What Is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of coverage that protects you from financial losses related to your trip. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway to Mexico or a month-long European adventure, travel insurance helps cover unexpected events that could derail your plans or drain your wallet. Our insurance agents at FOCO Insurance Services help San Bernardino residents find the right travel coverage before they leave home.

This coverage typically includes protection for trip cancellations, medical emergencies that happen while traveling, lost or delayed baggage, and emergency evacuations. Unlike your standard health insurance, which may not cover you internationally, travel insurance fills these gaps. It's designed specifically for the unique risks you face when you're away from home—whether that's domestic travel within California or international trips abroad.

Travel insurance policies come in different forms. You can purchase single-trip coverage for one vacation, annual plans if you travel frequently, or specialized policies for specific situations like cruises or adventure sports. The key is matching your coverage to your trip details and personal needs.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Travel insurance offers several types of coverage to protect different aspects of your trip. Understanding what's included helps you choose the right policy for your needs:

Trip Cancellation and Interruption

This coverage reimburses you for prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel before departure or cut your trip short. Covered reasons typically include:

• Illness or injury to you or a traveling companion


• Death of a family member


• Severe weather that prevents travel


• Jury duty or court subpoenas


• Job loss due to company layoffs


• Home damage from fire, flood, or natural disaster

Some policies also offer Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, which provides partial reimbursement even if your cancellation doesn't fit standard categories. This optional upgrade typically costs 40–60% more but gives you flexibility.

Emergency Medical Coverage

If you get sick or injured while traveling, medical coverage pays for treatment, hospital stays, and prescriptions. This is especially important for international travel, since your regular health insurance may not cover you outside the United States. Emergency medical benefits typically include:

• Doctor visits and hospital care


• Emergency dental treatment


• Prescription medications


• Medical evacuation to the nearest adequate facility


• Repatriation of remains if the worst happens

Baggage and Personal Belongings

Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage can ruin a trip. Baggage coverage reimburses you for your belongings and may also cover:

• Delayed baggage (provides funds for essential purchases)


• Personal items like cameras, laptops, and jewelry


• Sporting equipment


• Travel documents replacement

Travel Delays

If your flight is delayed significantly (usually 6–12 hours depending on the policy), this coverage reimburses expenses like meals, accommodations, and essential purchases. It also covers missed connections due to delays.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

The cost of travel insurance depends on several key factors related to your trip and personal situation. Understanding these factors helps you budget appropriately and find coverage that fits your needs.

Your total trip cost is the primary factor influencing your premium. Since trip cancellation coverage is based on reimbursing prepaid expenses, a more expensive vacation requires higher coverage limits and results in higher premiums. A weekend trip within California will cost significantly less to insure than a multi-week international adventure with first-class accommodations.

Trip duration also affects pricing. Longer trips mean more time for something to go wrong, so insurers charge more for extended travel. A three-day business trip costs less to insure than a month-long vacation, even if the destination is the same.

Your destination matters too. Travel to countries with higher medical costs or greater political instability typically costs more to insure. International travel insurance generally runs higher than domestic coverage because of medical coverage requirements and evacuation considerations.

Traveler age plays a significant role in pricing. Older travelers typically pay more for coverage, especially for medical benefits, because they face higher health risks. If you're traveling with family, each person's age affects the overall premium.

The type of coverage you choose impacts cost as well. Basic plans covering just trip cancellation and medical emergencies cost less than comprehensive policies with extensive coverage. Adding optional benefits like Cancel For Any Reason coverage or adventure sports coverage increases your premium substantially.

Pre-existing medical conditions may require additional coverage or exclusions, affecting your premium. Some policies offer pre-existing condition waivers if you purchase insurance within a specific timeframe after making your first trip deposit.

Getting quotes from multiple carriers helps you find competitive rates. FOCO Insurance Services works with top travel insurance providers to compare options and find coverage that fits your budget and travel plans.

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Whether you need travel insurance depends on your trip details, financial situation, and risk tolerance. Some situations make travel insurance especially valuable.

