Un-sure-ance

Understanding what Travel Insurance is

by Vinnie Bravdica

You can view our post here: Vacation Planning | Air Fare | Cruising | All Inclusive

Travel Insurance 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Coverage Before You Go Planning a vacation is exciting—choosing destinations, booking flights, organizing tours—but one essential item travelers often overlook is travel insurance, or as we put it Un-Sure-ance. If you’re new to it, don’t worry. Here’s a beginner-friendly guide to help you understand what travel insurance is, why it matters, and how to choose the right plan. Understanding what Travel Insurance is: Travel insurance is a safety net that protects you from financial losses related to your trip. It can cover things like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost baggage, and even flight delays. Think of it as peace of mind in a policy.

Why Do You Need Travel Insurance

• Trip Cancellations or Interruptions: Illness, emergencies, or unforeseen events can derail plans. Insurance helps recover prepaid expenses.
• Medical Emergencies Abroad: Most domestic health insurance policies don’t cover international travel. Travel insurance fills that gap.
• Lost or Delayed Luggage: If your bags go missing, your insurance can cover essentials and help reimburse losses.
• Travel Delays: Expenses due to weather, mechanical issues, or missed connections may be reimbursed.

Tip: Not having insurance could result in extra unnecessary anxiety. Just ask yourself if you can afford to lose your travel investment. Understanding what Travel Insurance is can be a big help.

Types of Travel Insurance Coverage

1. Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
2. Travel Medical Insurance
3. Emergency Evacuation Insurance
4. Baggage Loss/Delay Coverage
5. Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)

#1—Honestly, the top question is, “What if I need to Cancel the trip?”. Though it’s not the only reason to consider insurance. Obviously, protecting yourself from cancellations is foremost in everyone’s mind.

You do, in fact, insure yourself against cancellations. Say you have an emergency and are not able to take this vacation. Especially after investing deposits, or even full payments. This could be a financial inconvenience to anyone. Many vendors actually are sympathetic to circumstances, and insurance is really not required on your behalf. There will be the time that it is, however, and being insured would be beneficial in those cases.

What were to happen if the event was cancelled because of a natural disaster, though? A prime example of this occurred in March, 2020. The first 3 options here could have come into mind for coverage under that circumstance.

#2—It would be disastrous if you were to slip and fall and become injured during your vacation, wouldn’t you agree? Under a Basic Policy, having $10,000 emergency Medical/Dental insurance would surely be a great tool to have in your arsenal, if needed. Peace of Mind is worth it. Knowing that you can absolutely recover those costs, should the need arise.

#3—Again going back to March, 2020, and your stuck in Europe when the world shut down. Having this type of insurance was, without a doubt, beyond valuable.

#4—Losing or delayed baggage can cause a lot of anxiety. This is a usual clause in all types of Travel Insurance, though coverage amounts vary.

#5—Having this come into play, knowing you have proper coverage can be a main reason for coverage.

Choosing the Right Policy

• Evaluate Your Needs: Where are you going? How long? What activities are you doing?
• Compare Plans: Look for coverage limits, exclusions, and premium costs.
• Check Your Existing Coverage: Credit cards or health plans may offer limited travel coverage.
• Read the Fine Print: Know what’s included and what’s not. Pay attention to pre-existing condition clauses.

When to Buy Travel Insurance Buy it as soon as you make a non-refundable payment. Some benefits (like Cancel For Any Reason coverage) may only be available within 14-21 days of booking.

Where to Buy Travel Insurance

• Insurance companies (Allianz, Travel Guard, etc.)
• Travel agents or cruise lines
• Comparison websites (Squaremouth, InsureMyTrip)

Pro Tip: Spending thousands. in some cases, would definitely provide a valuable reason to insure your itinerary. It is highly recommended this be a part of your vacation plan.

To recap, coverage is very obtainable for your adventure, and at a cost usually about 10% of your cost. Though I’ve outlined the most valuable features of the policy you can expect, there are a other features that are part of your policy. If written properly, every part of your journey should be included in your policy, so as to provide coverage of every dollar you invest.

If you still would require more information, I would be more than happy to assist you with your needs, even if you didn’t actually purchase the travel through our Agency. Because making sure that you Enjoy Your Journey, is our promise. Simply comment to this post to get my attention!

Final Thoughts Travel insurance might seem like just another expense—but when things go wrong, it can be a trip-saver. For first-time travelers, it’s a smart, affordable way to travel with confidence.

Safe travels!