Travel insurance is one of the most important things you’ll buy for your trip — no matter how long you are going away for. It is a must-have and I never leave home without it.

Buying travel insurance is a must. But since it is a confusing topic (try reading New York insurance law for fun. I did. It’s not fun), today I want to answer the common questions about travel insurance. These questions pop up in my inbox all the time and are the greatest points of confusion on the subject.

1. What is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance provides support, compensation, and medical care when things go wrong on the road. Depending on your policy, it could provide support and compensation if your luggage is lost, if you slip and break a bone hiking, or if you need to return home early due to a death in the family.

It’s a financial safety net for emergencies while you’re abroad

Contrary to popular belief, travel insurance is not a substitute for health insurance in your home country — nor is it a license to be foolish! It’s your emergency parachute should something terrible happen while you’re traveling.

2. Is Travel Insurance Just Health Insurance?

No, it’s so much more than that. While there is a medical component for sudden illnesses and accidental injuries, it can also cover all sorts of additional incidents, such as:

• Trip cancelation
• Lost/Damaged/Stolen possessions
• Emergency evacuation
• Expatriation should there be a natural disaster
• Trip interruption

Travel insurance is for all-around emergencies, not just medical ones.

3. Is Travel Insurance Similar to Health Insurance? I Can Go See a Doctor When I Want?

Travel insurance is not a replacement for health insurance. It’s there for unexpected emergencies only, not regular checkups. And should you need to be sent home due to a health emergency, it will be your regular health coverage that kicks in once you’re back in your home country.

For that reason, you’ll need to make sure you have both travel insurance (for when you’re abroad) and regular health coverage (in case you get sent home with an injury)

Break a leg? Pop an eardrum? Get food poisoning or dengue? Travel insurance has you covered.

Want to go see a doctor for a physical or get a cavity filled? You’re on your own.

4. Can I Get Treated for an Illness I Already Have?

As a general rule, most travel insurance plans don’t cover pre-existing conditions. If you get sick on the road, travel insurance is there for you. But if you need medication for an ongoing chronic disease or a medical condition you knew of before you bought the policy, you could be out of luck.

Moreover, if you get sick under one policy and then you extend it or start a new policy, most insurers will consider your illness a pre-existing condition and won’t cover it under your new policy.

In short, pre-existing conditions are generally not covered unless you find a specific plan that provides coverage for them.

5. My Credit Card Offers Some Protection. Isn’t That Good Enough?

Travel credit cards, even the very best ones, offer only limited protection. Some cards offer coverage for lost or stolen items, medical expenses, and trip cancellation — but only if you booked your trip with that specific card.

In my experience (and I’ve had dozens of travel credit cards over the years) even if your card covers some things, that coverage limit is often very low. That means you’ll have to pay the difference out of pocket (and you’ll be surprised at just how expensive that can be!).

Bottom line: don’t rely on credit card coverage. While it’s nice to have its protection as a backup, I wouldn’t (and don’t) rely on credit cards for my primary coverage when abroad. It’s not a smart choice.

6. How Does Insurance Actually Work? Do They Mail Me a Card I Can Show the Doctor?

If you experience a major medical emergency that requires surgery, overnight hospitalization, or emergency repatriation, then you (or someone else) would contact your travel insurance company’s emergency assistance team. They can then help make arrangements and approve costs. Every insurance company has a 24-hour contact number you can call for emergencies. I always suggest travelers save this number in their phone before departure just to be safe.

For all other situations, you need to pay for the costs upfront, collect receipts, and then make a claim for reimbursement from your insurer. You’ll pay out of pocket and then submit documentation to the insurance company after the fact (so there’s no need to show a card to the doctor).

Be sure to keep all documentation, file any necessary police reports, and save all receipts. Companies don’t reimburse you based on your word. Keep documentation!

7. What About Obamacare? How Does That Affect Everything?

For Americans, the ACA, or “Obamacare,” covers you only in the United States, and since travel insurance is not a replacement for health insurance, it doesn’t get you out of its requirements.

But if you are away from the United States for 330 days or more, you don’t need to get US-based health insurance. You also get a three-month grace period each year before you get charged a penalty. Be sure to contact a tax accountant or the ACA hotline number for more information.

Just keep in mind that, if you need to be sent home due to an injury, travel insurance will not cover your bills upon arrival back to your country of residency.

