As with all aspects of life, it’s important to ensure you have a safety net if something doesn’t go quite as planned. That is where travel insurance comes in!
Is travel insurance worth it? Here at Onward Travel, we believe that no one should leave home without travel insurance. We work with travel insurance companies that offer plans at reasonable prices. You will receive an insurance quote along with your initial quote. It is never required, but always highly recommended.
Additionally, there are group policies available to ensure the entire group is covered. See below for the top ten reasons why travel insurance is always a good investment!
1. Trip Cancellation Coverage
Life is unpredictable and things happen. Travel insurance ensures that you are covered in case of trip cancellation. Some examples include the illness of you or your traveling companion, the death of a family member, a house fire, etc.
Some reasons for cancellation may not be covered so it’s important to always read your plan carefully. Specifically, be sure to consult the “pre-existing condition” section of each plan.
2. Trip Interruption Coverage
It’s important to plan for problems that may occur during your trip. Trip Interruption Coverage will help you in the event that your trip is interrupted in some way, including but not limited to, illness, natural disaster, theft of passport, hospitalization of travel companion while traveling, etc.
The insurance will help to recoup expenses that were lost or unused due to the interruption. Some reasons may not always be covered and plans/coverage amounts may vary.
3. Baggage/Personal Effects Coverage
We bring some of the most valuable items on our trips; expensive cameras, phones, laptops, and more. In the event that anything is lost or stolen, travel insurance is there as a safety net to help recover the cost of those items up to the specified amount and stipulations outlined in each plan.
4. Missed Connection Coverage
Delays are an unfortunate travel occurrence that we have all had to deal with. Most travel insurances include missed connection coverage which will help get you to where you need to be in the event of a delay and cover such costs.
Unused travel expenses due to a delay may also be covered. Certain stipulations will always apply.
5. Delayed Baggage Coverage
Even with the technological streamlining of baggage transfers at airports, mistakes can still happen and bags can be delayed or lost putting a dark cloud over your trip. With Delayed Baggage Coverage, essential items will be reimbursed (up to the specified amount) so you can enjoy your trip without worry. Expedited return of lost baggage may also be covered.
6. Emergency Assistance Service
When something goes wrong while traveling it is important to have someone on your side. All insurance plans include emergency assistance services that will provide you with an agent to get the reassurance and help you may require.
7. Single Supplement
In many cases, travel companies will charge a single supplement for those traveling alone. Some insurances will cover all or part of the single supplement fee incurred if your traveling companion needs to cancel (under a specified covered reason) and you still decide to travel alone.
8. Accident & Sickness Medical Expense
Arguably the most important part of any travel insurance plan is the medical coverage that will be provided in the case of an injury or sickness while aboard. Out-of-pocket medical expenses can be extremely high so insurance is a vital safety net to have in the case of an emergency. Most insurance medical coverages will vary, please consult your specific plan for further details.
9. Emergency Evacuation
Not all destinations have adequate medical treatment for all sicknesses or injuries. Travel insurance will cover (up to the specified amount) of evacuation costs to another facility when deemed necessary by medical professionals. In some cases, the cost of travel home may also be covered.
10. Terrorism, Natural Disaster, Travel Company Bankruptcy
Most of these coverages will fall under the trip cancellation/interruption coverage, but it is important to note these separately as these are external coverages that most may not think about. All plans will have varied benefit coverage under these terms so be sure to read the fine print.
