What if I receive partial refunds from my hotel or airline?

Any refunds, credits, or vouchers you receive from travel suppliers are deducted from your Trip Cancellation claim payout. You may only be reimbursed for the non-refundable portion after supplier refunds.

When is the best time to buy travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage?

Purchasing travel protection within 24 hours of your initial trip deposit may help maximize coverage options and eligibility for additional benefits.

Does trip cancellation insurance cover non-refundable hotel bookings?

Yes, trip cancellation coverage may reimburse prepaid, non-refundable hotel costs if you cancel for a covered reason before departure.

Can I purchase cancellation insurance for just my flight?

Trip cancellation coverage is typically part of a broader travel protection plan, but it may include reimbursement for non-refundable airfare if you cancel for a covered reason.

What to Do When a Travel Emergency Happens Abroad

Travel emergencies don't announce themselves. One moment you're exploring a new city, the next you're in a hospital bed struggling to communicate with doctors who don't speak English. Or you're watching news reports of a hurricane bearing down on your resort. Or you're standing at an embassy trying to replace a stolen passport hours before your flight home.

When these situations happen far from home, the challenges multiply. You're navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems, dealing with language barriers, and facing costs that can reach tens of thousands of dollars—all while trying to figure out how to get home safely.

Generali Global Assistance has provided travel protection, which includes assistance services for over 30 years. As part of the global Generali Group—one of the largest insurance providers worldwide—we combine international expertise with coverage designed specifically for U.S. residents. Our travel protection plans pair insurance coverage that may reimburse travelers for covered trip-related financial losses with 24/7 assistance services that provide immediate coordination and support during emergencies.

The Situations No Traveler Plans For

Travel emergencies come in different forms, each creating its own set of complications:

A Medical Emergency Far From Home

You collapse from heat exhaustion while touring ancient ruins in Greece. Your child develops a severe ear infection on a cruise ship in the middle of the Caribbean. A chronic condition flares up unexpectedly in a country where you don't speak the language and don't know which hospitals provide adequate care.

Medical emergencies abroad create immediate questions: Where do you go for treatment? How do you communicate your symptoms and medical history? What happens if the local hospital can't provide the level of care you need? And how much will this cost?

When You Need to Be Evacuated

Sometimes local medical facilities simply can't handle your condition. A serious injury in a remote area, a heart attack in a country with limited cardiac care, or a complication that requires specialized treatment not available where you are—these situations may require medical evacuation.

Air ambulance transport isn't like booking a regular flight. It requires medical personnel, specialized equipment, coordination with facilities at both ends, and navigation of international regulations. And it can cost $50,000 to $150,000 or more.

When a Crisis Hits and You Don't Know Where to Start

A pickpocket steals your bag at a train station in Rome—your passport, credit cards, phone, everything. Political unrest erupts in a previously stable destination. You receive word that a family member back home has suffered a medical emergency, and you need to get home immediately.

These situations demand quick action under stress. You need to contact embassies, rebook flights, communicate with travel suppliers, and arrange emergency transportation, often without the documents, funds, or local knowledge to do so efficiently.

Why Getting Home Is More Complicated Than It Sounds

Foreign Health Systems Don't Work Like Yours

Healthcare abroad operates differently from that in the United States. Payment expectations vary—some countries require upfront payment before treatment, others work with insurance directly. Quality standards differ. Finding English-speaking providers can be difficult. And your U.S. health insurance may not cover you at all, or may only pay after you've paid out of pocket and filed claims.

Even determining where to go for appropriate care becomes complicated. Which hospitals meet acceptable standards? Which facilities can handle your specific condition? Without local knowledge or a network of vetted providers, you're making critical healthcare decisions with limited information.

Air Ambulance and Medical Evacuation Costs

Medical evacuation costs vary based on distance, medical staffing requirements, equipment needed, and destination country regulations. An evacuation from Mexico might cost $25,000. From Europe, $50,000 to $75,000. From Asia or remote locations, $100,000 to $150,000 or more.

These aren't costs you can negotiate in the moment. When evacuation is medically necessary, it happens quickly, and you're responsible for payment. Without coverage, a single medical emergency abroad can create financial burdens that last for years.