8. I Read Reviews Online. All These Companies Suck. What’s Up With That?

I’ve talked with hundreds of travelers over the years about insurance and received thousands of emails from people who have had insurance issues. While there are some legitimate concerns, the overwhelming majority of people I interact with haven’t read the fine print of their policy.

People buy a plan, don’t read the exact wording, and then make (incorrect) assumptions about their coverage.

Naturally, they scream bloody murder when their assumptions don’t match up with reality and go on a digital tirade, leaving bad review after bad review.

And, to be honest, most people don’t write good reviews when they are helped. On the Internet, we love to scream our displeasure but rarely do we go out of our way to leave a positive review of something.

So take online reviews of insurance companies with a grain of salt. I’ve read them and most of the time, I think, “You didn’t read your policy!”

I’m by no means an insurance company defender, but if you’re going in with no documentation, no proof you owned what you lost, or you want to make a claim for something that is specifically excluded on the policy, you should expect to get denied.

Is the reimbursement process fun? No. It’s a lot of paperwork and back and forth emails with the insurer. But when you have all your ducks in a row, you get reimbursed.

9. I Got Drunk and Hurt Myself. Will I Be Covered?

Probably not! If you are doing something foolish (whether you’re drinking or not), insurance companies will want to know if putting yourself at unnecessary risk led to the injury. If, after investigating, they find you did, they can deny your claim. That’s not to say that they expect you to be sober your entire trip, but let’s just say you’re unlikely to get reimbursed if you’re drunk and decide that it would be a good idea to stand in the middle of the road and play chicken.

So, don’t be foolish!

10. Does Travel Insurance Cover Me in My Home Country?

Some travel insurance can cover you at home. For example, World Nomads travel insurance covers you either 100 miles from your permanent address (for U.S. residents), outside your home province (if you’re Canadian), or outside your home country (for everyone else).

It depends on your policy, and there are always conditions on when the coverage starts and ends and where you can travel to, so check this carefully first. Some companies let you be in your home country for a short period, others won’t cover you at all. So read the fine print!

11. I’m a Senior. What Should I Do?

Insurance companies don’t like covering seniors as they view them as high risk. Therefore, it’s a lot harder for older travelers to find comprehensive coverage. For seniors, try Insure My Trip. They usually have options for travelers in the 60s and 70s. Start your search there.

12. Will Travel Insurance Send Me Home If I Get Injured or Sick?

Under most circumstances, travel insurance will not repatriate you to your home country. In a nutshell, travel insurance is there to make sure you get the medical assistance you need should an emergency arise. Usually, that means sending you to the nearest acceptable facility — they don’t have to send you home.

So, if you break your leg hiking you’ll be taken to the nearest suitable facility and patched up. After that, the onus is on you to get home. Your policy will likely reimburse you for any part of your trip that you cancel due to your injury but it won’t pay for you to go home early (unless you have a life-threatening injury that requires advanced medical care).

If you feel this isn’t enough coverage and want additional medical transport and repatriation coverage, use a service like Medjet. They’re a membership program with affordable annual (and short-term) policies that include medical transport coverage that’s more comprehensive than what you’d find in your average travel insurance policy.

13. What About COVID-19 and Other Pandemics?

As many found out the hard way, travel insurance does not cover pandemics. While some companies have been making changes to their pandemic coverage (such as World Nomads, SafetyWing, and Medjet), many companies still don’t cover COVID/pandemics.

Be sure you understand exactly what COVID/pandemic coverage is offered before you book. Specifically, you’ll want to know whether you’re covered only for medical issues or if you have cancellation/trip interruption coverage as well.

Don’t Steal

When people think of candid photos, often the idea is that you have to steal your shots; that you have to somehow catch your subject off-guard in order for the photo to be truly candid. In essence you’re taking a photo without permission, whether your subjects like it or not.

This is not how a well-meaning and disciplined photographer behaves.

Stealing is the act of thieves. And we’re not thieves, are we? Instead, let your intentions be known.

Don’t hide your camera. Don’t shoot from a hidden position. When you allow your subjects the opportunity to acknowledge your presence and become comfortable around you, they’ll unconsciously let you into their world more openly which is the whole point of candid photos.

You want your subjects to show you who they are and what they are about. Those truly open and honest moments are what you’re really after. When you steal a shot, people will often feel violated and trying to steal another one will prove much more difficult the second time around.

Be Patient

When it comes to candid shots, waiting for the right moment is better than just shooting with reckless abandon hoping to get a decent candid photo. The aim is to let your subjects be comfortable enough around your camera that they forget (or stop minding) it’s even there. This won’t happen in an instant.

