Traveling is an exciting way to learn and broaden one’s horizons. However, while traveling, there can be potential risks that travelers never foresee in their journey. Travel insurance can help mitigate troubles if travelers find themselves in unfavorable situations.
Insurance is considered a preventive service, often placed at the bottom of the priority list when preparing for a trip. However, health is our most valuable asset and therefore, purchasing suitable travel insurance should be a priority. Depending on the insurance company’s policy, coverage, and costs, international travel insurance typically covers expenses arising from illness, injury during the trip, emergency evacuation due to natural disasters, flight interruptions, cancellations, passport loss, lost luggage, and other potential risks. Although purchasing travel insurance may add an extra financial burden, the following reasons might change a traveler’s perspective:
1. Lost luggage:
Losing luggage is a common occurrence, especially for travelers on long flights or transits through multiple airports. With travel insurance, if luggage goes missing, travelers can file a claim with the insurance provider and get compensated for lost items. If luggage is delayed, reimbursement for essential personal items during the waiting period is covered.
While traveling, you meet interesting people. However, not everyone you encounter may be friendly. Encountering thieves could result in losing personal belongings. In such cases, most insurance companies have hotlines to provide assistance, guide through procedures, and cover expenses for reissuing documents like passports, visas, plane tickets, or other incurred costs.
2. Delayed or canceled flights:
In case of flight delays or cancellations, travelers spend considerable time waiting at the airport and might miss their connecting flights. They end up purchasing new tickets, pay for hotel rooms, meals, etc., adding unexpected costs to the entire trip. With travel insurance, travelers won’t have to cover these bills while waiting and might even get a refund if the flight gets canceled.
3. Natural disasters:
Natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, or hazardous weather conditions can disrupt or even cancel an entire trip. In such situations, emergency evacuation services are necessary to leave the disaster-struck area, possibly by various means, even by plane. Without insurance and insufficient funds for emergency evacuation, travelers could face health and life-threatening situations, potentially incurring more significant expenses than with travel insurance. Facing health emergencies or accidents while traveling and requiring emergency rescue or medical transportation is similarly costly.
4. Medical treatment abroad:
Even if you have insurance at home, most life insurance policies do not cover medical treatment abroad. Moreover, in many countries, medical treatment can be exorbitantly expensive, and hospitals or clinics may refuse treatment without international health insurance or sufficient funds to pay the bill. Therefore, considering purchasing travel insurance, including international health insurance, for peace of mind if you fall ill or get injured during your trip. Every international insurance provider offers a hotline for customers to contact, receive specific medical care instructions, or other requests. If you travel frequently, you should consider buying a family travel insurance package.
5. Ensuring safety for the entire family:
If you frequently travel with your spouse or the whole family, including parents or children, travel insurance is crucial. When traveling with the family, the likelihood of incidents might be higher, and you want to ensure the safety of your loved ones.
Registering for an annual family travel insurance package can save you a significant amount. Some insurance companies offer unexpected discounts for you and your family’s trips within 365 days. Remember, “Safety comes first.”
6. Regular car rental during travel:
If you habitually rent cars for self-driven travels, you may have to compensate a substantial amount to the car rental company for damages or losses due to collisions, accidents, etc. You can also supplement your rental car insurance coverage by participating in an annual travel insurance program, and the insurance company will support you with compensation for these expenses.
Annual travel insurance also allows you to add personal accident benefits for individuals aged 18–65, ensuring a safer journey for you.
With the benefits that annual travel insurance brings, you should consider using them for multiple trips throughout the year. You not only save costs but also ensure all trips within 365 days. Moreover, the 24/7 support service is always there, no matter where you are.
7. Limited travel budget:
Some travelers aim to save money and choose not to buy travel insurance. However, they don’t realize that in case of emergencies, the losses may far exceed the cost of insurance. Furthermore, in medical emergency situations, transportation and medical treatment costs might be considerable.
An annual travel insurance package is the most reasonable option to ensure all trips throughout the year.
8. Frequently making short or impromptu trips (without prior planning):
A sudden weekend beach trip or visiting an ailing relative—these impromptu short trips are often not planned with insurance in mind. This means you won’t be covered for accidental incidents on these trips.
If you sign up for annual travel insurance, all these unplanned short trips will be covered.
9. Some other reasons:
Many travel companies, airlines, hotels, etc., charge exorbitant cancellation fees, especially for last-minute cancellations. If you have travel insurance, these fees will not significantly affect your budget because the insurance company will refund them.
If you are traveling abroad, and the travel company you booked goes bankrupt, travel insurance providers will protect you by covering expenses until the end of the journey. You may also be compensated for troubles faced in this situation.
There are many stories of people losing their jobs while traveling and not having enough money to buy a ticket home. If you have travel insurance, you may be reimbursed for the ticket to return home in such circumstances.
Each trip has its nature, time, and adventure level. Adventurous trips to mountainous areas pose different risks than leisurely beach vacations. Travelers need to identify these characteristics and be appropriately prepared before departure. Travel insurance can help travelers alleviate many troubles, regardless of where they travel. Therefore, travelers should consider purchasing travel insurance before heading out, especially when traveling abroad independently.
Cre: Jeremy/pacificcross.com
