Written byMarissa Sutera
24
As you prepare for that big trip you have coming up, there is likelyextensive planning involved. Booking your flight and lodging, figuring out what to pack, researching how to get around, determining what activities you want to do… the list can go on and on. One of the most important things to have on your list that can be easy to overlook is travel insurance. It may seem like an unnecessary way to spend your money, but travel insurance can really pay off if something unfortunate were to happen.
Why Buy Travel Insurance?
It’s always good to be on the safe side when it comes to travel insurance. You never know when something bad could occur,and especially when traveling you want to make sure you are prepared. Whether you get sick, injured, lose your expensive camera, or need to cancel your flight, you can rest assured that you have travel insurance to cover you. Betting on your health is never worth it since accidents can happen at any time.
Be prepared for injuries during activities like hiking
What’s the Difference Between Regular and Travel Insurance?
When traveling internationally, your regular travel insurance likely will not cover you when an accidenthappens. However, it is worth checking first with your current insurance provider to find out if coverage extends overseas since insurance companies and policies can vary widely. With that said, there is a lot more that travel insurance covers that a typical health insurance policy will not. In addition to coverage for accidents and illnesses, travel insurance can cover damage or theft of expensive equipment, trip cancellation, or last minute flights home if a family member passes away.
How to Choose a Travel Insurance Plan?
If you plan to be traveling long term or many times throughout the year, purchasing travel insurance online may be your best bet. There are plenty of options out there so it’s important to understand what makes the most sense for you to look forin a travel insurance plan, or to request if you are putting together a custom plan.
Medical coverage is of course the most important, especially having emergencyevacuations covered as they can be very costly. You also want to be covered forstolen, lost, or damaged possessions so you are not left without your luggage/backpack or other necessities. Finally, if you are traveling with a laptop or other expensive equipment you want to be sure they arecovered. There are typically supplemental plans offered specifically for these types of items, and if you have home insurance you can also check with your company to find outif your gear is already covered by that plan.
While this is by no means an all inclusive list, there is no way around spending time to do research on the travel insurance plan that fits best for you. Although I hope you never actually have to use the travel insurance, you will certainly not regret purchasing it anything were to happen.
Haveyou ever needed to make use of your travel insurance? Share in the comments below how it came in handy for you while traveling!
Related
adventureinternationaljourneysafetytourismTraveltravel abroadtravel insurancetravel planning
Further Reading...
Day 2: Ireland
June 7, 2012
Why Every Traveler Needs a Push Pin Travel Map
November 2, 2017
Why You Shouldn’t Skimp on Travel Insurance
December 21, 2015
24 Comments
Lauren
October 19, 2015 at 10:10 pm
I haven’t had travel health insurance yet, but all this great info is definitely making it a possibility. I had no idea you could do a yearly plan! Thanks for sharing.
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Marissa Sutera
November 1, 2015 at 8:07 am
Glad to hear you found it useful! It’s definitely a worthwhile investment to be prepared for the worst case scenario.
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Maaike
March 23, 2015 at 5:07 am
This is such a great article, because I still often get questions about this from friends and family who don’t travel as regularly. I’m actually amazed that the information about this isn’t that easy to find and well-known, because it is so important! I would never go to another country without a decent travel insurance.
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Marissa Sutera
March 23, 2015 at 9:15 am
Same here, it really is shocking how difficult it can be to not only find the information but then to determine the best plans based on your travels. It can be a major help having travel insurance to prepare for the worst-case-scenario!
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Adelina
February 26, 2015 at 10:42 am
I’m firmly in the “you need travel insurance” camp. I’ve used it a couple times while abroad. You really never know what could possibly happen and its good to be prepared.
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Marissa Sutera
February 27, 2015 at 3:07 pm
That’s a great mindset to have. It’s always better to be prepared than have to pay exorbitant amounts out of pocket if something unfortunate were to happen!
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elaine schoch
February 25, 2015 at 8:35 pm
Travel insurance is important but I think people there are several insurance carriers that cover your costs overseas if you need it. Also, if you book your trips with certain credit cards you are covered for several things that way too.
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Marissa Sutera
February 27, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Yes your current insurance and/or credit cards may include some coverage. There are so many different options out there that’s why it’s always important to check with them first to see if everything you need will be covered! Thanks for stopping by Elaine!
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SJ
February 25, 2015 at 2:15 pm
Ooooh yes this is a total travel must! Thanks for joining us for #SundayTraveler
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Marissa Sutera
February 27, 2015 at 3:04 pm
It sure is! Thanks for stopping by SJ!
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Bryna
February 24, 2015 at 9:25 pm
I never cared about travel insurance until recently. I’ve heard one too many stories of coworkers going on holidays and then unexpectedly breaking an arm or having to make a trip to the emergency room!
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Marissa Sutera
February 27, 2015 at 3:08 pm
You really never know what could happen, so it’s always good to be prepared!
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Jess
February 22, 2015 at 8:50 pm
I always make sure I have travel insurance! I haven’t had to use it yet, but it makes me feel a lot safer to know I’m prepared.
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Marissa Sutera
February 23, 2015 at 9:10 am
Same here. I’d rather be prepared than have to pay for the effects of an accident out of pocket!
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RobRob
February 22, 2015 at 8:25 pm
Good advice! I call this “the creative application of Murphy’s Law.” You know, whatever you’re least prepared for will happen. Conversely, if you’re prepared for disaster, it seems to never happen. I’m okay with having “wasted” that money on insurance I never needed! 😉
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Marissa Sutera
February 23, 2015 at 9:09 am
So true! I’d rather play it safe and not need the travel insurance!
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Fairlie
February 22, 2015 at 3:39 pm
I would never travel without travel insurance…and we have an annual policy as we travel for both work and leisure often during a year. It is really important to read the fine print of any policies…as I did quite a bit of research to find the best policy for us, and was astounded at how different the coverage was between seemingly similar policies.
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Marissa Sutera
February 22, 2015 at 6:17 pm
It’s amazing how fine of a line there is between different policies. Good thing you did your research! A lot of people tend to overlook how big those differences can be.
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Zita
February 22, 2015 at 2:58 am
I have never (touch wood) needed to make a claim but I would never leave home without it!!
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Marissa Sutera
February 22, 2015 at 8:20 am
Same here! It’s always good to be prepared 🙂
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Shelby
February 21, 2015 at 12:49 pm
My husband and I long to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. Travel insurance would be practically mandatory for such a hike, because if we were injured on the mountain, the only evacuation method is helicopter to a hospital, and that would take the rest of our lives to pay off. Also, I love that hiking picture you featured. Gorgeous view!
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Marissa Sutera
February 22, 2015 at 8:20 am
Thanks Shelby! It would really be essential for such a trip (and one that I have wanted to do myself!) I hope you get to do the hike soon!
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Carmen | Carmen's Luxury Travel
February 21, 2015 at 8:55 am
I agree I think it’s important to have Travelers Insurance, especially if you are traveling abroad to another foreign country. We had an issue once when my husbands suitcase got lost and they reimburse us for the expenses of having to buy new clothes for him.
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Marissa Sutera
February 22, 2015 at 8:17 am
Yikes that sounds like a nightmare, but at least you were covered! We never want to have to use it but it sure does come in handy when you do 🙂
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