You have just spent the past 12 months planning for a big trip, paid thousands of dollars, spent hours planning, and have been counting down the days until your departure, and then… You can’t get time off work, or you fall and need to have surgery.
You may think that this will never happen to you, but any interruption could occur before or during your trip, and it is best to be prepared! Travel protection is the best way to ensure your trip and finances are covered - and it is a big stress reliever.
You might be asking yourself, “why do I need travel protection, and is it worth that extra cost?” It is! Here are 5 reasons why travel protection is a must.
Reason #1 - Don’t lose your vacation investment.
You have just spent $10,000 on a luxury honeymoon trip to take after your wedding day, a once-in-a-lifetime trip you have been saving for years to go on. However, at the wedding, your mother falls, and you delay your honeymoon to care for her in the hospital. If you were to call the hotel or cruise line, they would likely show you sympathy; however, you would not be getting your investment back. If your insurance policy includes this type of trip cancellation benefit, you would be eligible for reimbursement for your prepaid expenses. This is a significant reason why travel protection is a must!
Reason #2 - There are affordable options.
Cost is a significant reason why people don’t buy travel insurance and is perfectly understandable. The thousands of dollars you just spent on your trip may have been a financial burden to start, and then to find out you have to pay more on travel protection can be a difficult pill to swallow.
What you may not know is that there are affordable options with the same quality coverage! There are many customizable packages so you can make decisions based on what you need and can afford.
Reason #3 - Medical emergencies can be expensive. Even the healthiest and most active people can suffer a medical emergency. Consider a simple scenario that you are driving your rental car at your destination and someone else causes a crash, leaving you with a broken arm. Unfortunately, many foreign hospitals won’t accept your U.S. health insurance, and you would have to pay for your hospital visit upfront. Emergency medical benefits are usually provided with your travel protection, and additional coverage options can be added. So when you start thinking about the cost of travel protection and if it is worth it, think about the thousands of dollars you might have to spend if a medical emergency occurs.
Reason #4 - Avoid something small from ruining your trip.
A vacation is all about happiness and relaxation. Starting your vacation with a canceled flight or missing bag can put a major wrench in your good mood. Travel insurance benefits can help with these situations, such as reimbursement of additional expenses due to missed flights or coverage on baggage delays. Small common travel mishaps can happen, and many insurance policies have benefits to address these issues, so check your plan to see what’s included.
Reason #5 - The State Department advises you to do so!
The State Department advises travelers to carry travel insurance when they leave the country, especially policies that include emergency medical benefits. This is because most Americans will contact the US. Embassy for help when abroad, but their staff and services are limited. They would not be able to pay for your emergency medical care or transportation, which can be an incredibly high amount. However, if you have travel insurance coverage, you would be able to put your mind at ease during a stressful emergency.
I help clients celebrate life occasions through travel. When you're ready, schedule a quick “hello” chat or email us, and we'll help you select the right travel protection for a stress-free vacation. Let's make your travel dreams come true.