Are you planning your next vacation and wondering if travel insurance is worth it? As a travel advisor, I can tell you that purchasing travel insurance is an essential part of the planning process. Here are just a few reasons why you need travel insurance for your next trip:
Protection for trip cancellation or interruption: Life can be unpredictable, and you never know when something might come up that prevents you from going on your trip. Travel insurance can provide coverage for trip cancellation or interruption due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, severe weather, or even a death in the family. Don’t waste your time worrying when something emergent happens in your family, just know that it’s covered.
Medical coverage while abroad: Medical expenses can be exorbitant, especially if you need medical attention while traveling overseas. Travel insurance can provide coverage for medical expenses, as well as emergency evacuation in case you need to be transported to a medical facility.
Lost or stolen luggage: Losing your luggage can be a major inconvenience, and it can also be costly to replace the items that were in it. Listen, I never recommend packing your super high dollar items but it can still get pricey having to buy everything new while in the destination. Travel insurance can provide coverage for lost or stolen luggage, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your personal belongings are protected.
24/7 emergency assistance: Travel insurance often comes with a 24/7 emergency assistance hotline, which can provide you with valuable information and support in case of an emergency. This can include anything from providing you with a list of local emergency contacts to helping you navigate local laws and customs. Many who purchase travel insurance never take advantage of these amazing benefits, don’t let that be you!
Legal protection: Some travel insurance policies also provide coverage for legal expenses in case you are involved in an accident or incident while traveling. This can be especially important if you are involved in a car accident or other legal incident in a foreign country.
Examples – Ok I know sometimes it’s easy to hear all of the reasons listed out all pretty but let’s talk about issues that can arise if you DON’T use travel insurance.
Storytime!
A couple decided to take a month-long trip to Europe without purchasing travel insurance through my colleague. During their trip, the wife fell ill and had to be hospitalized. The medical expenses were extremely high and the couple had to pay out of pocket. Additionally, they had to cut their trip short and return home, missing out on the rest of their planned itinerary. The couple’s lack of travel insurance ended up causing them a significant financial burden, as well as ruining their trip. If the couple had purchased travel insurance, they could have been covered for their medical expenses and potentially compensated for the interruption of their trip.
Or how about my dear clients who planned to head to Puerto Rico during the 2022 Festive season? Yes, the one where Southwest completely lost it and grounded all flights for days. Switching to another airline was going to cost almost half of their total trip budget for ONE WAY! We exhausted every option over Christmas week and ultimately they decided to cancel. While we were so heartbroken it would have been far worse if their entire trip had not been covered by Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance (or CFAR as we Travel folk like to call it.)
Travel insurance is an important part of the travel planning process that can offer you protection and peace of mind. As a travel advisor, I will help you to find the right policy that fits your travel needs and budget. Whether you are planning a trip for leisure or business, buying a travel insurance policy is one of the best ways to protect your investment and ensure a stress-free trip. Don’t let unexpected events ruin your vacation, consider buying travel insurance before your next trip.
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