To Buy or Not To Buy (Travel Insurance) -- That is the Question
July 4, 2019
Clients sometimes ask us if it's really necessary to buy travel insurance, especially if they have personal insurance that covers some aspects of travel. If you're buying a last-minute, domestic trip, a cheap domestic flight, or a trip in which you can absorb the cost of losing pre-paid fees, you may not need travel insurance. But there are many instances where it can save you a great deal of money, such as...
-
-
You have to cancel the trip
This could be because of a parent's death, someone gets sick, your boss requires you to work, or a home emergency (natural disaster such as flood, fire, tornado)
Trip Cancellation Insurance allows you to recover out-of-pocket trip expenses for situations like this.
-
Your trip gets interrupted
You're at a conference when you get a call that a family member has been hospitalized and you need to return home immediately.
Trip Interruption Insurance helps ensure you can afford to make it home without any financial setbacks. It's often included in trip cancellation insurance, but double-check to be sure.
Get Our Perfect Packing Checklist Free
Never again worry about leaving something behind.Sign up for the checklist now and we'll also put you on our VIP list for Free. Be the first to know about travel specials you won't find anywhere else online -- they're only available when you sign up here.
-
The travel company goes out of business
A recent news item illustrates this scenario perfectly: A number of people were left in the lurch financially when a tour company suddenly stopped taking their calls. They then discovered the companies had never made their reservations and all of their deposit money was gone. While most travel companies are reputable and go the extra mile for their customers, there are scammers too -- and they can be hard to spot.
Trip insurance that covers financial default helps you recoup your expenses in these scenarios. With the help of assistance services, you should also be able to reschedule the trip with another company.
-
You miss your connection
You’re on you're way to Paris for a two-week European tour when you discover the connecting flight in Boston is going to be delayed. If you miss the connection, you will miss the tour departure. How will you catch up to the tour group?
With missed connection coverage, you can take another flight, on another airline if necessary, to meet the tour departure, or catch up to the tour at the next stop. You’ll also have travel assistance services to help you arrange and pay for those travel changes.
-
Your baggage gets delayed, lost, stolen or damaged
You step off the plane into a glorious tropical atmosphere to start a romantic vacation for your 25th wedding anniversary. You make your way with the other passengers to baggage claim where you wait for your luggage to rumble out onto the carousel. You wait... and wait... and wait... All of the other passengers grab their luggage. The claim area empties. Your bags are nowhere to be seen.
Great. What a way to start a romantic holiday.
But wait! All is NOT lost! With coverage for luggage that is lost, delayed, stolen, or damaged, you’ll be reimbursed for new clothes and personal items. You can even get reimbursed for a suitcase so you can take your new stuff home.
If your luggage was merely delayed, the insurance company's 24/7 Travel Assistance Service will help locate your bags and reimburse you for the essential items you needed to start enjoying your vacation.
-
Your passport gets lost
You're ordering an Uber in Barcelona when you discover your passport missing, and you realize you must have left it at the restaurant that afternoon.
Coverage for lost passports expedites the process of replacing and paying for a new passport.
-
A natural disaster hits your destination
You're getting ready to hit the beach when the hotel personnel warns you that a hurricane is heading for the island and you have to evacuate immediately. What happens to all of the money you poured into this vacation?
Travel insurance protection for weather damage helps you recover your pre-paid costs. And the travel assistance services will also help you arrange a way to get the heck outta there! Some insurance policies don't cover hurricanes, so be sure to check.
-
You get sick or injured while traveling
It certainly wasn't your plan to break your leg on your European ski vacation, but sometimes, stuff just happens. And when it does, emergency medical expenses are hefty.
Medical expense coverage will cover you for accidents and emergency medical and dental care when you travel abroad. Even if you are covered for basic emergency care overseas through your health insurance (a big "IF"), your current health insurance provider will almost certainly NOT pay to evacuate you and bring you back to the U.S.
-
You need emergency medical evacuation/repatriation
You're touring the Alps when your spouse suddenly falls ill with dizziness and a high fever. You need to get to a medical facility fast.
