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Claiming Travel Expenses from the Legal Aid Agency

The Legal Aid Agency recently issued an update in respect of travel expenses and there are some important points to bear in mind when submitting your claims for payment.

http://www.justice.gov.uk/legal-aid/newslatest-updates/civil-news/submitting-travel-claims

Part of this update dealt with the idea of local travel expenses. It stated ‘Travel expenses are only normally claimable where the travel is in excess of 10 miles each way’. The Costs Assessment Guidance deals with travel expenses at 3.11-3.17 and the above statement is linked to the following paragraph:

3.15 Paragraph 5.22(3) of the Practice Direction to Rule 47.6 CPR (Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2013) states that local travelling expenses incurred by providers will not be allowed on assessment. What is ‘local’ will be a matter in the discretion of the court dealing with the case at the relevant time, but as a general rule, will be taken to mean within a radius of 10 miles from that court. However, courts will generally take a flexible approach and may allow travel expenses where local public transport is known to be poor. Any claim for travel expenses within this 10 miles radius should be supported by a file note giving the particular reasons for the claim. Where justifiable under paragraph 3.14 above, the costs of taxi travel are claimable within the 10 mile radius.

This is of course nothing new, however by specifically drawing attention to the guidance we felt that it may signal the start of a more strict application of this section. Since this update was posted we have become aware of some instances where travelling expenses have been automatically removed upon assessment when the journey has been less than 10 miles each way. We will continue to monitor the position however we would recommend that justification is added to the file note for all mileage claims of 20 miles or less.

Unfortunately it doesn’t end there. The LAA also stated in the same update that when assessing mileage claims they use the Court Finder website and justification must be provided for any discrepancy between the mileage claimed and the figure on the website. If you go onto the court finder website and enter the postcode of your office it will then list the nearest Courts and the distance in miles. One thing to watch out for though is that the site takes the distance ‘as the crow flies’ rather than by the shortest available route by road and therefore there will always be a discrepancy. We are led to believe that caseworkers are also encouraged to check the distance using a route planner where there is a discrepancy however you may wish to pre-empt the issue in either the claim form or on the file note and be ready to challenge any reductions made on assessment!

https://courttribunalfinder.service.gov.uk/

Date Published

Wednesday 2nd April 2014

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The Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013

Previous: Signature
Next: Explanatory Note

Regulations 6, 8(3) and 9(2)

Interpretation

1. —(1) Unless different provision is made, words and expressions used in this Schedule have the same meaning as in the relevant contract.

(2) In this Schedule, “Mental Health Proceedings” means proceedings or potential proceedings before the First-tier Tribunal or the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales under any provision of the Mental Health Act 1983( 1 ) or paragraph 5(2) of the Schedule to the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984( 2 ).

(3) In Part 3 of this Schedule (Hourly Rates – Licensed Work) “Higher Courts” means as appropriate the Court of Protection, the Crown Court, the Employment Appeal Tribunal, the Upper Tribunal, the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

PART 1 Civil Standard and Graduated Fees

Legal help and help at court.

2. The fees in Table 1 for Housing do not apply to the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme. The fees for that Scheme are contained in Table 6 in this Part.

3. In Table 1, “consumer general contract”, “employment” and “personal injury” have the same meanings as in the category definitions of the 2010 Standard Civil Contract in force on 31 st March 2013( 3 ).

Table 2(a): Legal help

Family public law, table 2(b): family help (lower) - section 31 children act 1989 care or supervision proceedings only, table 2(c): legal representation – section 31 children act 1989 care or supervision proceedings only, table 3(a): legal help, family private law, table 3(b): legal help – divorce petition only, table 3(c): family help (lower) - children, table 3(d): family help (lower) - finance, table 3(e): help with family mediation, table 3(f): higher standard fee scheme - children, table 3(g): higher standard fee scheme - finance, table 3(h): higher standard fee scheme – domestic abuse proceedings, table 4(a): immigration and asylum standard fees, immigration and asylum, table 4(b): additional payment – ukba interview, table 4(c): additional payments for advocacy services, table 4(d): immigration removal centres standard fees (for exclusive schedule holders only), table 5(a): basic fees, mental health, table 5(b): additional fees, table 6: standard fee, housing possession court duty scheme, part 2 hourly rates – controlled work, table 7(a): immigration and asylum escape fee cases, mental health, actions against the police, public law, education and community care, legal help, help at court and family help (lower), table 7(b): family and housing (except as in table 7(c)) and miscellaneous (employment), table 7(c): legal help or help at court provided in relation to a review under section 202 of the housing act 1996 and to a defendant to a possession claim in the county court, family help (lower) and related legal help in relation to section 31 of the children act 1989, table 7(d): immigration and asylum hourly rates cases, table 7(e): all other categories, table 8(a): immigration and asylum – escape fee cases, controlled legal representation, table 8(b): immigration and asylum chamber of the upper tribunal cases where permission granted to client (non fast track), table 8(c): immigration and asylum – other hourly rates cases, table 8(d): representation in mental health proceedings, part 3 hourly rates – licensed work, table 9(a): proceedings under parts iv or v of the children act 1989, including proceedings under section 25 of that act, family prescribed rates, table 9(b): other family proceedings, table 10(a): higher courts, county courts and magistrates’ courts for work carried out with schedule authorisation, non family prescribed rates, table 10(b): higher courts, county courts and magistrates’ courts for work not carried out with schedule authorisation, table 10(c): first-tier tribunal, part 4 family mediation fees, table 11(a): assessment meetings, table 11(b): mediation fees.

Regulation 7

SCHEDULE 2 Remuneration of barristers in independent practice in relation to work that is not Controlled Work, advocacy services in family proceedings or other legal services in relation to inquests

Regulation 8(2)

SCHEDULE 3 Family Advocacy Scheme: Fees and Rates

1. Unless different provision is made, words and expressions used in this Schedule have the same meaning as in the relevant contract.

PART 1 Public Law Advocacy Fees

Table 1(a): care or supervision proceedings under section 31 of the children act 1989 – graduated fees, table 1(b): other public law case – graduated fees, table 1(c): public law – bolt-on fees, table 1(d): public law – bolt-on fee – court bundle payments, part 2 private law advocacy fees, table 2(a): private law children – graduated fees, table 2(b): domestic abuse – graduated fees, table 2(c): private law finance – graduated fees, table 2(d): private law – bolt-on fees, table 2(e): private law children and finance – bolt on fees – court bundle payment.

Regulation 9(3) and (4)

SCHEDULE 4 Inquests

1. —(1) Unless different provision is made, words and expressions used in this Schedule have the same meaning as in the relevant contact.

(2) In this Schedule, “Senior Solicitor” means a solicitor with over eight years’ qualified experience.

Table 1: Provider Hourly Rates

Table 2: barrister rates.

Regulation 10

SCHEDULE 5 Experts’ fees and rates

1. Subject to paragraph 2, where the expert service is of a type listed in the Table, the Lord Chancellor must pay remuneration to the provider for the expert service at the fixed fees or at rates not exceeding the rates set out in the Table.

