FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Supplemental Insurance Coverage
Who is eligible to purchase an iNext card?
Any individual 13 years of age and older who is currently residing in the United States may obtain an iNext travel insurance card.
What is supplemental insurance coverage and how does it work?
Like all travel insurance policies, the coverage provided by iNext is secondary to any other coverage that you may have. In other words, if you are covered by another insurance policy — whether personal, parental, or through your university or school — then that policy is your primary policy. Prior to departure, you should contact your primary insurance carrier concerning coverage to determine what, if any, accidents or illnesses may be covered overseas.
In the event that you must file a claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred while you are abroad, please note that you must first file a claim with your primary insurance carrier first to determine, what, if any, portion of those medical expenses are reimbursable through your primary policy. Subsequently, you should file a claim with Travel Guard for any amount that was not covered by your primary insurance.
IMPORTANT
While abroad, you should have your primary insurance carrier and policy information readily available. During the claims process, you will be asked to submit the following:
- Name of primary insurance carrier
- Complete street address and telephone number of primary insurance carrier
- Policy ID #, Member #, Group # as applicable) of primary insurance policy
Who is the provider of the iNext supplemental travel insurance plans?
The iNext supplemental travel insurance plans are provided under the group sickness, accident, and travel insurance policy maintained by CIEE: The Council on International Educational Exchange and is administered through Travel Guard / Chartis, the industry’s leading provider of travel insurance plans. Insurance is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA, a Pennsylvania insurance company, with its principal place of business at 175 Water Street, New York, NY 10038 and currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. NAIC No. 19445.
How long am I covered by my iNext travel insurance plan?
You are covered for 365 days from the start date of your policy — regardless of the length of your trip abroad — but only outside of the United States (and/or home country). Please note that your insurance effective dates are clearly indicated on the front of your iNext card.
Where in the world am I covered under my iNext travel insurance plan?
Your insurance coverage is valid in any country outside of the 50 United States and District of
Columbia.
What are the policy exclusions?
iNext supplemental policies do not include coverage for the following:
- Pre-existing conditions: Any condition identified or treated within the 90 day period preceding your insurance effective date. Please note that the look back period for pre-existing conditions is 60 days for the Premium Plus and Platinum Plus plans.
- Treatment of mental, psychological, or nervous disorders except on the Platinum and Platinum Plus plans which include Mental Health coverage. Please note that the pre-existing condition exclusion does apply for the mental health benefit.
- Routine physicals
- Routine dental examinations and cleanings
- Preventative medicine
- A complete list of exclusions can be found in each individual policy description
Is pre-approval required before receiving medical treatment?
No. You do not need to contact Travel Guard prior to receiving any medical treatment aside from hospitalization or scheduled surgery. Treatment by any licensed doctor or medical facility should be covered if your primary insurance does not cover the treatment. You should simply go to any doctor of your choice, obtain any prescription medication needed, pay the doctor, and then submit a claim for reimbursement. The customary procedure is thus to pay first and then submit claim for reimbursement.
Is pre-approval required for scheduled surgery or hospitalization?
You must call Travel Guard before being admitted to a hospital for scheduled surgery unless it is a medical emergency and a call is not possible. The Travel Guard emergency medical team is available 24/7 and may be able to arrange for direct payment with the hospital or coordinate payment guarantees for serious and expensive medical cases. Please understand that direct payment is not guaranteed as each claim is handled on a case by case basis.
How do I file a claim?
You should telephone Travel Guard as soon as possible after receiving treatment or suffering a loss to initiate the claims process. When calling, you should have the following information available:
- Policy Number (listed on the back of the iNext Travel Card) for Basic, Premium, Premium Plus, Platinum or Platinum Plus
- What coverage type or benefit category the claim is under (e.g. Medical Expense, Baggage Loss, etc.)
- The date the covered treatment or loss occurred
- The amount that was paid (if applicable)
During the phone call, a claim form will be completed by the Travel Guard representative based on the your responses. The completed form will be mailed or faxed to you or to a designated recipient in the U.S. (e.g., a parent or family member). Upon receipt or upon return to the U.S., you should review the claim form for accuracy, sign the form, and return it to Travel Guard along with any requested supporting documentation, such as original receipts, diagnosis, proof of travel (e.g., a copy of a flight itinerary), and primary insurance information.
It is important to remember to keep your receipts from doctor’s visits, pharmacy prescriptions and diagnosis records. These will be required by Travel Guard when you file a claim. All diagnosis forms should be translated into English if possible. One reason claims processing can be prolonged is due to lack of documentation. The better prepared you are, the faster the claims processing can occur.
Who do I call for help in the event of an emergency?
Travel Guard is available 24/7 and can be reached at the following numbers for assistance with emergencies and to file a claim:
- Phone Number toll free inside the U.S.: +1.866.385.4839
- Phone Number collect/toll free outside the U.S.: +1.715.295.5452
Travel Guard Group Address:
Travel Guard Group
3300 Business Park Drive
Stevens Point, WI 54482
United States
What is trip cancellation and interruption coverage?
Trip Cancellation and Interruption pays for forfeited, non-refundable, unused payments or deposits if due to:
- Unforeseen sickness, injury, or death of the Insured, a Traveling Companion, Immediate Family Member, or Business Partner.
- The insured’s primary residence being made uninhabitable by natural disaster, vandalism, or burglary;
- The insured(s) being subpoenaed, required to serve on jury duty, hijacked, or quarantined.
- Being involved in or delayed due to an automobile accident en route to destination
- Inclement weather causing delay or cancellation of travel
- Strike resulting in complete cessation of travel services at the point of departure or destination
Trip Cancellation and Interruption does not cover:
- Carrier-caused delays such as mechanical difficulties (covered under Travel Delay).
- Travel arrangements cancelled by the tour operator.
- Change in plans ("I just don’t want to go.").
- Normal pregnancy or childbirth.
- Financial circumstances ("I can’t afford to go.").
- Any government regulation or prohibition, war, civil disorder.
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