Medical evacuation coverage provides for medically necessary evacuation to a medical facility, medically equipped flights to return home, or the repatriation of mortal remains to your primary residence.
-
A terrorist event occurs
You've been planning a trip to Sri Lanka when your travel agent calls to say that travel there has been banned because of terrorist attacks. What will happen now, will you lose all of the money you've already paid?
With Terrorism Coverage, you can cancel your trip and recoup the money you’ve spent.
-
You're traveling with a pet
Your aunt Geri's Yorkie is far more friend than pet, and she insists on bringing the pooch everywhere. So when Geri has the opportunity to take an extended vacation in the UK, Maggie the Yorkie travels along with her. But two weeks into the vacation, Geri falls very ill and is taken to the hospital. What's to become of Maggie while Geri's in the hospital?
Pet care coverage provides assistance services to coordinate your pet’s safe return home if something happens to you. It’s not a widely advertised perk of travel insurance packages, so if you're traveling with a furry family member, be sure to ask about it.
-
If you're planning to stay awhile
Your folks are snowbirds who like to take extended vacations in balmy climates during the arctic blast of winter. You want to be sure they're taken care of in case of illness or injury, and Medicare offers very little coverage outside the U.S.
Extended stay travel insurance was designed just for this purpose. It's essential for anyone on fixed incomes who can’t afford unexpected surprises, and the premiums are quite reasonable, even for travelers with pre-existing health issues.
You want your travel to be as relaxing and efficient as possible, right? Travel insurance can go a long way toward that by giving you peace of mind. In most cases, your travels with go without a hitch. You won't have to worry about getting ill, injured, or caught up in a weather or terror event. But if you do, the last thing you want is to be stuck there without the support or financial means to get help and flown home.
For that reason alone, travel insurance is worth every cent.
-
-
You have to cancel the trip
This could be because of a parent's death, someone gets sick, your boss requires you to work, or a home emergency (natural disaster such as flood, fire, tornado)
Trip Cancellation Insurance allows you to recover out-of-pocket trip expenses for situations like this.
-
Your trip gets interrupted
You're at a conference when you get a call that a family member has been hospitalized and you need to return home immediately.
Trip Interruption Insurance helps ensure you can afford to make it home without any financial setbacks. It's often included in trip cancellation insurance, but double-check to be sure.
Get Our Perfect Packing Checklist Free
Never again worry about leaving something behind.Sign up for the checklist now and we'll also put you on our VIP list for Free. Be the first to know about travel specials you won't find anywhere else online -- they're only available when you sign up here.
-
The travel company goes out of business
A recent news item illustrates this scenario perfectly: A number of people were left in the lurch financially when a tour company suddenly stopped taking their calls. They then discovered the companies had never made their reservations and all of their deposit money was gone. While most travel companies are reputable and go the extra mile for their customers, there are scammers too -- and they can be hard to spot.
Trip insurance that covers financial default helps you recoup your expenses in these scenarios. With the help of assistance services, you should also be able to reschedule the trip with another company.
-
You miss your connection
You’re on you're way to Paris for a two-week European tour when you discover the connecting flight in Boston is going to be delayed. If you miss the connection, you will miss the tour departure. How will you catch up to the tour group?
With missed connection coverage, you can take another flight, on another airline if necessary, to meet the tour departure, or catch up to the tour at the next stop. You’ll also have travel assistance services to help you arrange and pay for those travel changes.
-
Your baggage gets delayed, lost, stolen or damaged
You step off the plane into a glorious tropical atmosphere to start a romantic vacation for your 25th wedding anniversary. You make your way with the other passengers to baggage claim where you wait for your luggage to rumble out onto the carousel. You wait... and wait... and wait... All of the other passengers grab their luggage. The claim area empties. Your bags are nowhere to be seen.
Great. What a way to start a romantic holiday.
But wait! All is NOT lost! With coverage for luggage that is lost, delayed, stolen, or damaged, you’ll be reimbursed for new clothes and personal items. You can even get reimbursed for a suitcase so you can take your new stuff home.