Exceptional circumstances

2. —(1) The Lord Chancellor may increase the fixed fees or rates set out in the Table after paragraph 1 if the Lord Chancellor considers it reasonable to do so due to exceptional circumstances.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1), “exceptional circumstances” mean that the expert’s evidence is key to the client’s case and either—

(a) the complexity of the material is such that an expert with a high level of seniority is required; or

(b) the material is of such a specialised and unusual nature that only very few experts are available to provide the necessary evidence.

Payment of expert services of a type not listed in the Table after Part 1

3. Where the expert service is of a type not listed in the Table after paragraph 1, in considering the rate at which to fund the expert service the Lord Chancellor—

(a) must have regard to the rates set out in the Table after paragraph 1; and

(b) may require a number of quotes for provision of the service to be submitted to the Lord Chancellor.

General provisions relating to experts

4. —(1) The costs and expenses relating to experts listed at sub-paragraph (2) are not payable by the Lord Chancellor.

(2) The costs and expenses are—

(a) any administration fee charged by an expert, including (but not limited to)—

(i) a fee in respect of office space or provision of a consultation room;

(ii) a fee in respect of administrative support services, such as typing services;

(iii) a fee in respect of courier services;

(iv) a subsistence fee; and

(b) any cancellation fee charged by an expert, where the notice of cancellation was given to the expert more than 72 hours before the relevant hearing or appointment.

5. The maximum amount that the Lord Chancellor may pay as a disbursement in respect of an expert’s vehicle mileage is £0.45 per mile.

6. The maximum amount that the Lord Chancellor may pay as a disbursement in respect of an expert’s travel time is £40 per hour.

1983 c. 20 .

1984 c. 47 .

The contract is available at www.justice.gov.uk/legal-aid . Copies can be inspected at the Legal Aid Agency (Head Office) at 102 Petty France, London SW1H 9AJ.

https://www.slab.org.uk/guidance/fees-chargeable-for-travel/

Children's Guidance

Fees chargeable for travel

Page contents:

Ensuring fees for travel are necessary and reasonable

Travelling to meet the client, consecutive days’ travel, travel to your local court, travel outwith normal working hours, travel from home, place of business, apportionment of travel, providing additional advice to the same client at destination, providing additional advice to another client at destination, multiple destinations.

Fees chargeable for time spent travelling are based on the status of the person and the date of the travel.

Travel is prescribed under paragraph 5A of Schedule 5 of The Civil Legal Aid (Scotland) (Fees) Regulations 1989 or paragraph 4A of Part 1, Schedule 3 as amended by the Legal Aid and Advice and Assistance (Solicitors’ Travel Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2011.

We must ensure that all work claimed is actually, necessarily and reasonably done for conducting the proceedings in a proper manner, as between solicitor and client, third party paying.

When necessary travel is undertaken, we would accordingly expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have:

While the cost of a train or air fare may be cheaper than the corresponding mileage charge, when factoring in the time spent in travelling it may be more cost effective for you to drive.
Plan travel as far in advance as possible to ensure you are not travelling to the same destination over consecutive days.
Combine journeys wherever possible.
Attend more than one client at different destinations when possible.
Plan the journey using the most efficient route, avoiding doubling back.
Ensure that the same solicitor, or unqualified person to whom work is delegated, has attended on the client or clients (and, where work is undertaken by a firm over a wide area, the same solicitor should be delegated to undertake work in a particular area to avoid or at least reduce duplication of costs).
Share the car journey when appropriate.
Avoid peak time travel where possible.
Arrange appointments in advance of attending.

Charges for travel shall always include start and finish times.

Providing the postcodes of the departure point and destination helps us assess your account more quickly. We routinely check distance and duration of travel using route planners and will restrict claims that exceed the recommended duration or distance, unless you explain why this has been exceeded. We may also check weather and road reports.

The onus is on your client, where possible, to visit your office. Where this is not possible we can consider a reasonable time and mileage charge.

Examples which may support a charge are where your client is:

In hospital.
In a secure unit.
Unable to travel on medical grounds.
Subject to a movement restriction order.
Subject to bail conditions preventing travel.
Too young or elderly to make the journey.

Where you are attending a location on consecutive days you must consider the most economic option.

You should consider if it is more economic to:

Travel each day.
Stay overnight.

Where you choose the option with the higher overall cost, we will pay reasonable costs based on the most economic option.

We appreciate that there may be no option but to travel each day. Where you can demonstrate that this was necessary and reasonable, you will receive the full expenses. We would not consider personal circumstances as sufficient justification, unless exceptional reason can be shown.

You are not entitled to claim for time and mileage in relation to travelling to your local sheriff court.

If you offer a 24 hour helpline service to your clients, it is likely you will be carrying out work outwith normal working hours. In line with normal commercial practice, we will pay you the cost of travel either from your place of business or your home address, whichever is the shorter distance.

In line with normal commercial practice, we will pay you the cost of travel either from your place of business or your home address, whichever is the shorter distance.

Following a criminal taxation (PF -v- TV and PF v CS) heard before the Auditor of Court at Linlithgow in 1992, counsel’s note was obtained and this opined that a partner has “a place of business” while an employee of a firm has “a place of employment”.

Therefore, where a firm has multiple offices, travel undertaken by a partner should be charged from his firm’s closest “place of business”. It is not reasonable to charge travel time and costs from the more distant office when you have a functioning office located more locally, whether or not that office undertakes children’s business.

Travel necessarily undertaken by an employee is chargeable from his or her “place of employment”.

It must be clear from your accounts that travel has been properly apportioned to ensure that, for example:

One client does not subsidise another client (it is not appropriate to charge all costs against one case and nothing against the others as all costs must be apportioned equally).
There is no duplication of charging.
The correct fee is charged.

It is the overall cost of travel, not just the time involved that must be apportioned. The actual time for travel is the same for all cases, and the cost should be divided equally.

Example: How to calculate travel costs

Travelling time for a return trip for 4 clients is 30 minutes.

You should calculate the individual charge per case based on the overall cost of 30 minutes travel and divide this by 4.

It is not appropriate to divide the travel time by the number of clients and round that time up to the next minute block. Based on the above example, 7.25 minutes per file, which after being rounded up the minimum 15 minute block creates a total charge equivalent to 1 hour, against the actual time spent of 30 minutes.

The total cost of associated outlays should also be apportioned by the number of cases.

Where you travel to visit your client matter and have to give additional advice on a different matter, you should apportion the total time taken between all cases for that client.

Example: How to calculate travel costs for same client at same destination

30 minutes travel to and from (total travel time is 60 minutes)

The outward travel is chargeable solely to the matter for which you attended to provide the original advice i.e. 30 minutes; the return travel should be apportioned between both matters i.e. 15 minutes.

There can be instances when you travel to a facility only intending to see one client. While you are there, you may find that another client needs advice on another matter. In these circumstances, you should charge for travel to the facility under the original case and apportion the return travel equally between both cases.

It may not be possible to apportion matters equally where more than one destination is involved.

For example, you might be travelling from Glasgow to Edinburgh for one client, then going on to see another client in Dunfermline and then returning to Glasgow. You should consider the timings of meetings and the distance to travel before working out the most economical way. In this example, the second part of the table below shows how to attribute the cost to each case correctly.

(Outward journey allocated to appropriate case, return journey apportioned equally)

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Tel. 0870 7777 100
Email. [email protected]

Peculiar Impecunious – claiming client travel expenses from the LAA

Posted by Michelle Barron on 5th September, 2018 in Opinion and categorised in .