Coordination Is as Important as Coverage

Having insurance coverage matters, but so does having someone who can actually arrange the logistics. When you're in a hospital bed in a foreign country, you're not in a position to research air ambulance companies, negotiate with medical facilities, coordinate with physicians in two countries, and handle the dozens of details that medical evacuation requires.

This is where emergency assistance services become critical. Professional coordinators who understand international medical systems, speak multiple languages, and have established networks of providers can handle arrangements while you focus on recovery.

What Travel Protection May Help Cover

Generali Global Assistance travel protection plans combine two elements: emergency assistance services that help provide immediate coordination support, and insurance coverage that may reimburse you for covered financial losses. What's covered depends on your specific plan and the circumstances of your emergency.

Emergency Medical Coverage

Medical and Dental coverage may reimburse costs for unexpected illness or injury that occurs during your trip, subject to plan limits. The Standard Plan provides up to $50,000 in Medical and Dental coverage, the Preferred Plan provides up to $150,000 per person, and the Premium Plan provides up to $250,000 per person.

Coverage applies to medically necessary treatment received during your trip for conditions that first occur after your coverage effective date. This can include hospital stays, physician services, prescription medications, and other medical expenses related to the covered illness or injury.

Pre-existing conditions* may be covered under certain circumstances when you meet specific eligibility requirements, including purchasing your Premium Plan purchased prior to or within 24 hours of your final Trip Payment and meeting other conditions outlined in your plan documents.

Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation

Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage may arrange and cover medically necessary transport to appropriate medical facilities when local care is inadequate for the condition requiring treatment.

This can include medical repatriation to the United States if your injuries or illness require care not available at your travel destination. Generali Global Assistance provides up to $250,000 per person in Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage with the Standard Plan, $500,000 with the Preferred Plan, and $1,000,000 with the Premium Plan.

Coordination is handled by our assistance teams, not by you in crisis. Coverage does not apply to evacuations for convenience, comfort preferences, or situations where local medical care is adequate, but you prefer treatment elsewhere.

24/7 Emergency Assistance Services

Our 24/7 Travel Assistance Services help connect you with vetted medical providers in our international network, arrange hospital admissions, and provide medical monitoring throughout treatment. Multilingual coordinators help overcome language barriers when discussing symptoms or treatment options with foreign healthcare providers.

Services available with all Generali Global Assistance plans include:

Medical provider referrals: Doctor and hospital referrals based on our international provider network, with coordination for hospital admissions and medical monitoring throughout treatment
Prescription replacement: Help replacing lost or stolen medications by connecting you with local pharmacies and coordinating with your physician back home
Emergency messaging: Relaying urgent communications to family members, employers, or other contacts when you cannot reach them directly
Document assistance: Guidance with lost or stolen passports and travel documents, including coordination with U.S. embassies and consulates
Interpreter services: Language support for medical appointments, legal situations, or other emergencies where communication barriers exist

Generali Global Assistance’s coordinators are available around the clock at the phone number printed on your Plan Documents.

Pre-Existing Conditions Abroad

Pre-existing medical conditions create additional concerns when traveling. Will your condition be covered if it flares up abroad? Can you get the medications you need? What happens if you require treatment related to a condition you had before your trip?

Generali Global Assistance’s Premium Plan may cover pre-existing conditions when you meet specific eligibility requirements. This typically includes purchasing your plan purchased prior to or within 24 hours of your final Trip Payment, insuring the full cost of your trip, and meeting other conditions outlined in your plan. Review your specific Plan Documents to understand what applies to your situation.

What to Look for in a Plan Before You Travel

Selecting the right travel protection plan involves considering where you're going, how long you'll be gone, what activities you'll do, and your personal health circumstances.

Medical Coverage Limits That Match Your Destination

Healthcare costs vary dramatically by country. A hospital stay in Switzerland or Japan can cost significantly more than in Southeast Asia or Central America. Daily hospital costs can range from $1,500 to $10,000 or more depending on location and level of care required.