If your luggage was merely delayed, the insurance company's 24/7 Travel Assistance Service will help locate your bags and reimburse you for the essential items you needed to start enjoying your vacation.
-
Your passport gets lost
You're ordering an Uber in Barcelona when you discover your passport missing, and you realize you must have left it at the restaurant that afternoon.
Coverage for lost passports expedites the process of replacing and paying for a new passport.
-
A natural disaster hits your destination
You're getting ready to hit the beach when the hotel personnel warns you that a hurricane is heading for the island and you have to evacuate immediately. What happens to all of the money you poured into this vacation?
Travel insurance protection for weather damage helps you recover your pre-paid costs. And the travel assistance services will also help you arrange a way to get the heck outta there! Some insurance policies don't cover hurricanes, so be sure to check.
-
You get sick or injured while traveling
It certainly wasn't your plan to break your leg on your European ski vacation, but sometimes, stuff just happens. And when it does, emergency medical expenses are hefty.
Medical expense coverage will cover you for accidents and emergency medical and dental care when you travel abroad. Even if you are covered for basic emergency care overseas through your health insurance (a big "IF"), your current health insurance provider will almost certainly NOT pay to evacuate you and bring you back to the U.S.
-
You need emergency medical evacuation/repatriation
You're touring the Alps when your spouse suddenly falls ill with dizziness and a high fever. You need to get to a medical facility fast.
Medical evacuation coverage provides for medically necessary evacuation to a medical facility, medically equipped flights to return home, or the repatriation of mortal remains to your primary residence.
-
A terrorist event occurs
You've been planning a trip to Sri Lanka when your travel agent calls to say that travel there has been banned because of terrorist attacks. What will happen now, will you lose all of the money you've already paid?
With Terrorism Coverage, you can cancel your trip and recoup the money you’ve spent.
-
You're traveling with a pet
Your aunt Geri's Yorkie is far more friend than pet, and she insists on bringing the pooch everywhere. So when Geri has the opportunity to take an extended vacation in the UK, Maggie the Yorkie travels along with her. But two weeks into the vacation, Geri falls very ill and is taken to the hospital. What's to become of Maggie while Geri's in the hospital?
Pet care coverage provides assistance services to coordinate your pet’s safe return home if something happens to you. It’s not a widely advertised perk of travel insurance packages, so if you're traveling with a furry family member, be sure to ask about it.
-
If you're planning to stay awhile
Your folks are snowbirds who like to take extended vacations in balmy climates during the arctic blast of winter. You want to be sure they're taken care of in case of illness or injury, and Medicare offers very little coverage outside the U.S.
Extended stay travel insurance was designed just for this purpose. It's essential for anyone on fixed incomes who can’t afford unexpected surprises, and the premiums are quite reasonable, even for travelers with pre-existing health issues.
You have to cancel the trip
This could be because of a parent's death, someone gets sick, your boss requires you to work, or a home emergency (natural disaster such as flood, fire, tornado)
Trip Cancellation Insurance allows you to recover out-of-pocket trip expenses for situations like this.
Your trip gets interrupted
You're at a conference when you get a call that a family member has been hospitalized and you need to return home immediately.
Trip Interruption Insurance helps ensure you can afford to make it home without any financial setbacks. It's often included in trip cancellation insurance, but double-check to be sure.
Get Our Perfect Packing Checklist Free
Never again worry about leaving something behind.
Sign up for the checklist now and we'll also put you on our VIP list for Free. Be the first to know about travel specials you won't find anywhere else online -- they're only available when you sign up here.
The travel company goes out of business
A recent news item illustrates this scenario perfectly: A number of people were left in the lurch financially when a tour company suddenly stopped taking their calls. They then discovered the companies had never made their reservations and all of their deposit money was gone. While most travel companies are reputable and go the extra mile for their customers, there are scammers too -- and they can be hard to spot.
Trip insurance that covers financial default helps you recoup your expenses in these scenarios. With the help of assistance services, you should also be able to reschedule the trip with another company.