One of the many queries we receive from solicitors across the country is “The LAA has rejected the claim for our client's travel expenses, can it do this, can you help?”.

In response we first have to look at the rules and guidance and then appropriate case law.

Table 4.24 of the Civil Specification Contract confirms that client's travel may only be claimed (as a disbursement) in the circumstances as laid out in the Costs Assessment Guidance.

The rules for payment of funded client's travel expenses differ depending on the situation.

1) Attendance at court: The funded client's travel expenses will be paid where it is reasonable for the client to attend court. The guidance states this is as a witness of fact. The LAA expects to see justification as to why this is considered reasonable. (This also applies to third parties who are required to attend court as a witness of fact.) One way around this is to ask the court to order the parties to attend the hearings, thus justifying the necessity. Alternatively, at court the judge could be asked to include justification for the parties to be in attendance in the order.

In relation to care proceedings in the case of RE v North Yorkshire County Council and Others [2015] EWCA Civ 1169 the court recognised that the human rights of the parents are engaged, the respondents/parents must attend all hearings, for the reasons set out in paragraph 49 of the judgment of that case. Their travel expenses to and from court for hearings are necessary and reasonable disbursements on their public funding certificates in order to save both time and costs and for the court to further the overriding objective - in particular by seeking an early resolution to the proceedings.

To quote paragraph 49: "It follows that lay parties are always required to attend".

Therefore, if you apply these comments to other types of cases, it is always reasonable for a party to attend a hearing if there is a chance that there could be an early resolution to proceedings.

2) Travel to attend experts: These are paid where it is necessary for the client to attend the expert and where the client cannot afford to pay for the same (In the LAA's own words - where the client is impecunious). When considering whether these costs should be allowed the LAA also considers the distance to the expert and the cost and method of travel.

Firstly, it has to be shown that the client is impecunious (the LAA regularly refers to this when questioning the validity of a claim for client travel expenses). In all matters except non-means-tested cases the LAA has already established the client's means to enable them to be granted a certificate. In non-means-tested cases a brief description of the client's financial circumstances should be included on the evidence supporting the claim for the travel expense.

Secondly, the form of transport must be taken into account. Public transport should be used in most cases and any travel by taxi will have to be fully justified. It is also a requirement that evidence of the travel expenses is provided such as copies of bus/train tickets. It is recommended that train tickets are purchased direct, rather than giving client's money, which may be difficult to recover if the travel does not go ahead.

Lastly, has the appropriate expert been instructed to ensure the travel distance is kept to a minimum? This cannot always be attained but the reasons why should also be provided to accompany any claim for client travel expenses.

In summary, when you wish to claim for client travel expenses, make sure you:

know the guidance, rules and case law (RE v North Yorkshire County Council and Others [2015] EWCA Civ 1169), and
are able to provide the relevant justification and evidence.

This article was written by A llistair Lang who joined Jennings in 1998, having obtained a degree in mathematics and successfully completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in education. Allistair is a Costs Lawyer and has for some years played a pivotal role in Jennings’ training programme. He has considerable technical knowledge and in-depth understanding of all publicly funded matters and ensures that all personnel are aware of the latest developments in this area.

Travel Bolt On Legal Aid: Family Advocacy Scheme

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Legal Aid

Legal aid is a service financed by public funding. It facilitates legal services for individuals who have serious legal issues and cannot afford to pay the legal costs. It applies in a variety of types of cases, such as family law or criminal law matters. It may be allowed in situations where individuals are at risk of domestic violence, individuals have been accused of a crime and are facing a prison sentence or when an individual is bringing a human rights claim to the court. This list is not exhaustive and you should seek expert advice to assess whether you would be eligible for legal aid.

In some cases, legal aid will not cover all of an individual’s costs, and they may be asked to pay some of the aid back if their income changes, they receive property or damages at the end of the claim, or if they lose their case and have to pay the winning party’s legal costs.

What can be claimed under the Family Advocacy Scheme (FAS)?

The Family Advocacy Scheme is in place to provide fixed fees for payment of solicitors for private and public law advocacy.

Within Schedule 3 of The Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013, the fees and rates for advocates is specified. For example, for a care or supervision proceeding of one hour in the High Court, a fee earner would receive £114.48.

This figure accounts for payment of the work done in court, though the advocate should also consider whether they can recover their travel disbursements.

When considering travel costs, the solicitor needs to divide their travel expenses into categories. Normal travel costs are considered to be included in the FAS fee though travel mileage, travel disbursements and exceptional travel expenses can be examined separately, as they may be recoverable via bolt-on fees.

Travel Bolt On Legal Aid: Exceptional Travel Expenses

On most matters, travel expenses will be covered by the Family Advocacy Scheme. Though, Section 7.154 of the Family Standard Civil Contract 2018 highlights that travel which exceeds 25 miles each way for the advocate is exceptional. Therefore, this is not included in the fee stated in Schedule 3 of the aforementioned legislation.

Thus, an additional fee can be sought for this expense. Though it has to have been reasonable to instruct the advocate, as opposed to an advocate who was situated closer to the court.

How are Exceptional Travel Expenses recovered?

These expenses can be recovered as an additional bolt-on fee under the FAS. Bolt-on fees can be recovered for 6 types of expense, with exceptional travel being one.

At present, a solicitor cannot attempt to recover a bolt-on fee via the FAS form. Instead, they must claim the additional fee separately, or instruct a costs draftsman to assess the location of the court attended and the distance from the advocate’s office.

Travel Mileage Costs

If travel has been classified as exceptional, the solicitor can claim their mileage back. Therefore, they would have to have travelled over 25 miles in the car. The standard mileage recovery rate is 45p per mile.

To recover this expense, a solicitor would have to explicitly detail the postcode of their office and the court. Furthermore, if their petrol costs were above £20, they would need to provide a receipt for the purchase. This rule also applies to other disbursements above £20.

Travel Disbursements

Similarly to exceptional travel expenses, a solicitor can recover their travel disbursements as a travel bolt-on fee (Legal Aid). These disbursements may include bus fares or taxi fees. Though, the reasonableness test will be applied when assessing these costs as solicitors will not be allowed to have disproportionately incurred disbursements.

A further exclusion on the recovery of travel disbursements is ‘local travel’. ‘Local travel’ to visit the client is recoverable at the hourly rate for travel time. However, it is highlighted in the Practice Direction for Civil Procedure Rule 47.6 that if the solicitor has only had to travel within 10 miles to the court, their travel disbursements will not be recoverable on assessment.

How can ARC Costs assist?

The team at ARC Costs consists of experienced costs lawyers and costs draftsmen who can be relied upon to provide an expert costs drafting and advocacy service.

When aiding clients on costs for legal aid matters, the team can be trusted to locate the recoverable costs effectively. Therefore, we can identify when a costs could be recoverable as a travel bolt-on Legal Aid fee and make a point of recovering this for our client, if appropriate.

When preparing a bill of costs , our costs draftsmen take time to ensure that it is exact and comprehensive. Furthermore, we deliver a prompt service and return the document within 5 working days.

To find out about how we can help you, please provide us with your email address on our free chat facility. Alternatively, you can contact us at 01204 397302 .

