Your Ultimate Travel Insurance Glossary: Terms starting with F

Glossary on Travel Insurance Terms starting with F

Understanding travel insurance can be complex, but knowing the key terms and concepts can simplify the process. This glossary is designed to answer essential questions about travel insurance, such as “What is included in travel insurance?” and “What is LTA in travel insurance?” It covers a wide range of topics, from the most common type of travel insurance to specifics like global travel protection and what “worldwide” means in the context of coverage.

Whether you're curious about the duration of travel insurance, what international and domestic policies cover, or what travel insurance does not cover, this guide has you covered. Discover the different types of travel insurance, the importance of having coverage, and how global travel insurance terms apply, especially with considerations for COVID-19.

With clear explanations and examples, you’ll learn about global travel policies, what is covered in international travel insurance, and how to obtain the right travel insurance for your needs. Dive into our glossary to gain a comprehensive understanding of travel insurance and make informed decisions for your next trip.

To help you decode this complex landscape, we've compiled a comprehensive glossary from A to Z. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time explorer, this guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to understand and make the most of your travel insurance coverage.

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J
K	L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T
U	V	W	X	Y	Z

1. Family Plan: A type of travel insurance policy that provides coverage for all members of a family, often at a discounted rate compared to purchasing individual policies for each family member. Family plans typically cover parents and their dependent children.
2. Force Majeure: A clause in travel insurance policies that refers to unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract. In travel insurance, force majeure events might include natural disasters, war, or other significant disruptions that affect travel plans.
3. Foreign Currency Exchange Fee: A fee charged by credit card companies or banks when a transaction is conducted in a foreign currency. Some travel insurance policies may cover these fees if they result from a travel delay or other covered event.
4. Fraudulent Charges: Unauthorized charges made to a traveler's credit card or bank account while traveling. Some travel insurance policies offer protection against fraudulent charges, reimbursing the traveler for any losses incurred.
5. Free Look Period: A set period, usually 10-15 days, during which a traveler can review their travel insurance policy after purchase and cancel it for a full refund if they decide it does not meet their needs. This period allows travelers to thoroughly read the policy details and ensure it provides the desired coverage.
6. Frequent Traveler Insurance: A type of travel insurance policy designed for individuals who travel frequently throughout the year. Instead of purchasing a new policy for each trip, frequent traveler insurance provides coverage for multiple trips taken within a specified period, usually a year.
   
   
   
7. Full Coverage: A term that implies comprehensive protection against a wide range of potential risks, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, baggage loss, and more. However, "full coverage" can vary between policies, so it’s important to read the policy details to understand what is included.
8. Future Travel Credit: A credit provided by a travel supplier (airline, cruise line, tour operator) for use on future travel instead of a refund. Travel insurance policies may have specific provisions regarding the reimbursement or use of future travel credits in the event of a covered cancellation or interruption.
9. Flight Accident Insurance: A specific type of travel insurance that provides coverage for accidents that occur during a flight. This coverage may include accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefits, as well as medical expense coverage resulting from an in-flight accident.
10. Flight Delay Coverage: Coverage that reimburses travelers for additional expenses incurred due to a delayed flight. This may include costs for meals, accommodations, and transportation during the delay period, subject to specific conditions such as the length of the delay.
11. Flight Interruption Coverage: Coverage that provides benefits if a traveler’s flight is interrupted after departure. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as mechanical issues, weather conditions, or other unforeseen events that cause the flight to be delayed or canceled after it has already begun.
12. Flight Itinerary: A detailed plan of a traveler's flight schedule, including departure and arrival times, flight numbers, and connecting flights. Travel insurance policies often require submission of the flight itinerary to process claims related to flight delays, cancellations, or missed connections.
13. Formulary: A list of prescription medications covered by a travel insurance policy. If a traveler needs medication while on a trip, the formulary will specify which drugs are covered under the policy’s medical expense coverage.
14. Fracture Benefit: A benefit that provides a fixed payment to a traveler if they suffer a bone fracture during their trip. This is typically included under accident coverage in travel insurance policies.
15. Fronting: A practice where an individual claims to be the primary traveler on an insurance policy but is not. This can be a form of insurance fraud. Travel insurance policies must accurately reflect the primary traveler and any additional insured individuals to be valid.
16. Fund Transfer Fraud: A type of fraud where unauthorized individuals gain access to a traveler's bank accounts and transfer funds without permission. Some travel insurance policies offer protection against such fraud, reimbursing the traveler for lost funds.
17. Future Medical Expenses: Expenses for medical treatment that will be needed after the initial emergency treatment. Some travel insurance policies provide coverage for future medical expenses if they result from an injury or illness that occurred during the insured trip.
18. Financial Default: A situation where a travel supplier, such as an airline, cruise line, or tour operator, ceases operations due to financial insolvency. Some travel insurance policies offer coverage for trip cancellation or interruption due to the financial default of a travel supplier.
19. First Responder Coverage: Coverage that provides benefits for medical expenses incurred if a traveler needs immediate medical attention from a first responder, such as an ambulance or emergency medical technician, due to an accident or sudden illness while traveling.
20. Fixed Benefit: A predetermined, set amount of money that a travel insurance policy will pay out for specific covered events, such as accidental death, dismemberment, or hospitalization. This amount is specified in the policy and does not vary based on the actual expenses incurred.
21. Flood Coverage: Coverage that protects against trip cancellations, interruptions, or delays caused by flooding at the traveler's destination or departure location. This can include reimbursement for non-refundable trip costs and additional expenses incurred due to the flood.
22. Fly-Up Coverage: Coverage that allows travelers to upgrade their class of service, such as from economy to business class, if their original flight is disrupted due to a covered event. This coverage helps mitigate the inconvenience of flight delays or cancellations.
23. Follow-Up Care: Medical care or treatment that is needed after the initial emergency treatment for an illness or injury sustained while traveling. Some travel insurance policies provide coverage for follow-up care, either during the trip or upon returning home.
24. Foreign Medical Assistance: Assistance provided to travelers who require medical treatment while abroad. This can include help with finding local doctors, arranging medical transport, translating medical information, and navigating foreign healthcare systems.
25. Foreign Travel Advisory: Official warnings or advisories issued by governments regarding travel to specific countries or regions. Travel insurance policies may have specific provisions or exclusions based on these advisories. It's important to check travel advisories when planning a trip and purchasing insurance.
26. Fraudulent Claims: Claims made by a policyholder that are intentionally false or exaggerated to receive benefits from a travel insurance policy. Submitting fraudulent claims is illegal and can result in denial of coverage, cancellation of the policy, and legal consequences.
27. Free Policy Extension: A benefit that extends the coverage period of a travel insurance policy without additional cost if the traveler’s return is delayed due to a covered event, such as a medical emergency or travel delay. This ensures continuous coverage until the traveler can return home.
28. Friendly Fraud: A type of fraud where a policyholder knowingly submits a false claim, often with the belief that the insurance company will not verify the details thoroughly. This can include claiming for non-existent losses or exaggerating the extent of a legitimate loss.
29. Full Refund Guarantee: A policy feature that promises a full refund of the premium if the traveler cancels the policy within a specified time frame, typically during the free look period. This allows travelers to review their coverage and ensure it meets their needs without financial risk.
30. Funeral Expense Coverage: Coverage that provides benefits to cover the costs of a funeral, burial, or cremation if a traveler dies while on a trip. This can help relieve the financial burden on the deceased's family during a difficult time.
    
