What is a Travel Waiver?

A travel waiver, also referred to as a travel liability waiver, is a form an organization may use to protect itself from liability. An organization may have an individual sign this form, stating that he understands the risks involved in traveling to the particular destination or using a particular type of transportation. This type of form typically contains language that releases the organization from liability in the event that the individual suffers some type of injury, damage, or loss while traveling. Such forms may require a person to state that he has health insurance. Additionally, airlines sometimes issue another type of travel waiver, which allows a person to change his reservation without incurring additional charges; this may happen when a destination has become unsafe for some reason, such as during war or a hurricane.

Travel waivers that are meant to release an organization from liability usually contain a statement that the signer is aware of the risks inherent in the trip. Depending on the laws in the jurisdiction in which the organization is located, this may include general statements of risk, detailed statements of risk, or a statement that says it is the duty of the traveler to research risks. This language may also depend on the type of travel activity that is involved. If a person is planning to take a scuba diving trip, for example, the waiver is likely to include detailed information about the risks of scuba diving. In consideration of the fact that an organization has explained the risks of the travel activity, the signer of the form takes on responsibility for any injury or loss he suffers during travel.

In some cases, a travel waiver also includes language concerning health insurance. For example, a school that is arranging a trip may require each traveler to have health insurance. By signing the form, a person is acknowledging that he is aware of this requirement and that he does have health insurance. Likewise, the signer may agree to use his personal health insurance if a medical condition or injury arises in relation to the trip. A travel waiver form may also contain language that states that the signer has had a medical exam and is in good general health.

Sometimes the term travel waiver is also used to describe a situation in which an airline allows a person to waive travel to a specific location because it may be unsafe. For example, an airline may allow a person to waive travel to an island that is in the path of a hurricane, changing his reservation without charging extra fees. Likewise, this type of waiver may be granted if a travel destination is involved in a war.