Request Your Free Quotation

4 Bark Street East, Bolton, BL1 2BQ

01204 397302

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Last updated: 21 June 2024 00:57

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Guidance: Graduated fee travel expenses

Legal aid agency, local bar allowances.

MS Excel Spreadsheet , 28.6 KB

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AGFS travel expenses guidance

PDF , 87.4 KB , 2 pages

Guidance on the Advocates Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS) travel expenses

In this publication, youll find the Local Bar rules and AGFS travel fee guidance when submitting a claim for legal aid.

Guidance on the Litigators Graduated Fee Scheme (LGFS) travel expenses

Refer to the Crown Court fee guidance .

Prior Legal Aid Agency (LAA) approval

As both a litigator and advocate, you can apply to the LAA for prior approval of travel and accommodation costs. Refer to paragraph 13.1 of the Crown Court fee guidance .

Then, apply to the Crown Court prior approval team at: [email protected]

Phone: 0300 200 2020 (lines open, 9am to 5pm)

Phone number and opening times updated

Local Bar allowances - train fares updated.

Local bar allowances updated with current train fares.

Advocates' Graduated Fee Scheme travel expenses spreadsheet updated with 2019 train fares.

Local bar travel allowances updated with 2018 train fares.

We have revised our local Bar Travel Allowances to reflect 2017 train fares and mileage.

Local bar travel allowances updated.

First published.

View the original news story

Crime news: retrial claims under Advocates Graduated Fee Scheme Thursday, 8 Dec
Crime news: Crown Court Defence online billing to be mandatory Monday, 24 Jul
Form: Advocates Graduated Fee Scheme claims Monday, 19 Feb
Crime news: revised Crown Court fee guidance Wednesday, 28 Feb
Crime news: LGFS consultation and fee cut update Wednesday, 22 Feb

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Travel Expenses- Which legal authority should I use to accept travel expenses from a non-Federal entity?

The following information is provided to help USGS employees, volunteers, emeriti, and student support contractors easily and accurately select the appropriate legal authority to accept travel funds from an outside source ( i.e. an entity other than USGS).

If you will be attending a meeting, conference, seminar, lecture or similar event , select 31 U.S.C. § 1353.

This legal authority must be considered before any other legal authority is selected.
when another Federal agency is paying for the travel;
to carry out an agency’s statutory or regulatory function such as investigations, inspections, audits, negotiations, or litigation; or
to attend promotional vendor training.
Only DOI or your bureau may accept reimbursement (you may not accept cash or a check payable to you or “sign over” a check).
You may accept “in-kind” travel expenses that are provided to you directly (such as an airline ticket, a hotel room or meals).
A F orm DI-2000 is required. USGS employees traveling within the U.S. can fill out a standalone DI-2000 in Webforms. By contrast, for international travelers, when you select 31 U.S.C. § 1353 as the legal authority on your DI-1175, a DI-2000 is automatically generated within the DI-1175.
More information about the DI-2000 and the DI-1175 can be found here . Detailed DI-2000 guidance can be found here . FAQs regarding the DI-2000 can be found here .

If you will be conducting fieldwork or engaging in an activity where no information product will be developed , or your travel expenses are being paid by a non-Federal source and USGS is not required to produce anything including a report, data, etc. select 43 U.S.C. § 36c (and a Form 9-3089 is also required). More information about the 9-3089 form can be found here .

For USGS employees, if there is a USGS collaborative agreement that includes payment of your travel expenses, select 43 U.S.C. § 36c (and a Form 9-3089 is also required). More information about the 9-3089 form can be found here .

If there is a CRADA or Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) that includes payment of your travel expenses, select 15 U.S.C. § 3710(a).

If another U.S. Federal Agency or another DOI bureau paying your travel expenses, select 31 U.S.C. § 1535.

Inter/Intra-Agency Travel Agreement Form is required.
See the Department of the Interior Inter/Intra-Agency Agreement (IAA) Handbook.

If you will be traveling to provide assistance to a foreign government or an international organization designated by the Dept of State and there is an approved agreement in place under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 Section 607, select 22 U.S.C. § 2357.

If you will be accepting travel expenses from a foreign government for travel expenses that take place outside the United States , select 5 U.S.C. § 7342 (Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act). You cannot accept travel to and from the US under this authority.

If your travel is related to your detail to an international organization , select 5 U.S.C. § 3343.

If your travel is related to Fulbright award you have received, select 22 U.S.C. § 2451.

If you will be traveling to receive training and a U.S. tax exempt organization will be paying all or part of your travel expenses , select 5 U.S.C. § 4111.

If payment of your travel expenses is included in an Intergovernmental Personnel Act agreement, select 5 U.S.C. § 3775(a).

If you are assigned to a USGS Cooperative Research Unit and traveling using university funds , select PL 86-686.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This page was last updated on August 30, 2019.

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Fedweek Legal

Federal legal corner: holding agencies accountable for travel reimbursements.

Employees often get frustrated when dealing with agencies’ responses to requests for reimbursement of travel expenses. For some, the problem is inexplicable delays in approving requests for reimbursement or issuing payment. Other times, the problem is a disagreement over the appropriate amount of the reimbursement. Still other problems arise over whether the expense claimed is allowable at all. Disputes over reimbursement of travel expenses are more than just mere inconveniences. These disputes rob employees of pay–it is the employee who has laid out the expense out of his or her own pocket. Employees need not put up with agency indecision or denials of reimbursements without recourse.

The General Services Administration’s Board of Contract Appeals (GSBCA) hears and decides claims by federal employees for reimbursement of expenses incurred while on official temporary duty travel or in connection with relocation to a new duty station. The GSBCA’s procedures are relatively simple: First, you must file your claim with your employing agency. An employee disagreeing with the agency’s adjudication of the claim may then file with the GSBCA. The employee bears the burden of proving the timeliness of the claim to the agency and entitlement to payment. Make sure to include all supporting documentation, including receipts, and argument as to your entitlement to the reimbursement.

A claim to the GSBCA should include: the employee’s name, address and telephone/fax numbers; name, address and telephone/fax numbers of the individual who denied the claim; copy of the denial of the claim; and all information the GSBCA would need to consider the claim. Claims should be sent to: Office of the Clerk of the Board, Room 7022, General Services Administration, 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405. A filing by fax can be sent to: 202-501-0664. Send a copy to the agency official named because the agency is entitled to file a response. After all the information is considered one of the GSBCA judges will issue a decision. Each side may request reconsideration. The final GSBCA decision is binding with no further appeals.

** This information is provided by the attorneys at Passman & Kaplan, P.C., a law firm dedicated to the representation of federal employees worldwide. For more information on Passman & Kaplan, P.C., go to http://www.passmanandkaplan.com . **

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Renew an adult passport

Find out if you can renew your passport or need a new one. Learn how to renew your passport by mail or online, get it changed or corrected, or what to do if it expires soon.

Renew early. Passport processing times vary. And some countries and airlines deny entry if your passport expires in less than 6 months.

Determine if you can renew your passport

If any of the following are true, you cannot renew your U.S. passport and must instead apply for a new passport in person using Form DS-11:

Issued before your 16th birthday
Issued more than 15 years ago
Damaged, lost, or stolen. Learn how to report a lost or stolen passport.
Issued in your previous name, and you do not have a legal document like a marriage license to prove your legal name change

If none of the above situations are true, you can renew your U.S. passport.

