One Important Mistake Travelers Make Is....

Not Buying Trip Insurance!

I know everyone’s always excited about their vacation plans and where they’re going while also concerned about the cost. Some people choose to overlook the need for trip insurance and some don’t understand it’s value or how to choose the right one for them. We all have preconceived ideas about the importance of insurance or lack thereof. I, personally, am an insurance girl. I believe in it and although I hate paying for it (among 10 other bills) I understand it’s importance and the protection it affords me. Let’s discuss what trip insurance is all about when you should purchase it, and why.

Unforeseen Situations

There are many examples of when trip insurance is a necessity and many where you’re just grateful you had it.

None of us plan to get hurt or ill while we are traveling. Unfortunately, we don’t always get what we want. You never know when appendicitis is going to pop up, or you tripping over that rock while on your tour, or you slip on a patch of ice in Budapest like I did in December. Miscellaneous pains are easily handled by seeing a doctor or visiting the pharmacy. As costs are minimal and out of pocket wouldn’t it be nice to be reimbursed. Something like appendicitis, on the other hand, requires hospitalization. Who is paying for that? If you’re traveling outside of the US most insurances are invalid and you’re totally on your own and an abundance of countries require payment upfront before any services are rendered, including surgery.

Wherever you live in the United States there is always a possibility of weather delays. It could be tornadoes in the Midwest, nor’easter’s in the Northeast, hurricanes in the Southeast, or wildfires on the West Coast. These all have ways of affecting our travel especially since most of the airlines have hubs in different cities all over the country. While the weather might be beautiful where you are, the airport your plane is supposed to be flying from could be shut down due to weather. The only thing worse than a delayed flight is a canceled one. I mean how bad could it be right. As bad as starting your vacation a day, two, or three days later knowing you have paid for those days and nights even though you were not there. As bad as having to stay another night or longer on your vacation while paying for the extra night/s or not being able to return to work on time. Even better yet is staying on vacation and all the hotels are booked up or available at a premium price! Maybe the worst is having your flight canceled during your layover in unknown city or country. Did you know that airlines are not responsible to provide any food or hotel vouchers for weather delays? Last March, when New York was getting hit practically every week with a snowstorm shutting down all three major airports, my flight was canceled from Johannesburg to JFK. Many on my flight were rebooked on flights three and four days later. I was able to grab a flight on another airline for my son and I the next day and I was reimbursed for both seats on the new flight.

I have heard from some clients “I’m going on vacation no matter what” and although you might truly feel that way sometimes there unforeseen circumstances which make it impossible. The no matter what doesn’t include the car accident you had on the way to the airport (remember someone could hit you) or a week earlier. It doesn’t include the unexpected death of an immediate family member or a layoff from your job. It doesn’t include a medical diagnosis that keeps you from getting on a plane or leaving the country. And it doesn’t include a fire in your home or 1 million other things that we think would never happen to us but do truly happen to someone on a daily basis.

After missing out on your dream vacation how would you handle the loss of your financial investment?

Insurance Coverage

OK now that we’ve gotten past all the stuff that we’d like to avoid here’s what you get when you purchase trip insurance. It can cover hospitalizations, seeing the ship doctor on a cruise, the cost of medicine in the pharmacy, reimbursement on hotel nights, meals during your delay, taxi/Uber fare, lost luggage, and even the entire cost of your trip (excluding the trip insurance premium). Some coverages also include emergency and medical evacuation. Its purpose is to make you whole financially. So you’re sold now the question is: Where should you purchase your trip insurance from?

All Trip Insurance Is Not Created Equal

Trip insurance is often offered when you purchase an airline ticket or make a hotel reservation. This type usually only covers the ticket you purchased or the reservation you made but not the entire trip and often doesn’t include medical coverage. Options like this are great for traveling domestically. There often is trip insurance through your credit card company that also is limited in coverage so be sure you read exactly what is covered. You may purchase cruise insurance which at times is limited to a partial refund or future cruise credit. Last but not least is trip insurance directly from an insurance agency such as Travel Guard, Allianz, and Travelex. Insurance companies offer many types of coverage to meet most people’s needs. Coverage is also different for those in different states so it is always best to thoroughly read through the coverage provided to you in your state of residence.

Well, there you have it! An informative blog post about one of the most boring topics regarding travel which may save you thousands of dollars one day. Don’t thank me now, just buy it!

Have you ever had a vacation flight canceled? Did you or someone you know get sick overseas? Let us know in the comments below. If you enjoyed this post and found it informative remember sharing is caring!

Travel Well

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