Sunshine, sandy beaches, or maybe exploring ancient ruins – summer is the season for adventure! You’ve probably been planning out your dream vacation in your head for years now, right? Now that you’re ironing out all the details, and preparing for your escape, it’s time to think about some of the risks of leaving home (and how to throw a bit of that added protection to your pack).
You know exactly which pub to hit on your way from the London Eye to the Tower of London, but what will you do when you accidentally drop your phone in the Thames while taking a selfie with Big Ben? Or maybe you packed all of your new camera equipment to capture the best pictures of poison-dart frogs in Costa Rica, but your pack never showed up in baggage claims!
That’s where travel insurance comes in, like an adventure buddy ready to watch your back (and your wallet) when the inevitable, “oh no!” happens. So, check your coverage and get back to enjoying your trip with some peace of mind!
Why Travel Insurance is Your Summertime BFF
Picture this: you’ve spent weeks planning and booking an epic trip to Italy. The flights, hotels, and even a tagliatelle pasta cooking class – all set and paid for! Then, on your very first flight, disaster strikes: the infamous Traveler’s Sickness hits you and your family. Hard. It totally derails your perfect itinerary.
Normally, last-minute canceling is going to hit you with a bunch of fees to top off already missing out on the fun. Travel insurance benefits can be your life (and vacation) preserver here, by reimbursing you for those non-refundable costs. Talk to your insurance agent about your coverage, so you can keep your money and start planning your next trip!
Here are some of the situations where travel insurance can be your hero:
Medical Mishaps
Getting sick when you’re out of network is already stressful, not to mention expensive, but what about when you’re in a completely different country? Travel insurance benefits can help cover those crazy medical bills you get overseas, from doctor visits to emergency medical evacuation.
Travel Delays
If your flight’s delayed, or your luggage gets lost, and suddenly the whole schedule for your vacation is out of whack, it can be a pretty expensive process getting things back in order. The right coverage can help offset all of that by covering meals, hotel rooms, or even replacing all your clothes that somehow disappeared while you were in the air!
International Travelers, Rejoice!
Travel insurance for international travel can help keep you protected from more than just illness and delays. What if you’re in Paris, standing in line to get into the Eiffel tower, when someone bumps into you and your wallet suddenly turns up missing? Or the cab you’re waiting on never arrives to take you to the airport, and you have to cancel your flight last minute?
Theft and cancellations can also be covered with the right travel insurance benefits. So, understanding your coverage and talking to your agent is the key to keeping you and your vacation protected!
Finding Your Perfect Travel Insurance Match
Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all, so it’s important to tailor your coverage to your specific needs. A little planning ahead of time can make all the difference later.
Your Vacation Itinerary
Where are you going and what’s the plan when you get there? Is it a month-long backpacking excursion through Tibet and Nepal to Eat, Pray, Love? Or are you staying in a resort in Cancun for a week? You’re probably not going to need the same level of coverage to sip margaritas on a beach as you would trekking through mountain passes.
Take all those thoughts, ideas, saved locations and must-sees, and put them on paper. It’s not always the most fun to then look at a list of such adventures and try to imagine the hiccups you could face, but it will help you in knowing how to pack that added protection. Always better safe than sorry, right?
Budgeting for Fun (and Protection)
You don’t want to be caught in an emergency without the right coverage, but you also don’t want your policy to eat up your whole vacation fund! Figure out your budget ahead of time, then talk to your agent to get the coverage you need without sacrificing your vacation.
Pre-existing Conditions
Pre-existing medical conditions are a drag, but being upfront about them when purchasing travel insurance benefits can give you peace of mind while on vacation. Make sure your policy will cover emergency medical visits, or get you access to your medication if the ones you packed are lost in baggage claims.
Making Travel Insurance Work for You
Read the Fine Print (but Don’t Worry, It’s Not Scary)
It might seem boring and tedious, but taking a few extra minutes to read through your policy can save you a lot of confusion when you’re trying to relax on that Carribean Cruise. If you’re left with any questions, before you take off from the airport is a good time to get clarification from your insurance agent.
Early Bird Gets the Coverage
Worst case scenario, you end up having to cancel your whole trip. Thailand will still be there next year, but make sure you have the money to go on your replacement trip by purchasing cancellation coverage when you book your trip. Being covered ahead of time will make sure you get reimbursed for the fun you didn’t get to have.
Be a Paperwork Pro
Filing an insurance claim can be a serious headache, but you can make it easier by keeping copies of all your paperwork on hand. Think receipts and medical bills, or any other travel documents. Having these ready when you go to file a claim can make the process a breeze, but not the one that had your hammock swaying in Puerto Vallarta.
Travel with Confidence (and Travel Insurance Benefits) Not Worries!
By understanding your travel insurance benefits and choosing the right plan for you, you can embark on your summer adventure with confidence. No matter what catastrophe tries to ruin your vacation, you can still get your rest and relaxation knowing you’re covered. So, plan your trip, pack your bags, and set sail with peace of mind!