Instead, wait for your surroundings to settle into a rhythm before you even start pressing away at your shutter release. Let people talk and act casually. Let them go about their business.

In other words, just wait for things to happen naturally. It may take some time before things get into a rhythm but it will get there. That’s when you bring your viewfinder to your eye.

Observe

Slow down and watch your subjects. Candid photos of people are meant to convey a certain emotion or feeling or a story. You won’t be able to capture those truly candid moments when you don’t know or understand what those moments are really about.

Observe and examine your subjects the same way an anthropologist would. What is it specifically that you want to capture about them? What opportunities do you see for capturing a candid moment?

What movements are you looking for? What lighting conditions do you want to capture? What behaviors are unique and worthy of a photo?

These are all questions you answer through observation and understanding your subjects. Being observant also clues you into how you’re supposed to expose and compose your shot.

Blend In

While I did mention that you shouldn’t hide your intentions while taking photographs of people, I will also say that it helps when you make an effort to blend in with your surroundings. In other words, you have to stop acting like a photographer.

This means not having 3 cameras strapped to your shoulders.

This means not wearing a National Geographic vest full of your gear. This means walking around and watching and observing your subjects instead of directing and corralling them into your frame. Let your camera hang to your side and only bring it up to your eye when you see something worthy of a photo.

You’re not exactly hiding your intentions, you’re just not broadcasting to the world that you’re there to take candid photos of everyone.

Just Shoot

Candid photography aims to capture moments of people’s honesty and lack of pretense. There are no poses, no forced smiles, and no elaborate lighting set ups. The point is to capture unscripted and unexpected moments with your camera.

And the only way to really do that is to just shoot. Follow your instincts and let them guide you. Don’t over-think it.

If you see something, just shoot. If you don’t, that’s OK too.

Travel destinations in Mexico pack a punch when it comes to discovery; the Yucatan Peninsula’s miles of coast and Mayan ruins, Baja’s marine reserves, Oaxaca’s culture, the rainforests of Chiapas, and the stunning scenery of Copper Canyon gives travelers plenty of options for their time away from home.

Yucatan Peninsula
The sweeping beaches, welcoming clear waters, exotic islands, colonial cities, and Mayan ruins of the Yucatan Peninsula welcome those seeking relaxed adventures from all over the world every year.

Mérida
Built on top of a Mayan city after the Spanish conquest, Merida is the capital of the Yucatan region of Mexico where the different people and cultures of the region come together. Colonial churches, plazas, and bustling markets dot the city, while restaurants serve a sampling of Mayan fusion dishes that make spending an afternoon or evening here a pleasure.

Chichén Itzá and Coba
Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city and was once a thriving center of activity for the Yucatan region. The complex’s centerpiece is the Temple of Kukulkan, a pyramid with 365 steps on four sides that is a brilliant example of the Mayan people’s calendar and their ability to predict events like eclipses. The site is still an active archeological dig and new discoveries are made each year that give new insights into the age-old culture.

Coba is located between two lakes and was once the seat of power in the region before the rival people of Chichen Itza defeated it. Today it is overgrown with forests between pyramids and mounds that have been untouched since the city was abandoned in 1550 with the arrival of the Spanish.

Tulum Maya Ruins
A walled city and fortress high on a cliff above the Caribbean Sea, Tulum was a Mayan seaport for ships returning from other parts of the continent. Inside the walls are remains of temples and pyramids as well as mounds that have yet to reveal their secrets about the people and culture from this region.

Sian Ka’an
With a staggering variety of flora and fauna within tropical rainforests, mangroves, and marine areas, Mexico’s 1.3 million acres protected reserve is a natural paradise. Touring the waterways brings discoveries of the many creatures that call this area home, including spider monkeys and over three hundred species of birds.

Chiapas
The Chiapas region of Mexico envelops coastal lowlands, mountain highlands, and fertile rainforests that hide ancient Maya ruins.

Lacandona Rainforest
The Lacandona Rainforest is an area with over 100 million acres of forest; it is one of the last remaining protected rainforests in the country. Those who venture here have the chance to stop at far off waterfalls and hike under the jungle canopy in search of eagles, red macaws, and monkeys while learning about the indigenous people that call the area home.

Montebello Lakes
The Montebello Lakes in the south of Mexico on the border of Guatemala is a chain of 50 bodies of water surrounded by pine forests that draw hikers from colder climates in search of natural adventures.

