- Travel insurance can be complicated, but if you have travel expenses that the insurance will cover, it’s worth getting.
- If you’re going on a road trip and staying in places where accommodation is free, you may not need travel insurance.
- If you are traveling outside the country, you will likely need travel insurance.
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If you’re planning on traveling anywhere this summer, you’re probably thinking about purchasing travel insurance.
That’s the case for Kingsley Hopkins, who is heading to Portugal and Iceland with his girlfriend and wants to be prepared for medical emergencies, trip interruptions and even “if a volcano erupts.”
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But getting the right travel insurance can be complicated — there’s no one-size-fits-all policy — and Hopkins, an assistant editor at a New York book publisher, spends a lot of time figuring out how to protect her summer vacation.
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Perhaps you are too.
Why is it hard to find the right travel insurance?
Most surveys predict this summer will be a record summer for travel. How record? Demand is so high that some airlines are worried they’ll run out of planes. it is busy.
At the same time, with wars in Europe and the Middle East, and frequent natural disasters such as hurricanes and volcanic eruptions, and danger and uncertainty lurking around every corner, it’s no wonder people are thinking seriously about insurance.
Older travelers are especially worried — and they should be, says CEO PK Rao. INF Visitor CareClaims from travelers over 50 spike in the summer.
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“Our claims data shows that medical emergencies tend to increase during the summer months, especially among people taking trips that involve outdoor activities,” he said.
But there are plenty of options out there, including credit card coverage, medical evacuation membership programs, and stand-alone travel insurance. What should you sign up for?
I need peace of mind
But don’t start reflexively thinking about buying travel insurance this summer – instead, look for peace of mind that you’ll be taken care of if something goes wrong.
“Knowing you’re protected from unexpected travel issues like delays, lost baggage or even medical emergencies makes traveling that much more enjoyable,” airline spokesman Daniel Durazo said. Allianz Partners USA.
Ultimately, there are several ways to get the peace of mind you need, and sometimes it’s okay to not have travel insurance.
When you don’t need insurance
Here’s when you might not need travel insurance, according to experts:
- If you already have insurance. “You may already have travel insurance through workplace benefits, a credit card, or a group benefit from your organization,” says Jiten Puri, CEO of PolicyAdvisor.com. If so, you don’t need to purchase additional coverage. You’re all set.
- Unless you’re not traveling far. If you’re staying somewhere where accommodation is free, like a relative’s couch on a road trip, there’s little need to insure yourself. “If you already have health insurance, chances are your domestic travel insurance will cover you, so you don’t need to think about health insurance coverage,” says CEO Joe Cronin. International Citizens Insurance.
- If your trip is not insured. Traditional travel insurance covers traditional travel, including prepaid, non-refundable elements like airfare and hotel accommodations. You may already have coverage in your medical insurance, or you may find that your travel is basically not covered by your insurance.
So if an online travel agent offers you optional travel insurance when you book your trip, think twice before saying “yes” to it – you might not need it.
When you need travel insurance
But most travelers should consider getting some sort of travel insurance this summer. You’ll need extra coverage if:
- Any travel expenses will be covered by insurance. “If you have a lot of upfront, non-refundable expenses, it’s best to purchase travel insurance,” said company spokesperson Lauren Gumport. Faye Travel Insurance“This includes flights, hotel rooms, tickets, activities, etc.” The more general your vacation, the more likely your travel insurance will cover nearly every aspect of your summer vacation.
- If you leave the country. “Regular health insurance may not provide coverage across borders,” said John Rose, chief risk and security officer at the company. ArthurAlso, many countries require travel insurance upon entry. This includes Bermuda, Qatar, Sri Lanka, and some European countries.
- If you can’t afford to miss out on a trip. “When considering travel insurance for your summer getaway, evaluate whether you can afford to lose your vacation investment due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, weather upsets or emergencies,” explained Robert Gallagher, president of the Insurance Institute. American Travel Insurance Association (USTIA) “Can you afford the financial risk if you miss your cruise due to a covered flight delay? What if you have to cut your trip short due to illness?”
One of the most common mistakes travelers make is assuming their credit card will cover them. For example, when I recently rented a car in Tampa, I found that my credit card was completely useless because it only covered the rental car as a supplemental insurance. I had to purchase a separate insurance from Allianz to cover the vehicle.
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How one traveller insured his summer holiday
So how did Hopkins handle his travel insurance needs? Like we said, it’s complicated.
Hopkins said he always purchases travel insurance before traveling, but explained that “prices and coverage vary.”
In this case, he decides that spending a few extra dollars is all he needs for peace of mind: he books fully refundable flights and hotels in case something goes wrong, which will avoid the lengthy claims process with his travel insurance company and credit card company.
However, due to his busy schedule, he needed at least $50,000 for medical expenses in the event of an emergency evacuation.
“I’m going to do a lot of hiking in Iceland,” he says. “You never know what’s going to happen.”
Earlier this year, he decided to buy a yearbook. Meget Horizon This plan is a membership that provides transportation from a hospital in Portugal or Iceland to a hospital in your home if something happens.
For insurance purposes, Hopkins Travel Insurance.com I searched for affordable travel insurance and found one through Trawick International that would cover up to $50,000 in medical expenses and up to $200,000 in evacuation expenses.
“I’ve heard good things about them,” he said. “Hopefully, we won’t need them.”
How do I insure my trip?
I travel about 360 days a year, so peace of mind is always on my mind. I currently use a Wells Fargo credit card with great travel rewards, and I have long-term insurance with Fay and Cigna that’s worked out pretty well. I’ve also been a long-time member of Mejet Horizon. If I rent a car, I turn to Allianz for my base insurance.
I know. It’s Many Peace of mind.
But I’ve run into problems and had to use many of those policies: Medjet flew me home during the pandemic, Cigna paid for me after a serious skiing accident in Switzerland, and my old Allianz policy covered medical expenses when I went to see a doctor in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a few years ago.
As we always say, if you are fully insured, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Christopher Elliott Author, consumer advocate and journalist. Elliot AdvocacyA non-profit organization that helps solve consumer problems. Elliot Confidentialtravel newsletters, and The Elliott Reporta news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer issue, Click here to contact him or by email [email protected].
