People are often clear on what they need for trips abroad. They book rooms, flights, tours, etc., and couple their plans with itineraries, reviews, and contact people. And after they have their trips down to an art, they figure they have everything they need for a good tour. Some people take the extra step of getting travel insurance, while others shun the idea, unsure of its importance. And if you’ve never had a horrible incident when traveling, the idea of travel insurance may not appeal to you.

After all, the most important travel documents are visas and passports. If you have a valid passport and a visa, you are good to pass through immigration. And even if you don’t have one, you should get a new passport. But what about travel insurance? Should you bother filling out the forms and securing your trip?

 

What is Travel Insurance?

You likely have purchased insurance for many things – your car, home, business, life, etc. Insurance indemnifies you if something goes wrong. In the case of a home, you can get indemnified if it gets damaged per the terms of your policy. So, instead of starting from scratch, your insurance company covers repairing the damaged home. The same applies to travel insurance. Many things can go wrong on a trip – you can get sick, someone can steal your luggage, a trip can get canceled, etc. These unforeseen events can not only hamper your trip but can also increase the costs of your tour. Travel insurance addresses this by indemnifying you if they happen. So, instead of digging into your pocket to cover your stolen camera, the policy can step in on your behalf.

 

Should You Buy Travel Insurance?

Trips cost a lot once you factor in the flights, accommodation, meals, and activities. So, getting a cover for something that might not happen may feel overwhelming. Should you spend a few hundred dollars to cover your trip? Here are some compelling reasons:

 

1.   It Protects Your Investment

Many people pay for trips beforehand. For example, you can fork out $5,000 to head to Turkey for a few fantastic experiences. But the week before your departure, you fall ill and must be on bedrest for two weeks. You have no option but to listen to your doctor and forego the trip. And after calling the villa and the airline, you realize you will lose the $5,000 you had invested as they don’t have a refund policy. Your travel insurance covers you against such losses and helps you recoup what you would have lost!

 

2.   It Covers Medical Costs

Many people have medical insurance covers. But most of these do not hold water abroad. So, if you fall ill, you will have to pay for medical services in cash. When dealing with the common cold and other such ailments, the costs are not too bad. But what happens when you fall so ill that you must get specalized care? That $100 medical bill soon adds up to a few thousand dollars which you must pay before getting treatment. And you end up spending an exorbitant amount of money to get well. The costs can even be higher when you must get evacuated back home. Travel insurance also covers such costs, enabling you to get quality treatment while abroad without hurting your pockets.

 

3.   It Eases Your Trip

Consider some of the things that can go wrong in a trip. Say, for example, that you land in your destination and realize that the airline forgot to load your luggage. In that case, you have to lodge a claim and wait until the airline locates your bag. In the meantime, you must spend money on basic items and clothes until you get your bag. And that is an extra cost you had not anticipated. Travel insurance steps in to ease your trip by reimbursing you for such costs. So, as much as you will suffer some frustration, you can shop knowing that the final cost will be on the insurer.

Other situations that the insurer steps in include:

• Reimbursement for delayed flights,
• Theft of cash and travel documents, and
• Alternative transport.

Also, travel insurance is mandatory in some countries. And getting it can make your entry and exit procedures much easier!

 

When Not to Buy Travel Insurance

There are no guarantees in trips. Even when you have planned everything to an excruciating level, you have no control over what happens. You can get injured, lose your luggage, or damage your passport. And in the event of any of these incidents, travel insurance can step in to cover you. Even if you have previously traveled without such negative experiences, getting travel insurance is always a good idea – you never know when the lightning will strike.