Travel enthusiasts only long for one thing: to explore the world and experience new traditions and cultures. Since they tend to travel a lot, it’s not uncommon for them to face many mishaps on their trips.
Most travel enthusiasts know the importance of buying a travel insurance plan as many unexpected events can happen when in foreign destinations. If you’ve never invested in travel insurance or have recently been bitten by the travel bug, here are 6 reasons why you should get insurance.
TRIP CANCELLATION
Life is full of unexpected events, even though we all plan as much as we can, some things may turn up and completely disrupt our plans; the same goes for travel. From booking your flights to creating an itinerary, traveling takes a lot of time and money. Investing in insurance for your holiday plans is a great way to ensure that once you need to cancel your trip—for family issues, a sudden injury, or any other problem—you can get coverage for it. Some insurance policies might also cover your finances if your travel buddy bails on you at the last minute, so you can save a lot of money when you invest in one.
DELAYS AND INTERRUPTIONS
Related to the previous point, another reason why you should get insurance is that it covers your expenses in case of delays or interruptions to your trip caused by other parties. If the flight you booked gets delayed by a few hours making you miss the transportation you booked in the other country, then your insurance can cover that. These minor mishaps might seem unimportant, but every little loss counts when added up.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
This is perhaps one of the most important reasons why you should buy yourself an insurance plan. Travel enthusiasts are individuals who like to seek adventure wherever it may be, which might sometimes be dangerous. Even without engaging in any adrenaline-inducing activities, accidents can still occur at any time. In case of any unexpected health issues, travel insurance can cover your medical fees. As the experts at MedicareLifeHealth.com state, medical costs are a major expense that you might not be able to afford when abroad and on a budget, which is why taking some precautions is important. However, it is important to note that not all insurance plans cover all types of medical emergencies, so you should carefully read the policy’s clause to understand what medical benefits it offers. It’s usually best to opt for one that covers your medical expenses in all cases and also covers emergency evacuation, which is very crucial in case you suffer very serious injuries in a non-developed area and need to be transported elsewhere. Better safe than sorry.
NATURAL DISASTERS OR ADVERSE WEATHER
Following the previous point, danger does not only lie in the activities you do but in the environment you’re in as well. The earth we dwell in is highly unpredictable, weather forecasts can change in an instant, and natural disasters such as hurricanes and snowstorms can occur in the country you plan to travel to. These changes can lead you to cancel your trip altogether or maybe put you in a disadvantageous position (for example being stranded in your travel destination), which travel insurance can cover for you.
LOSS OR THEFT OF YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS
This reason is usually why people invest in travel insurance, but in reality, it’s the least important one; your belongings can always be replaced, but it’s different for your health. Insurance can cover the costs in case you lose your luggage and personal belongings or in case of theft of said items.
However, even though most insurances cover lost or stolen items, this only applies in times where you weren’t careless and lost them yourself. If you carelessly leave your expensive laptop out in the open in your shared hostel room (with many strangers), then it’s highly unlikely that the organization you chose to work with will approve your claim.
LEGAL LIABILITIES
This is a very important factor which, along with medical benefits, might be the incentive you need to get insurance every time you travel. If you are ever in an unfortunate incident that leads you to damage public or private property in the foreign country you’re in, insurance can cover your legal expenses and liability if you are proven accountable for it. However, not all insurance companies cover this, so make sure to read their policy thoroughly.
These are the 6 most prominent reasons why you should invest in travel insurance before your next trip. Insurance policies differ from one organization to the other, so it’s very important to read all of their clauses and pick the best plan that suits your needs. Think about all of the benefits you want to receive, then shop around and choose one that can ensure your travels are always safe, worry-free, and fun.
