How many times have you made a purchase only to regret it later? Hopefully, it wasn’t too expensive, and even better, you were able to return it. Buyer’s remorse is a horrible thing, and that’s why you need to ask questions and know as much as possible upfront. Travel should be seen in the same light. Make sure you know everything involved before making a deposit or paying in full.
Whether it’s flights, a tour, a cruise, or travel insurance, it’s always important to read and understand the terms—even if they are in a smaller font and lengthy. For example, travel insurance is very specific about what’s covered, so this can end up being incredibly important.
Let’s explore the top reasons you should always read terms and conditions.
Accidentally Voided Terms
This particular issue could just pop up purely by accident. Did you know that certain actions you take can void any protections you have? It will depend on the item you’ve purchased and the tour operator or seller. A good example is travel insurance, such as medical coverage. You want to ensure you follow all the rules of the insurance, so you don’t risk it being nullified.
Less Coverage Than You Assumed
Assuming you have coverage for everything is another mistake people make. The travel terms and conditions should lay everything out for you. If you have questions that aren’t covered, make sure you ask before you make a purchase or put down a deposit. If you’ve been fortunate enough not to lose your baggage, you haven’t had to worry about what is covered. But the fact is this can happen to anyone at any time.
Maximum Payout Ceiling
Speaking of coverage, how much are you covered for? Almost every travel or medical insurance or contract has a maximum payout. That maximum may not end up covering everything, so you need to be prepared for that situation.
Will You Need to Cover the Expenses Upfront?
Nobody likes to think of getting sick or having an accident while on holiday, but life happens. You may suddenly need to seek medical help, and even something more serious like emergency medical care, a hospital stay, and even surgery. Depending on where you’re travelling, medical care can be extremely expensive. This is exactly why people purchase medical travel insurance.
But even if you’ve been responsible and purchased insurance, you still need to know how it works. Will you be expected to pay a portion of or the full amount upfront? Some insurance companies will require you to cover the costs and will reimburse you once you submit a claim and receipts when you get home.
Understand the Claims Process
This takes us to the next reason you’ve got to read the travel terms and conditions:know how to make a claim should you encounter an issue. Do you make it right away? Is there a website or companion app for submitting the claim, or perhaps a toll-free number to call? Even after you read the terms and conditions, it’s still a good idea to take any pamphlet or information with you that details the claims process.
Can You Make Changes to Your Booking?
When you make your booking or purchase, you intend to follow through on your plans.But what happens if you suddenly need to change a detail of your booking? Maybe you don’t need to stay in your accommodations as many nights, want to downgrade the vehicle you are renting, and so forth. The question to ask is whether this is allowed and, if so, how do you do it?
Generally speaking, changes will usually be allowed up to a certain point. That could be 24 hours, 72 hours, or even a week before traveling. It’s extremely rare to make changes at the last minute without some sort of penalty.
Cancellation Terms
Sometimes a change to your booking isn’t enough, and you may need to cancel it outright. This can be tricky territory, especially if you’ve already made a deposit. Chances are high that the deposit will be lost, but you may not have to pay a fine or fee for cancellation. In other cases, you may need to pay for a portion of the trip or the entire thing. That can be a big hit to the wallet, so you want to be sure the cancellation policy is flexible enough to meet your needs.
One thing worth mentioning is that you can often purchase cancellation insurance for an added fee. Also, some hotels and resorts offer a slightly higher rate that includes cancellation insurance. Just be sure to read those terms and conditions too, as you still need to provide notice by a certain point, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
It’s Always Better to Take the Cautious Approach
From casinos to online shopping, terms and conditions are a common thing to deal with. However, when it comes to travel terms and conditions, you’re always better to take the cautious approach. Reading the terms thoroughly and asking questions will take extra time, but it could pay off in a big way and ensure you don’t end up with an unexpected expense or some other unpleasant surprise.