Can you renew an expired passport?

You can renew an expired passport, but only if it was issued within the last 15 years.

How to renew your passport and what documents you will need

You can renew your passport and/or passport card by mail. You may instead be able to renew them online during the limited beta release of the Online Passport Renewal System.

Because it can take up to three months to process your application, it is important to renew your passport before it expires. Check with the Department of State to find out the current processing times for passport renewals .

Renewing your passport by mail

Typically, you will need the following items to renew your passport or passport card by mail:

You can fill out Form DS-82 online , or
Download Form DS-82 and fill it out by hand, or
Find your local passport acceptance facility or regional agency and pick up a copy.
Passport photo
Passport fee
Your most recent passport - Your most recent passport will be mailed back to you separately after your new passport is mailed.
Name change documentation, if necessary

Learn how to submit all your documentation and passport fees and where to mail them.

Renewing your passport online

You may be able to renew your passport book and/or card online. The Department of State's online system currently limits the hours it is available and the number of passport renewals it accepts each day.

Learn about the Online Passport Renewal System , including:

Eligibility for renewing your passport book and/or card online
How to create an online account
What information and documents you will need to renew your passport online

If you need your passport quickly

Learn how and where to get your passport fast for emergency or urgent travel or to get expedited processing. The time it takes for each varies throughout the year, and there may be additional fees. Use the fee calculator or chart.

Check the status of your passport renewal

Learn how to check the status of your passport renewal online . Or check its status by phone (call wait times may be long).

If you need to change your name or correct your passport

After you receive your renewed passport, if you change your name or find an error, you will need to get an updated one to reflect the change. The process, cost, and forms you need depend on how long you have had your current passport. Follow the steps from the State Department to change your name or correct your passport.

If you are outside the U.S.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate near you to request a passport while outside the U.S.

If you need help with your passport application

If you have questions about your U.S. passport, the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) can help. Get contact information for NPIC and find out when to contact them based on when you are traveling.

Be aware of passport expiration rules for your destination

Some countries and airlines will not allow a U.S. passport holder to enter if their passport expires in less than 6 months.

Check your destination country's U.S. passport expiration rules on the Department of State's country information page .

On the left, search for the country name in the "learn about your destination" box.
On that country's page, look for "passport validity."

LAST UPDATED: June 17, 2024

Have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

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Get a Passport

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Apply for your First Adult Passport

Apply for a Child Under 16

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Respond to a Letter or Email

Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person.
If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply with their child, you will need to show us more documents.
You cannot renew your child's passport using Form DS-82.
Passports for children under age 16 are only valid for 5 years.

Steps to Apply

1. fill out form ds-11 and print it.

Use our Form Filler tool to fill out your child's form on a desktop or laptop computer and then print it. If you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler, download a PDF .

Tips to complete your child's form :

Do not sign your child's form until asked to do so by a passport acceptance agent or employee.
You can apply for a passport book , a passport card , or both documents.
You may ask for a larger passport book with more visa pages, at no extra cost, by checking the 'large book' box at the top of the DS-11.

2. Get Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (and a photocopy)

Your evidence must be an original or replacement copy. The document must have the official seal or stamp of the office which issued it. You must submit one of the following documents for your child:

Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
Lists applicant's full name, date of birth, and place of birth
Lists the parent(s)' full names
Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
Has the registrar's signature
Has the seal or stamp of the city, county, or state which issued it
Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
Certificate of Citizenship
Please note you must also provide a document, such as a birth certificate, that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child. Full validity means the document is or was valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16.

If you cannot submit one of these documents, go to our Citizenship Evidence page for more information.

Paper only : You cannot submit digital evidence of U.S. citizenship such as a mobile or electronic birth certificate. You must submit physical evidence of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of the document.

Returning your child's document : We will return your child's document in a separate mailing up to 8 weeks after you receive the new passport.

Tips for making a photocopy :

Black and white (no color)
Use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper
Use a single side of the paper

If you do not submit a photocopy, you must submit a second copy of your citizenship evidence. We will keep this copy for our records.

3. Show Your Relationship to Your Child

You must submit a document that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child. Examples include:

U.S. birth certificate (also evidence of U.S. citizenship)
Foreign birth certificate
Adoption decree
Divorce or custody decree
A court order

Some documents, like a U.S. birth certificate, show both U.S. citizenship and parental relationship. These documents must be originals or certified copies (not photocopies).

You and your child may have different last names, as long as the document showing your relationship to your child lists your full name.

If your name is different than the one on the document showing your relationship to your child, submit proof of your legal name change.

4. Get a Photo ID (and a photocopy)

Both parents or guardians must bring a physical, photo ID and a photocopy of it. If your photo ID is from a different state than the state in which you are applying, bring a second photo ID.

You must show at least one of these photo IDs:

Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card
In-state, fully valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo
Certificate of Naturalization
Certificate of Citizenship
Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
U.S. military or military dependent ID
Current (valid) foreign passport
Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
Trusted Traveler IDs (including valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards)
Enhanced Tribal Cards and Native American tribal photo IDs
In-state, fully-valid learner's permit with photo
In-state, fully-valid non-driver ID with photo
Temporary driver's license with photo

If you do not have one of these photo IDs, go to our Identification page for more information.

5. Show More Documents (if both parents or guardians cannot apply)

Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person.
If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply in person with their child, you will need to show more documents.

Important : Submit Form DS-3053 and other notarized statements within three months of signing them.

6. Provide a Photo

You must provide one photo with your child's application. Go to our Passport Photo page for photo requirements and to see examples of photos.

Do not attach or staple your child's photo to the form. The acceptance agent or passport employee will review the photo and staple it to your form.
Some passport acceptance facilities
A company which offers photo services
Home. Ask your friend or family member to take your child's photo. Print it on glossy or matte photo quality paper.

7. Calculate Fees

When applying using Form DS-11, you will pay two separate fees - an application fee and an execution (acceptance) fee. You will pay the application fee to the U.S. Department of State, and the execution (acceptance) fee to the facility which takes your application.

Add $60 to your application fee if you want expedited service .
Add $19.53 to your application fee if you want us to ship your completed passport in 1-2 days after we issue it.

Child Applicants :

For more information on how to pay and a full list of fees, go to our Passport Fees page.

*How to fill out your check and pay the application fee to the U.S. Department of State. Please note you must pay a separate execution (acceptance) fee.

Families may write one check or money order to the U.S. Department of State if they are applying at the same time. The check or money order must include the name and date of birth of each applicant.

8. Find Location to Apply

In the United States:

Traveling in more than 3 weeks? Go to a passport acceptance facility such as a post office, library, or local government office. Check with the facility to see if you need to make an appointment.
Traveling in less than 3 weeks? Make an appointment to apply at a passport agency or center.

In another country:

Contact your U.S. embassy or consulate .

9. Track Your Application Status

You can subscribe to email updates about your application status, and learn more about each status update .

It may take 2 weeks from the day you apply until your child's application status is “In Process.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How will you send my child's passport and supporting documents.

You will get multiple mailings. The number of mailings depends on what document(s) you asked for.