Consider your destination's healthcare costs when selecting coverage limits. A trip to Western Europe or developed Asian countries may warrant higher Medical and Dental coverage than a trip to countries with lower healthcare costs. The Premium Plan provides up to $250,000 per person in Medical and Dental coverage, while the Standard Plan provides up to $50,000 for covered events.

Evacuation Benefit

Some destinations have limited medical infrastructure, making higher Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage limits more appropriate. A medical emergency in rural Africa or remote Pacific islands may require significantly more expensive evacuation arrangements than emergencies in major European cities.

Generali Global Assistance offers Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage up to $1,000,000 with the Premium Plan, $750,000 with the Preferred Plan, and $500,000 with Standard Plan. Consider both your destination's medical infrastructure and the distance from adequate medical facilities when evaluating what coverage level makes sense for your trip.

Assistance Services

All Generali Global Assistance plans include 24/7 Assistance Services, but understanding what's available helps you use them effectively. Keep the assistance number accessible—save it in your phone and share it with travel companions before departure. Know that services extend beyond medical situations to include emergency cash transfer coordination (up to plan limits) and legal referrals when you face legal issues abroad.

Real Situations, Real Coverage Needs

Traveling to a Remote Destination

Remote destinations create unique challenges. Medical facilities may be hours away, evacuation logistics become more complex, and costs increase substantially. A trekking trip in Nepal, a safari in rural Africa, or travel to remote Pacific islands all increase the importance of robust Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage and assistance services that can coordinate complex logistics.

Traveling with a Pre-Existing Condition

If you have a chronic health condition, international travel requires additional planning. Ensure you have enough medication for your entire trip plus extra in case of delays, and carry essential medical documents that detail your conditions and prescriptions. Understand what coverage applies to your pre-existing condition by reviewing plan terms and purchasing within required timeframes. Know how to access medical care if your condition requires attention while abroad.

Traveling as a Senior

Travelers over 65 face higher risks of medical emergencies abroad, and Medicare typically doesn't cover care received outside the United States. Age-related health concerns, medication needs, and the physical demands of travel all increase the likelihood of needing medical care. Higher Medical and Dental coverage limits and assistance services become more important for senior travelers, particularly on longer international trips.

Before You Leave Home

No one plans for emergencies, but having support available provides reassurance when traveling far from home. Generali Global Assistance Travel Protection Plans with 24 Hour Emergency Assistance Services combines coordination support with financial protection for covered losses, addressing both logistical challenges and economic impacts that emergencies create.

Get peace of mind on your trip. Explore travel protection options and get a quote today to find a plan that fits your needs. Plans must be purchased before departure and within specific timeframes to qualify for certain benefits.

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Travel Assistance

What happens if I need emergency medical care in a country where I don't speak the language?

Generali Global Assistance Travel Assistance Services provides interpreter support and can connect you with English-speaking medical providers in our international network or coordinate communication with local healthcare facilities through multilingual assistance coordinators available 24/7.

How quickly can an emergency evacuation be arranged?

Emergency Evacuation or Emergency Assistance and Transportation coordination begins immediately when you contact our assistance team, though actual evacuation timing depends on your medical stability, available transport options, weather conditions, and local infrastructure. Our medical team works to arrange medically necessary transport as conditions safely allow.

Can Generali Global Assistance help if my traveling companion has an emergency, but I'm unaffected?

Travel Assistance Services can help coordinate care for your traveling companion and provide logistical support regardless of whether you're directly affected. However, coverage for changes to your own trip (such as Trip Interruption coverage) typically requires you to be directly affected by a covered event or traveling with a covered family member. Check your specific plan's Trip Interruption section for details on companion situations.

What's the difference between Medical and Dental coverage and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage with Generali?

Medical and Dental coverage may reimburse costs for medical treatment you receive during your trip due to unexpected illness or injury that occurs after your coverage begins, up to plan limits ($50,000 to $250,000 per person depending on plan level). Emergency Assistance and Transportation may cover medically necessary transport to appropriate facilities when local care is inadequate, up to much higher limits ($250,000 to $1,000,000 per person). Both serve different purposes. Medical and Dental coverage helps covers treatment costs, while Emergency Assistance and Transportation helps covers transport costs when evacuation is deemed medically necessary.