Is travel insurance worth it?
Add peace of mind to your trip plans
You’ve spent months meticulously planning your vacation. You purchased your flights, booked your vacation rental, and spent hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars. Don’t be tempted to skip over travel insurance now: Things can still happen. All it takes is one mishap—a canceled flight, getting sick, or extreme weather—to derail your dream vacation.
This is why it’s crucial to plan for the unplanned. Travel insurance is a safety net, offering peace of mind and financial protection if the unexpected hits.
Anything can happen, before and during a trip. Travel insurance can come to your rescue in several ways:
Travel insurance can reimburse you for expenses (even the non-refundable kind) if you need to cancel your trip due to illness, injury, natural disasters, or other covered reasons.
Your regular health insurance may not apply if you were to get sick or injured while on your trip. Travel insurance can provide additional coverage.
Every day, someone's luggage gets lost, stolen, or delayed. Travel insurance can reimburse you for essential items you need to purchase and the value of your lost belongings.
Many things could derail your travel plans and budget. Including:
Hurricanes, earthquakes, or other severe weather events can force trip cancellations or interruptions.
Falling ill or getting injured while traveling can be both frightening and expensive. Travel insurance with medical coverage can help pay for emergency medical care and even medical evacuation if necessary.
Flight cancellations, missed connections, or other travel disruptions can lead to additional expenses. Travel insurance can reimburse you for these unexpected costs and help you get back on track.
In case of a natural disaster, political unrest, or medical emergency requiring evacuation, travel insurance can pay for your transportation to safety or to appropriate medical facilities.
Selecting the right travel insurance plan can feel overwhelming, especially with the variety of options available. For instance, you can buy travel insurance directly from Vacasa, Airbnb, Vrbo, and other places you book. Here are key factors to consider when searching for a plan that best suits you and your trip:
If you're planning a short local getaway, a basic policy may suffice. However, for longer trips across the country or internationally, you might require more comprehensive coverage in case of trip cancellation or delays. Plus, certain destinations may have specific risks, such as higher medical costs or political instability, which could require more robust insurance.
If you (or anyone else in your travel group) have pre-existing medical conditions, ensure that your policy covers them, as many standard plans may exclude these conditions. Also, if you’re packing your itinerary with adventures like skiing, scuba diving, skydiving, and hiking, look for a policy that includes coverage for these activities, as they often require specialized insurance.
Oftentimes you might find the best travel deals during hurricane season. But, that also means increased risk. If you’re headed to a destination where extreme weather could hit, make sure you’re protected.
Whether a storm, sickness, or road closure, you’re protected with trip insurance.
Travel insurance typically costs between 4% to 12% of your total trip cost. However, the exact price can vary based on several factors:
Trips don’t always go as smoothly as we’d like. Whether your child gets sick on vacation or you get bumped from your flight, travel insurance is the ideal safety net if your trip hits a snag. Insurance not only protects you against the unexpected, it can help you recoup your costs and cover the essentials so you can get back on track.
