Many people do not buy travel insurance before their vacations. This could be a bad decision because they are not covering themselves in case of emergencies which could be extremely costly. They may think they are covered by medical insurance, credit cards, or other forms of insurance. The truth is that these forms of insurance rarely cover everything.
Before you set off on your next vacation, consider the following reasons why you should consider buying travel insurance.
1. Your Medical Insurance May Not Cover You
It’s crucial to have travel insurance when you travel internationally. Many people who live in the United States are surprised to learn that they need to purchase additional travel coverage when traveling internationally. They think that they will be covered through their health insurance or their credit card company in case of emergencies, but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Many insurance policies have exclusions for international travel or have extremely high out-of-network copays and deductibles. Make sure to do your research in advance to ensure you have the coverage you need if you are sick or injured abroad.
2. You May Need Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Coverage
Many people think that their medical insurance will pay for an emergency evacuation if they have a medical emergency while traveling overseas, but this is not always the case. Some policies only cover you if you have a medical emergency while in the United States, and others only cover evacuation within a certain distance from your home location. It is best to purchase travel insurance that covers medical evacuations and repatriation expenses so that you are covered no matter where you are in the world.
3. Your Passport and Travel Documents May Be Lost or Stolen
Another important thing to consider when traveling abroad is losing your passport or travel documents, which can be extremely costly if you need a replacement. Some passports may cost hundreds of dollars to replace and take weeks to process. It’s best to purchase travel insurance that covers lost or stolen passports, so you are covered if this happens while on vacation abroad.
4. Your Trip May Be Interrupted or Cancelled
You never know what could happen while traveling abroad. If something unexpected happens that prevents you from continuing with your trip, travel insurance can help cover the cost of a flight home or an alternative vacation. Some policies also offer additional coverage for lost baggage as well as medical expenses related to injuries sustained during the delay or cancellation of your trip. It’s best to make sure you have this type of coverage in case anything goes wrong.
5. Your Travel May Be Delayed
Travel insurance can help protect you from weather-related delays or cancellations. If you are traveling abroad, you never know what could happen. Snowstorms or other weather-related issues could delay or cancel your trip. Travel insurance can help cover expenses related to travel issues like this. Additionally, some policies offer coverage for lost baggage and medical expenses in the event of an injury sustained during a delay or cancellation.
Travel insurance may not be the most exciting part of your vacation planning. Still, it is worth it to protect yourself from financial losses in the event of an emergency. If you are traveling abroad, make sure that your travel insurance covers medical evacuations and repatriation expenses, as well as lost or stolen passports. It’s also a good idea to invest in trip interruption coverage so that you can be reimbursed for any non-refundable costs if something unexpected happens while on vacation. A little planning before your trip can provide you with the peace of mind that you will be covered in case of an emergency.