Consider travel insurance if you've invested significant money in non-refundable deposits for flights, hotels, tours, or cruises. If canceling your trip would mean losing thousands of dollars, trip cancellation coverage protects your investment. This is particularly important if you're booking far in advance or traveling during hurricane season or other periods with weather risks.

International travelers should seriously consider travel insurance. Your regular health insurance likely doesn't cover medical care outside the United States, and Medicare definitely doesn't. Emergency medical coverage and evacuation benefits become crucial if you face a health crisis abroad. Medical evacuation alone can cost tens of thousands of dollars without insurance.

Travelers with pre-existing medical conditions benefit from travel insurance, especially policies with pre-existing condition waivers. These waivers typically require purchasing insurance within 10–21 days of your first trip deposit, so plan ahead.

If you're traveling with elderly family members, young children, or anyone with health concerns, travel insurance provides peace of mind. Medical emergencies can happen anywhere, and having coverage ensures you can get necessary care without worrying about the cost.

Adventure travelers participating in activities like skiing, scuba diving, or mountain climbing need specialized coverage. Standard policies may exclude these activities, so you'll want a policy that specifically covers adventure sports.

On the other hand, travel insurance may be less critical for short domestic trips with minimal prepaid expenses, especially if you're driving and staying with family or friends. If you're flexible with dates and can absorb cancellation costs, you might skip coverage for low-stakes travel.

Many credit cards offer some travel protection benefits, but these are often limited compared to dedicated travel insurance policies. Review your credit card benefits carefully and understand the gaps before relying on them exclusively.

How to Get Travel Insurance in San Bernardino

Getting travel insurance for your San Bernardino vacation or international trip is straightforward when you work with an experienced local agency. FOCO Insurance Services has helped Inland Empire residents protect their travel plans for over 19 years.

Start by gathering details about your trip. You'll need to know your departure and return dates, destination, total trip cost (including flights, hotels, tours, and other prepaid expenses), and the ages of all travelers. Having this information ready helps you get accurate quotes quickly.

Timing matters with travel insurance. Purchase your policy soon after making your first trip deposit to qualify for pre-existing condition waivers and maximum benefits. Most policies require purchase within 10–21 days of your initial deposit for full coverage. Waiting until just before your trip means you might miss important protections.

Our team compares policies from multiple carriers to find coverage that matches your specific needs. We'll explain the differences between basic medical coverage, comprehensive plans, and specialized options like Cancel For Any Reason protection. We help you understand what's covered, what's excluded, and which policy provides the best value for your situation.

California residents traveling internationally should pay special attention to medical coverage limits and evacuation benefits. We ensure your policy includes adequate coverage for your destination's healthcare costs and potential emergency transportation needs.

If you're planning multiple trips throughout the year, ask about annual travel insurance policies. These plans can cost less than buying separate coverage for each trip and provide consistent protection year-round. They're ideal for frequent business travelers or families who vacation several times annually.

Review your policy documents carefully before finalizing your purchase. Make sure you understand the coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, and claims process. Keep your policy information and emergency contact numbers accessible during your trip—save them on your phone and keep a printed copy in your luggage.

Get Your Free Travel Insurance Quote

Planning a trip from San Bernardino? Don't let unexpected events turn your dream vacation into a financial nightmare. FOCO Insurance Services makes it easy to protect your travel investment with comprehensive coverage from trusted carriers.

Our local team understands the unique needs of Inland Empire travelers, whether you're heading to the beaches of Southern California, visiting family across the country, or embarking on an international adventure. We shop multiple carriers to find coverage that fits your trip details and budget, and we explain your options in plain language—no confusing insurance jargon.

Getting a quote takes just minutes. Contact our team today by calling our office at (866) 315-7564 or stopping by our San Bernardino location at 2075 E Highland Ave. You can also request a quote online, and we'll respond promptly with personalized options for your upcoming trip.

With over 19 years of experience serving San Bernardino families and businesses, FOCO Insurance Services combines local expertise with competitive rates. We're here to answer your questions, compare policy options, and help you travel with confidence. Get your free travel insurance quote today and focus on enjoying your trip, not worrying about what might go wrong.