Traveling is a great deal of fun, but there’s no denying that there’s some risk involved when it comes to your belongings. Your luggage, your possessions and your trip are all at stake. According to Today.com, nearly 30 percent of Americans purchase travel insurance before a trip. A staggering 70 percent purchase insurance before a cruise. So, why do these travelers feel that travel insurance is so important?
Illness
The unexpected can happen at any time, and you need to be prepared for that. If you fall ill on a trip and don’t have insurance, you may still be responsible for all of the costs yet enjoy none of the fun. What a disappointment! With travel insurance, however, you can have peace of mind if you have to cut your trip short due to illness.
Unexpected Weather
The weather regularly delays flights and other modes of transportation, especially during the winter months. The weather can make you miss a departure altogether if you’ve booked a cruise that must leave port at a certain time. Also, if your flight is delayed, you may find yourself in need of a hotel room that you didn’t plan on paying for. Travel insurance protects you from these additional costs, so you’re prepared no matter what the weather conditions are.
Lost Luggage
Losing your luggage can be a serious problem. Not only will you not have access to your clothes, but you may have valuables in your luggage like a laptop, a tablet device or smartphone, jewelry and other things that would be expensive to replace. Baggage insurance can’t help you find your luggage, but it can help you with purchasing lost items so that you’re not paying those costs out of pocket.
Lost Medication
Some travelers have special medical needs that require frequent medication. When your luggage has been lost, traveler’s health insurance can get you an emergency prescription refill quickly. This is a must for people with serious health conditions because going without your medications can put your health in grave danger.
Medical Emergencies
Should you become ill or injured in a foreign country, traveler’s insurance can get you the prompt medical care you need. After all, the medical insurance that you have at home may not cover you in a foreign country. Many hospitals in these countries will admit you, but will not let you leave until your bill is paid. This type of insurance will help facilitate payment and ensure that you’re not overcharged for medical services. For senior travellers it’s highly recommendet to look for a travel insurance cover for over 70s. It’s important because the over 70s travel insurance policy may include cover for complex medical conditions including cancer, heart attack and leukaemia. So, just be prepared.
Types of Travel Insurance
As you can see from the above situations, there are different types of travel insurance available. These include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, health care insurance, baggage insurance, non-refundable insurance, extreme sports insurance, credit card coverage and more. Flight insurance is also available but is generally not recommended for most travelers, as it is the most expensive, and flying is still a relatively safe mode of travel. If it will make you feel better to know that your family is protected in case the plane crashes, however, flight insurance can be a good investment in those cases. It’s also a smart purchase if you’re the sole income earner for your household and will be a good supplement to your regular life insurance policy.
For frequent travelers and especially those who have spent an large amount on their trips, travel insurance is a must. It helps protect your health, your travel investment and your belongings. It will give you great peace of mind knowing that you’re taken care of even when the unexpected happens.