31. Future Travel Vouchers: Vouchers issued by travel suppliers for future travel instead of providing a cash refund for canceled trips. Travel insurance policies may have specific provisions regarding the use or reimbursement of future travel vouchers in the event of a covered cancellation or interruption.
32. Furlough Protection: Coverage that provides benefits if a traveler is laid off or furloughed from their job prior to their trip, leading to the cancellation or rescheduling of travel plans. This can include reimbursement for non-refundable trip costs.
33. Future Cruise Credit (FCC): Credits issued by cruise lines to passengers whose cruises have been cancelled, often due to events like natural disasters or pandemics. Travel insurance policies may have provisions regarding the use or reimbursement of these credits.
34. Family Travel Coverage: Coverage designed specifically for families, which often includes benefits such as free coverage for children under a certain age, family reunion benefits, and coverage for family-related cancellations (e.g., if a child falls ill).
35. Foreign Legal Assistance: Support and guidance provided to travelers who require legal assistance while abroad. This can include help with finding a local attorney, understanding local laws, and handling legal issues that may arise during travel.
36. Full Protection: A comprehensive travel insurance plan that includes a wide range of coverages such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, baggage loss, and travel delays. Full protection plans offer extensive benefits to cover various travel-related risks.
37. Flight Accident Coverage: Coverage that provides benefits in the event of an accidental injury or death that occurs while traveling on a commercial airline. This is often offered as a separate policy or rider to a standard travel insurance plan.
38. Flexible Dates Coverage: A feature in some travel insurance policies that allows travelers to change their travel dates without losing coverage or incurring additional fees, provided the changes are made within a certain time frame before the trip.
39. Flight Cancellation Insurance: A type of travel insurance that specifically covers financial losses due to the cancellation of flights. This can include reimbursement for non-refundable airfare, rebooking fees, and additional expenses incurred due to the flight cancellation.
40. Flight Delay Coverage: Coverage that provides benefits if a flight is delayed for a specified number of hours due to reasons such as weather, mechanical issues, or air traffic control delays. This can include reimbursement for meals, accommodation, and other necessary expenses incurred during the delay.
41. Funeral Escort Coverage: Coverage that provides benefits to pay for the travel expenses of a family member or designated individual to accompany the remains of a deceased traveler back to their home country. This ensures that loved ones can be with the deceased during transport.
42. Foreign Medical Expense Coverage: Coverage for medical expenses incurred while traveling outside of the traveler’s home country. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, and emergency medical treatments. This is particularly important for international travelers whose domestic health insurance may not cover foreign medical expenses.
43. Food Poisoning Coverage: Coverage that provides benefits for medical expenses and other related costs if a traveler contracts food poisoning while on a trip. This can include hospitalization, medication, and follow-up care necessary to recover from the illness.
44. Foreign Language Assistance: A service provided by some travel insurance policies that offers translation assistance to travelers who need help communicating in a foreign language, especially in medical or emergency situations.
45. Flight Itinerary Change Coverage: Coverage that provides benefits if a flight itinerary changes due to reasons such as airline schedule changes, cancellations, or overbooking. This can include reimbursement for rebooking fees and additional expenses incurred due to the change in itinerary.