Don't rely on what you were told. You really need to read the policy language to determine what is covered and what is an "emergency." What if you need medical evacuation back to the US, what if you can't fly for a month and are stuck in a hotel? What if you are traveling with someone and they need to spend time in a hotel while waiting for you? What if your ticket is in Y, but you need an F/J seat or rebooking to get you home costs a fortune?