additional non-refundable trip expenses after you purchase this policy, you must insure them with us within 14 days of their purchase. If you do not, those expenses will still be subject to the pre-existing medical condition exclusion.)

Other Changes to the OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier Travel Insurance Plans

• We’re combining travel delay and missed connection benefits to give you more seamless coverage.
• We’re sending you a pre-departure reminder of your benefits.
• We’re sending you email and/or text notifications when we see that your flight has been delayed or canceled, or when you’re eligible for the automatic $100 payment following a covered travel delay. Please be aware that we can’t track every flight, however; you also should check your trip status with your airline, cruise line or other travel service provider.
• We’re reducing the documentation you need when filing claims; a Physician Statement Form is no longer required for claims related to pre-existing medical conditions.
• We’re introducing a per-diem charge of $5 per day for each travel day after 30 days (excluding any days added to a trip due to covered travel delays). If you’re planning a long trip, or more than two trips in a 365-day period, you should consider an AllTrips annual travel insurance plan.

Disclaimer: I work as an ambassador for Allianz Global Assistance (AGA Service Company) and receive financial compensation.

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