Should I buy travel insurance?
It’s a question I hear often…
As an experienced travel advisor, I’ve guided many clients through their journeys across the globe. One piece of advice I share with every traveler—whether you’re embarking on a sun-soaked Mediterranean cruise or a rugged adventure through South America—is this: always purchase travel insurance.
Imagine you’ve been planning your dream vacation for months, maybe even years. Your travel advisor has mapped out the perfect itinerary, secured your flights, and your excitement is building. But what if an unexpected event throws a wrench in your carefully laid plans? A family emergency, a sudden illness, a canceled flight, or even lost luggage can quickly turn a dream trip into a stressful ordeal. Travel insurance is your safety net, protecting both your investment and your peace of mind.
Travel insurance is not just a smart idea, but an essential part of any trip. The benefits are substantial, but here I will highlight what I believe are some of the most important ones:
Trip Cancellation and Interruption: Life is unpredictable. If you need to cancel your trip due to illness, work obligations, or unforeseen circumstances, travel insurance can reimburse your non-refundable deposits and prepaid expenses. This really resonates with me. Last summer, my husband and I had planned a dream trip to France for our anniversary. The day before the trip, a dear family member passed away. We would never contemplate missing the funeral services or the opportunity to be present with our loved ones during such a challenging period. Because we purchased travel insurance, we avoided the extra stress that canceling the trip would have caused if we had lost thousands of dollars on a trip we couldn't take.
Trip Delay: Imagine you are set to go on that bucket list trip that you’ve been waiting years or even decades to embark on. Maybe it’s a cruise you’ve saved up for. The day before your cruise, your flight to get you to the cruise port is canceled, and there are no other available flights that will get you to your destination on time. You may be forced to miss your dream trip, which is obviously a huge disappointment! However, if you were smart enough to purchase travel insurance, you may just be able to recover that money and reschedule your plans for a future date.
Medical Emergencies Abroad: Your personal health insurance often doesn’t extend beyond your home country. If you get sick or injured abroad, medical bills could be astronomical. Travel insurance covers those unexpected expenses, ensuring you get the care you need without breaking the bank.
Lost or Delayed Luggage: Lost bags aren’t just inconvenient—they can disrupt your entire trip. Insurance helps recover lost belongings or provides funds for essentials if your bags are delayed. I once learned a very hard lesson on this particular issue. My family of five was traveling from Dublin to London, and three of our suitcases never made it onto the plane. This resulted in four days in London without any of our belongings. Unfortunately, we had NOT purchased travel insurance for that particular trip. We had no choice but to go out and buy clothing and other essential items. Granted, many airlines will offer a daily stipend if they are at fault in a case like this, but the process can be burdensome, and funds are not guaranteed. That was the last time I traveled without the protection that travel insurance provides.
Peace of Mind: Traveling is about creating beautiful memories, not worrying about what-ifs. With a good travel insurance policy, you’re covered against a wide range of mishaps, letting you focus on enjoying your journey.
Additional benefits that some insurers provide: two coverages that are important to consider are medical repatriation and security evacuation. Medical repatriation benefit helps you to be transported back to your home country in case of a medical event. It can mean an air ambulance or a commercial flight with a medical escort. Let’s face it, not every country in the world has the same level of medical care. If you are injured or sick and need hospital care, this type of plan will help transport you to your hospital of choice. Security evacuation covers incidents such as natural disasters, military action, or terrorist threats. In today’s world, you can never be too protected.
I believe in travel as a force for joy, exploration, and enrichment. Protecting your trip with travel insurance is not about expecting the worst—it’s about being prepared for life’s curveballs so you can travel confidently, wherever your wanderlust takes you.
Before your next departure, talk to us about a policy that fits your needs. The peace of mind is worth every penny—and your adventure deserves nothing less.
Safe travels!
