“Is travel insurance really worth it?” you wonder. “I could spend that money on a nice dinner and bottle of wine or a sight seeing tour instead… Why should I buy travel insurance? What does it even do for me?” We’re so glad you asked.

• Medical emergencies really do happen while travelling – the outcome and expense can be in excess of $100,000 or a $1,000,000 depending on the event. Without any coverage to get care overseas you will be paying out of pocket.
• It can be really, really expensive to get medical evacuation overseas. Travel insurance with emergency medical transportation benefits can pay for you to be transported to the nearest appropriate facility if a covered illness or injury occurs during your trip.
• Because you can’t risk losing money on an emergency trip cancellation. A travel insurance plan with trip cancellation benefits can reimburse you for prepaid, non-refundable trip costs when you must cancel for a covered reason. These covered reasons vary according to the plan you buy, but generally include things like:
  • The insured traveler, traveling companion or a family member suffers a serious covered illness or injury.
  • The insured traveler, traveling companion or a family member dies.
  • Your airline, cruise line or other carrier ceases services for at least 24 consecutive hours due to a strike, natural disaster, bad weather or FAA-mandated shutdown.
  • Your destination is rendered uninhabitable because of a natural disaster, fire, flood, burglary or vandalism. You get the picture. If you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason, trip insurance can save your vacation investment — but if you don’t have insurance, you could lose it all.
• Because delayed and cancelled flights are common. Nothing will ruin the beginning — or the end — of your vacation more effectively than flight problems. Despite airlines’ best efforts to improve there’s nothing an airline can do to avoid delays caused by airport factors that are outside their control such as:
  • Extreme weather, whether existing or forecasted
  • Airline-specific problems, including maintenance and crew issues, aircraft cleaning and loading.
  • Late arrival of the previous flight, causing this subsequent flight to start out late
  • Miscellaneous “National Aviation System” delays, including non-extreme weather, heavy traffic and problems with air traffic control
  • Security issues causing delays or cancellations
    Insurance can also reimburse the unused part of your prepaid, non-refundable expenses — like the tour or cruise you missed because you didn’t get to your destination on time.
• Because peace of mind is priceless. Whether you’re planning a solo adventure or a grand, multi-generational getaway, the whole point is to relax and enjoy the journey. Travel insurance can ease your anxiety because you know you have protection in case of common travel mishaps. Not only that, but you know you’re never alone. No matter how far from home you go, help is a free hotline call away.