If you have booked reservations for travel within the last few years, you likely have seen information about travel insurance. Some hotels, airlines, and travel agencies partner with travel insurance firms to offer you travel insurance during the booking process.
What Is Travel Insurance?
So, just what is travel insurance, and do you need it? Dive into all the details below to learn the basics of travel insurance!
Basics Of Travel Insurance
Insurance, in general, is meant to protect you from some type of loss – usually financial. Travel insurance is really no different. Travel insurance covers a variety of different things, but the specifics will depend on the policy you purchase. Some examples of covered items include:
- Lodging costs
- Medical bills during travel
- Transportation costs
- Evacuation expenses during an emergency
Many people don’t realize that their healthcare insurance might not cover medical expenses outside the United States. Similarly, think about what might happen if you become ill and are unable to travel on your scheduled dates. Airline tickets are often non-refundable, and hotel deposits could be lost. Travel insurance can help cover all of these things.
Cost Of Travel Insurance
If you are thinking that travel insurance sounds like a good idea, you are probably wondering how much it costs. You might already be spending thousands of dollars on a trip, so would adding travel insurance make the trip unaffordable? When compared to the total cost of your trip, travel insurance is quite affordable! The exact cost will depend on the total cost of your trip as well as what is covered by your policy. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from 5%-7% of the non-refundable cost of your trip for a comprehensive policy. So, if your trip costs $5,000, a travel insurance policy may run you about $300. Compared to how much money you could lose if things go wrong without a policy, it makes sense for the extra peace of mind.
Where To Purchase Travel Insurance
There are several different places where you can purchase travel insurance. Many airlines and hotels offer travel insurance directly through their booking pages. You can also visit third-party insurance carriers to purchase a policy directly from them. Most travel agencies, including Wanderlust Travel Boutique, offer travel insurance protection on trips planned through their agency. Simply advise your travel agent that you would like travel protection, and they can walk you through the options that are available.
The Best Travel Insurance
The best travel insurance is the one that meets your needs and aligns with your financial goals. You should fully examine the details of any travel protection policy to learn exactly what it covers. Make sure that the policy includes coverage for items that are important to you. If some items are not as important, then try to find a policy that does not include that coverage because it should save you some money. As long as you use a reputable insurance carrier, finding the coverage that meets your needs is the best way to go. Your travel agent should be able to help walk you through different options and find the policy that will be best for your trip.
The Bottom Line On Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can help protect your wallet from accidents and unexpected situations during trips. By paying a small premium amount, you might save yourself thousands of dollars if an unexpected situation does arise. Travel insurance can help you recoup money from non-refundable deposits, help pay for medical expenses while traveling, and even cover evacuation costs or other unexpected travel expenses. Contact Wanderlust Travel Boutique today to learn about all your options when it comes to travel protection and let us help you pick the right coverage for your situation.