Passport Book : You may get your new passport and citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We will return the passport book using a trackable delivery service.

Passport Card : You may get your new passport card and your citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards using 1-2 day delivery services.

Both a Passport Book and Card : You may get three separate mailings:

New passport book
New passport card
Citizenship documents

Contacting Us : If you have been waiting more than 8 weeks for your documents, call us at 1-877-487-2778 to report that you have not received your documents.

If you want us to reimburse you for a lost supporting document, you must contact us within 90 days of the date which we mailed your passport. You will also need to provide a receipt to show the cost of replacing the document.

Can I pay for faster delivery and return shipping?

Yes. You may choose one or both of the following shipment options:

Delivering application to us : Pay for Priority Mail Express for faster shipping. The price for this service varies depending on the area of the country.
Returning the passport to you : Pay $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery. This means you will receive your passport 1-2 days after we send it. Include this fee with your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State. Do not submit a return envelope to us with postage pre-paid.

You may receive your passport and supporting documents in separate mailings. If you are renewing a passport card, we will send it to you via First Class Mail. We do not use 1-2 day delivery services if you only applied for a passport card.

What countries require Form DS-3053 "Statement of Consent" to be notarized at an embassy or consulate?

In certain countries, a DS-3053 must be notarized at a U.S. embassy or consulate and cannot be notarized by a local notary public. Currently, these countries include:

Special Passport Fairs

Find a Special Passport Fair near you!

We're holding special passport fairs all across the United States to help you get your passport more easily. New events are added to our site every week.

Most events are for first-time applicants and children, (who use Form DS-11). If you can use Form DS-82, you can renew by mail at your convenience!

Processing Times

Routine: 6-8 weeks*

Expedited: 2-3 weeks and an extra $60*

*Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel. Processing times only include the time your application is at a passport agency or center.

It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or center. It may take up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport after we print it.
Processing times + mailing times = total time to get a passport

Urgent Travel: See our Get my Passport Fast page.

How to Apply for your Child's Passport

Watch this video to learn how to apply in person for your child's U.S. passport!

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9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

According to our analysis of more than 50 travel insurance companies and hundreds of different travel insurance plans, the best travel insurance company is Travelex Insurance Services. In our best travel insurance ratings, we take into account traveler reviews, credit ratings and industry awards. The best travel insurance companies offer robust coverage and excellent customer service, and many offer customizable add-ons.

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

HTH Travel Insurance »

Tin Leg »

AIG Travel Guard »

Nationwide Insurance »

Seven Corners »

Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance Companies.

Table of Contents

Travelex Insurance Services
Allianz Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can help you protect the financial investment you made in your vacation when unexpected issues arise. Find the best travel insurance for the type of trip(s) you're taking and the coverages that matter most to you – from interruptions and misplaced belongings to illness and injury.

Travelex Insurance Services: Best Overall
Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Trip Interruptions
HTH Travel Insurance: Best for Groups
Tin Leg: Best Cost
AIG Travel Guard: Best for Families
Nationwide Insurance: Best for Last-Minute Travel Insurance
Seven Corners: Best for 24/7 Support When Traveling
Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for Specialized Coverage

Customizable upgrades are available, including car rental coverage, additional medical insurance and adventure sports coverage

Medical and trip cancellation maximum are not as high as some other companies

100% of the insured trip cost for trip cancellation; 150% for trip interruption
Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost, damaged or stolen bags and personal items; $200 for luggage delays
$750 in missed connection coverage
$50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
Up to $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

Distinguishing between the company's 10 travel insurance plans can be challenging

Up to $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage; $300,000 in trip interruption coverage
$2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal effects; $600 for bag delays
Up to $1,600 for travel delays
Emergency medical coverage of up to $75,000
Epidemic coverage

Generous coverage at the mid- and high-tier levels, and great group discounts

Preexisting conditions coverage is only available at mid- and high-tier plans

100% trip cancellation coverage (up to $50,000); 200% trip interruption coverage
Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $400 in baggage delay coverage
Up to $2,000 in coverage for trip delays; $1,000 for missed connections
$500,000 in coverage per person for sickness and accidents

Variety of plans to choose from, including two budget-friendly policies and several more premium options

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

100% trip cancellation protection; 150% trip interruption
$500 per person for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal items
Up to $2,000 per person in travel delay coverage ($150 per day); $100 per person for missed connections
$100,000 per person in emergency medical coverage, including issues related to COVID-19

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

Information about policy coverage inclusions is not readily available without first obtaining a quote

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of your trip's cost; trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
Up to $2,500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage; $500 related to luggage delays
Up to $1,000 in missed connection and trip delay coverage
$100,000 in emergency medical coverage

Variety of plans to choose from and coverage available up to a day before you leave on your trip

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000; trip interruption coverage worth up to 200% of the trip cost (maximum of $60,000)
$2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage; $600 for baggage delays
Up to $2,000 for trip delays; missed connection and itinerary change coverage of $500 each
$150,000 for emergency medical and dental issues

Customer service available 24/7 via text, Whatsapp, email and phone

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

100% trip cancellation coverage (up to between $30,000 and $100,000 depending on your state of residence); interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $2,500; up to $600 for luggage delays
Trip delay and missed connection coverage worth up to $1,500
Emergency medical coverage worth up to between $250,000 and $500,000 (depending on where you live)

Generous emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage

Coverage for those with preexisting conditions is only available on the Premium plan

100% reimbursement for trip cancellation; 175% reimbursement for trip interruption
$2,000 in coverage for loss of baggage per person
$1,000 per person in travel delay and missed connection coverage
$250,000 in medical and dental coverage per person

In addition to single-trip plans, company offers specific road trip, adventure travel, flight and cruise insurance coverage

Coverage for missed connections or accidental death and dismemberment is not part of the most basic plan

Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost; interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost
$500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged bags and personal items; bag delay coverage worth $200
Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000; missed connection coverage worth up to $100
Medical coverage worth up to $50,000

To help you better understand the costs associated with travel insurance, we requested quotes for a weeklong June 2024 trip to Spain for a solo traveler, a couple and a family. These rates should help you get a rough estimate for about how much you can expect to spend on travel insurance. For additional details on specific coverage from each travel insurance plan and to input your trip information for a quote, see our comparison table below.

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

There are several types of travel insurance you'll want to evaluate before choosing the policy that's right for you. A few of the most popular types of travel insurance include:

COVID travel insurance Select insurance plans offer some or a combination of the following COVID-19-related protections: coverage for rapid or PCR testing; accommodations if you're required to quarantine during your trip if you test positive for coronavirus; health care; and trip cancellations due to you or a family member testing positive for COVID-19. Read more about the best COVID-19 travel insurance options .

Cancel for any reason insurance Cancel for any reason travel insurance works exactly how it sounds. This type of travel insurance lets you cancel your trip for any reason you want – even if your reason is that you simply decide you no longer want to go. Cancel for any reason travel insurance is typically an add-on you can purchase to go along with other types of travel insurance. For that reason, you will pay more to have this kind of coverage added to your policy.

Also note that this type of coverage typically only reimburses 50% to 80% of your nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses. You'll want to make sure you know exactly how much reimbursement you could qualify for before you invest in this type of policy. Compare the best cancel for any reason travel insurance options here .