You miss your connection
You’re on you're way to Paris for a two-week European tour when you discover the connecting flight in Boston is going to be delayed. If you miss the connection, you will miss the tour departure. How will you catch up to the tour group?
With missed connection coverage, you can take another flight, on another airline if necessary, to meet the tour departure, or catch up to the tour at the next stop. You’ll also have travel assistance services to help you arrange and pay for those travel changes.
Your baggage gets delayed, lost, stolen or damaged
You step off the plane into a glorious tropical atmosphere to start a romantic vacation for your 25th wedding anniversary. You make your way with the other passengers to baggage claim where you wait for your luggage to rumble out onto the carousel. You wait... and wait... and wait... All of the other passengers grab their luggage. The claim area empties. Your bags are nowhere to be seen.
Great. What a way to start a romantic holiday.
But wait! All is NOT lost! With coverage for luggage that is lost, delayed, stolen, or damaged, you’ll be reimbursed for new clothes and personal items. You can even get reimbursed for a suitcase so you can take your new stuff home.
If your luggage was merely delayed, the insurance company's 24/7 Travel Assistance Service will help locate your bags and reimburse you for the essential items you needed to start enjoying your vacation.
Your passport gets lost
You're ordering an Uber in Barcelona when you discover your passport missing, and you realize you must have left it at the restaurant that afternoon.
Coverage for lost passports expedites the process of replacing and paying for a new passport.
A natural disaster hits your destination
You're getting ready to hit the beach when the hotel personnel warns you that a hurricane is heading for the island and you have to evacuate immediately. What happens to all of the money you poured into this vacation?
Travel insurance protection for weather damage helps you recover your pre-paid costs. And the travel assistance services will also help you arrange a way to get the heck outta there! Some insurance policies don't cover hurricanes, so be sure to check.
You get sick or injured while traveling
It certainly wasn't your plan to break your leg on your European ski vacation, but sometimes, stuff just happens. And when it does, emergency medical expenses are hefty.
Medical expense coverage will cover you for accidents and emergency medical and dental care when you travel abroad. Even if you are covered for basic emergency care overseas through your health insurance (a big "IF"), your current health insurance provider will almost certainly NOT pay to evacuate you and bring you back to the U.S.
You need emergency medical evacuation/repatriation
You're touring the Alps when your spouse suddenly falls ill with dizziness and a high fever. You need to get to a medical facility fast.
Medical evacuation coverage provides for medically necessary evacuation to a medical facility, medically equipped flights to return home, or the repatriation of mortal remains to your primary residence.
A terrorist event occurs
You've been planning a trip to Sri Lanka when your travel agent calls to say that travel there has been banned because of terrorist attacks. What will happen now, will you lose all of the money you've already paid?
With Terrorism Coverage, you can cancel your trip and recoup the money you’ve spent.
You're traveling with a pet
Your aunt Geri's Yorkie is far more friend than pet, and she insists on bringing the pooch everywhere. So when Geri has the opportunity to take an extended vacation in the UK, Maggie the Yorkie travels along with her. But two weeks into the vacation, Geri falls very ill and is taken to the hospital. What's to become of Maggie while Geri's in the hospital?
Pet care coverage provides assistance services to coordinate your pet’s safe return home if something happens to you. It’s not a widely advertised perk of travel insurance packages, so if you're traveling with a furry family member, be sure to ask about it.
If you're planning to stay awhile
Your folks are snowbirds who like to take extended vacations in balmy climates during the arctic blast of winter. You want to be sure they're taken care of in case of illness or injury, and Medicare offers very little coverage outside the U.S.
Extended stay travel insurance was designed just for this purpose. It's essential for anyone on fixed incomes who can’t afford unexpected surprises, and the premiums are quite reasonable, even for travelers with pre-existing health issues.
You want your travel to be as relaxing and efficient as possible, right? Travel insurance can go a long way toward that by giving you peace of mind. In most cases, your travels with go without a hitch. You won't have to worry about getting ill, injured, or caught up in a weather or terror event. But if you do, the last thing you want is to be stuck there without the support or financial means to get help and flown home.
For that reason alone, travel insurance is worth every cent.