Yaxchilan Mayan Ruins
The Yaxchilan ruins on the shores of the Usumacinta River in the Chiapas region were once a bustling Mayan city with a central temple complex, ball courts, and palaces. The site features relief carvings depicting life in the city throughout the grounds that have given scholars a new perspective about life during Mayan times.

Baja
The Baja peninsula is the second-longest peninsula in the world and home to pristine national parks, uninhabited islands, and sun-swept beaches where surfing, snorkeling, and relaxing are a welcome relief during the chill of winter.

Isla Espiritu Santo
Ilsa Espiritu Santo is a UNESCO world heritage site that is often said to be the most beautiful in the Sea of Cortez. Uninhabited, there are many bays and beaches where snorkeling, swimming, and diving are favored activities, as is hiking on trails that explore the inland of the island.

Isla San Francisco
Another uninhabited island where active endeavors in nature take center stage- Isla San Francisco brings people to the Sea of Cortez for kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking.

Cabo Pulmo National Park
Amid mountains, a desert, and the sea, Cabo Pulmo National Park is a 17,571-acre marine park where whale sharks, dolphins, humpback whales, and tortoises are just a few of the creatures that are often seen in the clear waters.

Oaxaca
Oaxaca’s mountains, culture, art, and food stands out for those who travel here. Tours give insight into the people and culture of the present while exploring ancient religious and political ruins reveals the depth of history of the region.

Oaxaca City
Built by the Spanish in 1529, Oaxaca City is a one-of-a-kind city with colonial buildings, grand plazas, a thriving culture, and some of the best food in the country.

Monte Alban and Mitla
Mitla and Monte Alban in the Oaxaca Valley are two important Zapotec sites- Mitla being a major religious center and Monte Alban being a political seat. Located on the valley floor, Malta’s elaborate stonework differs from the other sites from the same period in the region, while the grandeur of the site is modest when compared to the Monte Alban.

Sitting high up on a cliff overlooking Oaxaca City, the valley below and mountains in the distance, Monte Alban has been inhabited for over a thousand years by a succession of people. Today, temples, terraces, a ball court, an observatory, and palaces remain as reminders of the glory of the former capital.

Oaxacan Artisan Villages
The culture of Oaxaca and its artisans go hand in hand, each small village produces a specialty; from pottery, to brightly colored wooden animals, to textiles with intricate designs. Traditional methods are still employed using techniques that go back before the Mayan people.

Copper Canyon
Copper Canyon in the north-central Sierra Tarahumara Mountains is a series of gorges, which when combined, are larger than the Grand Canyon. Hiking treks, ziplining adventures, and train rides through the region reveal the beauty of the area: ripe with scenic vistas, small villages, and waterfalls that are picturesq.

The fashion industry is rife with a ton of misconceptions which a lot of people tend to believe. Here are some quite well-known misconceptions:

Misconception 1. The direct relationship between price and quality Huge numbers of us adore acquiring brands since they look cool and are said to be of incredible quality. All things considered, yes and no. Brands positively have a particular spot for themselves since they have notoriety and altruism to keep up. Be that as it may, this does not mean they are constantly 100 percent top quality. Additionally, numerous individuals accept that the pricier the brand the better the quality we get, which is absolutely not the case.

Misconception 2. It’s just women in the fashion industry- Whenever the words ‘fashion model’ is uttered, one tends to imagine models on a ramp, and almost always imagines that model to be a woman. The facts confirm that many accept that the fashion industry is dominated by women models and creators. While the fact that there are progressively female planners and models in the business than male architects and models, yet this does not make the business unacceptable for the last mentioned.

Misconception 3. Every male designer is either gay or transgendered This is probably the worst misconception one can ever harbor about the fashion industry. Just because a person is fashion-savvy, people automatically assume that they are either gay or transgendered. They are all talented individuals working hard to improve the fashion situation of the world and assuming their sexual orientation just on the basis of their career is just plain rude.

Misconception 4. “Bizarre sense of fashion? Surely belongs to a fashion show!” Designers regularly think of mysterious structures, however, those plans consistently have a reason to serve. Truly, here and there planners do go over the edge with their imagination, however, that does not occur with no specific situation.

Misconception 5. Considering fashion as a poor career choice In numerous nations where regular vocation alternatives, for example, building or drug are well known, style structuring is frequently looked downward on which is a shame, since the fashion industry is one of the most prominent and prospective of all industries.