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As an epicenter of religious history, Israel is a popular year-round destination. Many of the hotels, tours and excursions must be paid for in advance. Often these deposits and travel expenses are non-refundable. Faith alone cannot prevent unexpected travel problems, so it is wise to have travel insurance to protect the money you have invested in your trip to Israel.
“Israel is a country of religious significance and offers the traveler both natural beauty and wonderful museums, temples and religious tours for all to appreciate,” said Scott Adamsky, AIG Travel Guard spokesman. “Grab a pair of comfortable shoes and explore the many wonders that make Israel an important and enjoyable destination.”
The best travel insurance companies provide policies with trip cancellation, trip delay and interruption, travel medical expenses and baggage coverage. Consider these benefits when shopping for a travel insurance policy.
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Travel Cancellation Insurance for Holy City Retention
A trip to Israel can take months to plan and years to save for, but something can still happen that prevents you from going. Trip cancellation benefits apply if you have to cancel your trip due to unforeseen reasons specified in the policy, such as illness, injury or death of a close family member. Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you 100% of prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses.
Not all reasons for canceling your trip will be covered by a basic travel insurance policy. For example, if you decide to stay home because your grandson is going to be the lead in the high school play, you won’t be eligible to file a trip cancellation claim.
Travel Insurance “Cancellation for any reason”.
To make a trip cancellation claim for any reason, add Cancellation for Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance to your policy. This upgrade usually adds 50% to your travel insurance costs. But CFAR allows you to cancel no matter what and claim as long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure. CFAR insurance usually reimburses 75% of your insured travel costs and you usually have to buy it within 14 days of booking your trip.
Security Considerations in Israel and the Middle East
Civil unrest — a problem for many visitors to Israel — is not usually covered by travel insurance, says Megan Walch, a spokeswoman for InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance comparison provider. If you’re worried that civil disturbance announcements will make you feel unsafe, Walch says buying a CFAR upgrade might be a good idea. “CFAR offers the most flexibility to cancel a trip, at least two days in advance, for something other than a covered reason,” Walch says.
Terrorist attacks are covered by most travel insurance plans as long as you purchased the policy before the incident became foreseeable. This is one of the benefits of purchasing travel insurance when you book your trip. You receive the maximum period for cancellation benefits. You also don’t miss the window of time to purchase CFAR and other time-sensitive benefits.
Oh Wei! Travel delay insurance for trips to Israel
Travel delay insurance under a comprehensive travel insurance policy can cover the cost of hotel, food and other additional expenses if your flight is delayed due to an unexpected event, such as bad weather or mechanical problems on the plane. You may also receive reimbursement of non-refundable travel expenses for the parts of the trip you missed. Let’s say the delay causes you to arrive in Israel a day late. If you paid in advance for a Tel Aviv tour, you can file a refund claim.
Note that travel delay benefits have a required waiting time specified in the policies. For example, you may need to be six or 12 hours late for delay benefits to apply. In addition, travel delay coverage will have a limit per day and a total maximum benefit per person.
Golan Heights Trip Interruption Insurance
No one sets out on a road trip expecting to be back earlier than planned, but an emergency at home may cause you to cut your trip short. In such a case, trip interruption insurance can be a blessing. You will find this coverage under a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
Travel interruption insurance can pay for a last-minute flight from Israel if you need to leave early for a reason covered by your policy. For example, illness, injury or death of a companion or immediate family member is covered by most policies. You can also make a claim for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses that you will lose.
Not all problems and incidents are covered by standard trip interruption insurance. For example, if you discover that there are ongoing clashes between protesters on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and decide to skip that part of your tour, you will not be eligible to file a trip interruption claim.
Travel Insurance “Interruption for any reason”.
If you want the freedom to cut your trip short no matter what, you can purchase an Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR) travel insurance upgrade. Buying an IFAR upgrade adds 3% to 10% to your travel insurance costs, but reimburses 50% or 75% of your insured travel costs, depending on your policy. IFAR benefits usually apply 48 or 72 hours after your trip. Not all travel insurance companies offer an IFAR upgrade.
Medical issues while traveling in Israel
When traveling abroad, travel medical insurance is among the most important considerations. Your US-based health insurance may not travel with you, so it’s best to contact your health insurance company to check what, if any, global coverage you have. Senior travelers should be aware that Medicare is not accepted outside the US
This is why it is very important to have travel medical insurance. Pays up to policy limits for doctor and hospital expenses, lab work, drugs and x-rays, among other necessary medical expenses due to illness or injury. The best travel insurance plans have $500,000 worth of coverage, but many plans offer less if you don’t think you need that much.
Emergency evacuation travel insurance
AIG Travel’s Adamski says that while there is adequate medical care in Israel’s larger cities, your trip may take you to more remote regions of the country. If you are injured or become very ill while there, you may need immediate airlift to get you to a properly equipped medical center.
Adamski says medical evacuations can be expensive, from tens of thousands of dollars to hundreds of thousands, depending on your location and condition. That’s why it’s wise to purchase a travel insurance plan that includes medical evacuation insurance. Pays up to your policy limits for medical services to the nearest eligible treatment center.
Travel insurance for non-medical evacuation
What if political or civil unrest breaks out while you are in Israel and you feel unsafe? Some travel insurance policies include non-medical evacuation benefits that transport you to safety, says Megan Moncrieff, spokeswoman for travel insurance comparison service provider Squaremouth.
If you’re worried about civil unrest, consider purchasing a policy with non-medical evacuation coverage. For example, AIG Travel’s Travel Guard Deluxe includes evacuation security coverage up to $100,000.
Luggage insurance for travel in Israel
If your bags are lost or stolen, baggage insurance can reimburse you for the depreciated value up to your policy limits for the depreciated value of your suitcases and what’s packed inside. Be sure to read your policy for coverage limits and exclusions per item.
Also check whether your baggage insurance is primary or secondary. If it’s basic, you file a baggage insurance claim first. If it’s secondary, you file a claim with your home insurance or renters insurance first, then with your travel insurance company.
Baggage insurance also applies to your personal belongings when you are at your destination. If your backpack is stolen, you can file a claim for reimbursement. Be sure to get a theft report from local law enforcement or your tour guide. You will need this report when you file a claim.
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How much is travel insurance to Israel?
The average cost of travel insurance for a trip to Israel is $456, based on data from Squaremouth. Travelers insure an average of $6,349 for trips to Israel.
Overall, the average cost of travel insurance is 6% of the cost of your trip, according to Forbes Advisor’s. The price of travel insurance is usually based mainly on the cost of the trip and your age.