International travel insurance Travel insurance is especially useful when traveling internationally, as it can provide medical coverage for emergencies (in some cases for COVID-19) when you're far from home. Depending which international travel insurance plan you choose, this type of travel insurance can also cover lost or delayed luggage, rental cars, travel interruptions or cancellations, and more.

Cheap travel insurance If you want travel insurance but don't want to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of cheap travel insurance options that will offer at least some protections (and peace of mind). These are typically called a company's basic or standard plan; many travel insurance companies even allow you to customize your coverage, spending as little or as much as you want. Explore your options for the cheapest travel insurance here .

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance Trip cancellation coverage can help you get reimbursement for prepaid travel expenses, such as your airfare and cruise fare, if your trip is ultimately canceled for a covered reason. Trip interruption insurance, on the other hand, kicks in to reimburse you if your trip is derailed after it starts. For instance, if you arrived at your destination and became gravely ill, it would cover the cost if you had to cut your trip short.

Trip delay insurance can help you qualify for reimbursement of any unexpected expenses you incur (think: lodging, transportation and food) in the event your trip is delayed for reasons beyond your control, such as your flight being canceled and rebooked for the next day. You will want to save your receipts to substantiate your claim if you have this coverage.

Lost, damaged, delayed or stolen bags or personal belongings Coverage for lost or stolen bags can come in handy if your checked luggage is lost by your airline or your luggage is delayed so long that you have to buy clothing and toiletries for your trip. This type of coverage can kick in to cover the cost to replace lost or stolen items you brought on your trip. It can also provide coverage for the baggage itself. It's even possible that your travel insurance policy will pay for your flight home if damages are caused to your residence and your belongings while you're away, forcing you to return home immediately.

Travel medical insurance If you find yourself sick or injured while you are on vacation, emergency medical coverage can pay for your medical expenses. With that in mind, however, you will need to find out whether the travel medical insurance you buy is primary or secondary. Where a primary policy can be used right away to cover medical bills incurred while you travel, secondary coverage only provides reimbursement after you have exhausted other medical policies you have.

You will also need to know how the travel medical coverage you purchase deals with any preexisting conditions you have, including whether you will have any coverage for preexisting conditions at all. Read more about the best travel medical insurance plans .

Evacuation insurance Imagine you break your leg while on the side of a mountain in some far-flung land without quality health care. Not only would you need travel medical insurance coverage in that case, but you would also need coverage for the exorbitant expense involved in getting you off the side of a mountain and flying you home where you can receive appropriate medical care.

Evacuation coverage can come in handy if you need it, but you will want to make sure any coverage you buy comes with incredibly high limits. According to Squaremouth, an emergency evacuation can easily cost $25,000 in North America and up to $50,000 in Europe, so the site typically suggests customers buy policies with $50,000 to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.

Cruise insurance Travel delays; missed connections, tours or excursions; and cruise ship disablement (when a ship encounters a mechanical issue and is unable to continue on in the journey) are just a few examples why cruise insurance can be a useful protection if you've booked a cruise vacation. Learn more about the top cruise insurance plans here .

Credit card travel insurance It is not uncommon to find credit cards that include trip cancellation and interruption coverage , trip delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage, travel accident insurance, and more. Cards that offer this coverage include popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card , the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and The Platinum Card from American Express .

Note that owning a credit card with travel insurance protection is not enough for your coverage to count: To take advantage of credit card travel insurance, you must pay for prepaid travel expenses like your airfare, hotel stay or cruise with that specific credit card. Also, note that credit cards with travel insurance have their own list of exclusions to watch out for. Many also require cardholders to pay an annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to buy travel insurance is normally within a few weeks of booking your trip since you may qualify for lower pricing if you book early. Keep in mind, some travel insurance providers allow you to purchase plans until the day before you depart.

Many times, you are given the option to purchase travel insurance when you book your airfare, accommodations or vacation package. Travel insurance and travel protection are frequently offered as add-ons for your trip, meaning you can pay for your vacation and some level of travel insurance at the same time.

However, many people choose to wait to buy travel insurance until after their entire vacation is booked and paid for. This helps travelers tally up all the underlying costs associated with a trip, and then choose their travel insurance provider and the level of coverage they want.

Figuring out where to buy travel insurance may be confusing but you can easily research and purchase travel insurance online these days. Some consumers prefer to shop around with a specific provider, such as Allianz or Travelex, but you can also shop and compare policies with a travel insurance platform. Popular options include:

TravelInsurance.com: TravelInsurance.com offers travel insurance options from more than a dozen vetted insurance providers. Users can read reviews on the various travel insurance providers to find out more about previous travelers' experiences with them. Squaremouth: With Squaremouth, you can enter your trip details and compare more than 90 travel insurance plans from 20-plus providers.
InsureMyTrip: InsureMyTrip works similarly, letting you shop around and compare plans from more than 20 travel insurance providers in one place. InsureMyTrip also offers several guarantees, including a Best Price Guarantee, a Best Plan Guarantee and a Money-Back Guarantee that promises a full refund if you decide you no longer need the plan you purchased.

Protect your trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel insurance plans for the lowest price. Get a quote .

When you need to file a travel insurance claim, you should plan on explaining to your provider what happened to your trip and why you think your policy applies. If you planned to go on a Caribbean cruise, but your husband fell gravely ill the night before you were set to depart, you would need to explain that situation to your travel insurance company. Information you should share with your provider includes the details of why you're making a claim, who was involved and the exact circumstances of your loss.

Documentation is important, and your travel insurance provider will ask for proof of what happened. Required documentation for travel insurance typically includes any proof of a delay, receipts, copies of medical bills and more.

Most travel insurance companies let you file a claim using an online form, but some also allow you to file a claim by phone or via fax. Some travel insurance providers, such as Allianz and Travel Insured International, offer their own mobile apps you can use to buy policies and upload information or documents that substantiate your claim. In any case, you will need to provide the company with proof of your claim and the circumstances that caused it.

If your claim is initially denied, you may also need to answer some questions or submit some additional information that can highlight why you do, in fact, qualify.

Whatever you do, be honest and forthcoming with all the information in your claim. Also, be willing to provide more information or answer any questions when asked.

Travel insurance claims typically take four to six weeks to process once you file with your insurance company. However, with various flight delays and cancellations due to things like extreme weather and pilot shortages, more travelers have begun purchasing travel insurance, encountering trip issues and having to submit claims. The higher volume of claims submitted has resulted in slower turnaround times at some insurance companies.

The longer you take to file your travel insurance claim after a loss, the longer you will be waiting for reimbursement. Also note that, with many travel insurance providers, there is a time limit on how long you can submit claims after a trip. For example, with Allianz Travel Insurance and Travelex Insurance Services, you have 90 days from the date of your loss to file a claim.

You may be able to expedite the claim if you provide all the required information upfront, whereas the process could drag on longer than it needs to if you delay filing a claim or the company has to follow up with you to get more information.

Travel insurance is never required, and only you can decide whether or not it's right for you. Check out Is Travel Insurance Worth It? to see some common situations where it does (and doesn't) make sense.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has been writing about travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states, in their family media business.

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Crime, justice and law

Civil news: local travel claims from 1 September 2014

New approach to local travel assessments.

