What Should You Consider Before Buying Travel Insurance?

What happened in September 2011?

A reader booked a Miramar Travel Taiwan tour and bought two travel policies the next day (HK$200-plus in premiums); eight days before departure the agency cancelled for low numbers and refunded the tour fare — but the travel insurance had been effective since purchase day, so no refund even without a tour: premiums lost. Miramar said it had notified within the Travel Industry Council’s required days; insurance bought via the agency would be itemised on the receipt.

What did the Travel Industry Council say?

Before buying travel insurance, consider the risk of cancellation or personal factors preventing departure, then decide when to insure.

What’s the lesson?

Don’t buy insurance the moment you book — wait until the tour is confirmed; read refund terms first. (Practical insurance guidance, rewritten bilingually as-is.)