Insurance policies and regulations relating to various liabilities are oftentimes taken for granted and standardized in some parts of the world, while in others they have a totally different structure and area of coverage.
Auto Insurance, for example, often comes with territory limitation to its coverage area. However, Liability insurance in the US typically provides worldwide coverage. In simple words, this means there are no territory limitations of any kind to the liability coverage part provided by the typical homeowners’ insurance policy. You may want to look into getting an international license before you go as well.
What does this mean? It basically means that if you are in possession of a homeowners, tenant or condo insurance policy in the United States, the limit of liability you carry on your insurance contract should be valid all over the world.
Now, if you do not have Personal Liability insurance as part of your insurance plan, then there are some travel liability insurance programs which include this coverage and can serve as a great backup. Here are a few that include Personal Liability:
- Atlas Travel Plan – Includes $10,000 of Personal Liability coverage for non-US and US citizens traveling outside their home country, with the option to add another $90,000 to bring the total to $100,000.
- Liaison Majestic – Includes $100,000 of Personal Liability coverage
- Underwritten by Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s – “A” AM Best Financial Rating
Now, the above plans and options can be obtained through a number of outlets so it is advisable to give it a good read and decide which one is the best for your particular case and duration of stay. The International Travel Insurance Group come equipped with some pretty useful information when it comes to the available programs, general rules, guidelines and a helpful comparison page
Know the Exclusions:
Wherever you plan on going and regardless of the offer you are going to choose, it is paramount to note, that every homeowner’s liability policy and travel liability insurance plan come with a set of well documented exclusions. Always consult with your policy for a list of those events that are excluded.
Some common exclusions contain:
- Use of a Motor Vehicle
- Use of Watercraft
- Use of Aircraft
- Business contacts and exposure
Finally, another thing worth mentioning is that typical Trip Cancellation insurance programs provided stand-alone or by credit cards do not generally include Personal Liability coverage.
Good planning and precaution always lead to more enjoyment in every adventure. Choose wisely and enjoy your stay!