A change of approach to the assessment of ‘local travel’ claims takes effect on 1 September 2014.

This means that for funding granted on or after 1 September 2014 local travel expenses will generally not be payable.

‘Local travel’ is considered to be travel within a 10 mile radius of the court.

Claim assessments

Any claims for travel expenses such as mileage, taxi fares and train fares will be assessed.

There are no changes to payment for time spent travelling and this can be claimed within the rules of the fee schemes. For example, the exceptional travel bolt on within the Family Advocacy Scheme.

Payment will be made along with any incidental expenses such as car parking charges.

This applies to both legal help and certificated matters.

An update about the timing of this change and discussions with your rep bodies was published on 22 May 2014.

Further information

Funding and costs assessment – to download cost assessment guidance and electronic handbook

Contracts and tenders

Civil forms: controlled work claims

Practice Direction 47: paragraph 5.22 (3) for confirmation of the rule on local travel expenses

Update on local travel claims: 22 May news story

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Core Prevention Strategies

CDC recommends that all people use core prevention strategies to protect themselves and others from COVID-19:

Although vaccinated people sometimes get infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines significantly lowers the risk of getting very sick, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19.
Practice good hygiene (practices that improve cleanliness)
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COMMENTS

Graduated fee travel expenses
Prior Legal Aid Agency (LAA) approval. As both a litigator and advocate, you can apply to the LAA for prior approval of travel and accommodation costs. Refer to paragraph 13.1 of the Crown Court ...
Claiming Travel Expenses from the Legal Aid Agency
It stated 'Travel expenses are only normally claimable where the travel is in excess of 10 miles each way'. The Costs Assessment Guidance deals with travel expenses at 3.11-3.17 and the above statement is linked to the following paragraph: 3.15 Paragraph 5.22 (3) of the Practice Direction to Rule 47.6 CPR (Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules ...
PDF Costs Assessment Guidance
The Lord Chancellor through the Legal Aid Agency ( ^the Agency _) is obliged to pay remuneration for civil cases properly due in accordance with the Remuneration Regulations 2013 and his/her contracted obligations. ... of legal aid costs is on a standard rather than indemnity basis (see 1.3) 1.11 Accordingly, the question of whether an item is ...
The Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013
2. — (1) The Lord Chancellor may increase the fixed fees or rates set out in the Table after paragraph 1 if the Lord Chancellor considers it reasonable to do so due to exceptional circumstances. (2) In sub-paragraph (1), "exceptional circumstances" mean that the expert's evidence is key to the client's case and either—.
AGFS travel expenses guidance
Passports, travel and living abroad; Visas and immigration; Working, jobs and pensions; ... Legal Aid Agency. See more information about this guidance. Guidance AGFS travel expenses guidance Updated 7 September 2022 Download CSV 87.4 KB. This CSV cannot be viewed online. ...
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Providing advice to immigration detainees in prison (PDF, 142 KB, 6 pages) sets out the Legal Aid Agency's approach to costs assessment where work is undertaken in the magistrates' court under ...
Find a lawyer for affordable legal aid
Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it. Call USAGov. Chat with USAGov. Top. Get free legal advice and find a free or low-cost lawyer. Get legal help if you are in the military or are a veteran, senior, or person with a disability.
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Information and guidance to help legal aid professionals submit payment claims for their work. ... Legal Aid Agency Published 22 September 2023. ... Graduated fee travel expenses. 7 September 2022
CRM11: generic costs claim sheet
CRM11: generic costs claim sheet. Summary sheet for claims submitted to the Legal Aid Agency: profit costs, disbursements, travel and waiting. From: Legal Aid Agency. Published. 1 April 2013.
Fees chargeable for travel
Fees chargeable for travel. Fees chargeable for time spent travelling are based on the status of the person and the date of the travel. Travel is prescribed under paragraph 5A of Schedule 5 of The Civil Legal Aid (Scotland) (Fees) Regulations 1989 or paragraph 4A of Part 1, Schedule 3 as amended by the Legal Aid and Advice and Assistance ...
PDF Guidance on authorities and legal aid for cases in courts outside
1.5 Legally aided clients' Travel Costs and Other Expenses 1.6 Joint Instructions and Apportionment Generally 1.7 Residential treatments; treatment, therapy and training and related ... The duty to the Lord Chancellor, via the Legal Aid Agency ('the Agency'), in relation to information relating to the application is a continuing one, and ...
Burcher Jennings
Peculiar Impecunious - claiming client travel expenses from the LAA. Posted by Michelle Barron on 5th September, 2018 in Opinion and categorised in . Sometimes getting money out of the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) is like trying to get blood out of a stone. One of the many queries we receive from solicitors across the country is "The LAA has ...
Travel Bolt On Legal Aid: Family Advocacy Scheme
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Guidance: Graduated fee travel expenses
Prior Legal Aid Agency (LAA) approval. As both a litigator and advocate, you can apply to the LAA for prior approval of travel and accommodation costs. Refer to paragraph 13.1 of the Crown Court fee guidance. Then, apply to the Crown Court prior approval team at: [email protected]. Phone: 0300 200 2020 (lines open, 9am to 5pm)
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If there is a CRADA or Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) that includes payment of your travel expenses, select 15 U.S.C. § 3710(a). If another U.S. Federal Agency or another DOI bureau paying your travel expenses, select 31 U.S.C. § 1535. Inter/Intra-Agency Travel Agreement Form is required.
Federal Legal Corner: Holding Agencies Accountable for Travel ...
Claims should be sent to: Office of the Clerk of the Board, Room 7022, General Services Administration, 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405. A filing by fax can be sent to: 202-501-0664. Send ...
Renew an adult passport
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PDF AF1(A) Advocate Graduated Fee Claim Form
the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. ... Invoices/receipts for accommodation and travel expenses (excluding mileage) required for all individual disbursements of £20 or more. AF1 (A) Page 8 of 13 ... Section 8 - To Be Completed By Legal Aid Agency Staff Only Claim Outcome Paid in full: Assessed: Rejected:
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Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia
Elektrostal Geography. Geographic Information regarding City of Elektrostal. Elektrostal Geographical coordinates. Latitude: 55.8, Longitude: 38.45. 55° 48′ 0″ North, 38° 27′ 0″ East. Elektrostal Area. 4,951 hectares. 49.51 km² (19.12 sq mi) Elektrostal Altitude.
Apply for a Child's U.S. Passport
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Best for Families: AIG Travel Guard offers several types of travel insurance plans: the Annual Travel Plan for all trips in a one-year span, the Pack N' Go Plan for last-minute trips and the ...
Civil news: local travel claims from 1 September 2014
From: Legal Aid Agency. Published. 14 August 2014. A change of approach to the assessment of 'local travel' claims takes effect on 1 September 2014. This means that for funding granted on or ...
State Housing Inspectorate of the Moscow Region
State Housing Inspectorate of the Moscow Region Elektrostal postal code 144009. See Google profile, Hours, Phone, Website and more for this business. 2.0 Cybo Score. Review on Cybo.
How to Protect Yourself and Others
CDC's Respiratory Virus Guidance provides strategies you can use to help protect yourself and others from health risks caused by COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. These actions can help you lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission (spreading or catching COVID-19) and lower the risk of severe illness if you get sick.