Travel Insurance: Going On Holiday

By Meha Ahmad, InsuranceAgents.com Staff Writer

Plane tickets: check. Suitcases packed: check. Passport: check. Travel insurance?

For many travelers, the ultimate vacation is only as good as the amount of preparation you put into the trip. You develop a detailed itinerary, you pack extra clothes including a jacket in case the weather drops, and you pack extra camera batteries. And you always think, “Did I forget anything?” Well, unless you have a proper travel insurance policy, you did.

Part of a responsible traveler’s preparation should include proper travel insurance. Travel insurance covers different parts of your trip; policies may vary. Typically a policy can cover any medical problems that arise that your standard healh insurance policy won't covr, lost belongings, or the cost of a cancelled trip. Also, when traveling in foreign parts of the world, you face the heightened risk of your belongings being stolen. With the right travel insurance policy, your belongings can be covered in the case of theft.

Travel insurance may seem like a frivolous insurance package, but it may not be. Sometimes though, no matter how far in advance you plan your trip, the unexpected can occur.

When You Need Travel Insurance

1. Travel Insurance Emergency No. 1: You have to cancel your trip. You or another family member could get too sick to travel, or scheduling conflict just occurred at work. And your tickets/vacation package is probably nonrefundable. Instead of being out a few hundred or a few thousand vacation bucks, travel insurance can reimburse you.
2. Travel Insurance Emergency No. 2: You missed your connecting flight. It happens. Planes are delayed all the time, causing you to miss your connecting flight. If you have to find a hotel, a hot meal, etc., for the night until the next flight, travel insurance will cover your delay-related costs.
3. Travel Insurance Emergency No. 3: You’ve been robbed. If you’re in a foreign city—particularly a tourist hot spot—there’s a very real chance that theft will occur. Whether it’s your wallet, purse, passport, or other personal belongings, travel insurance can insure your belongings and reimburse you the loss. There are 24-hour services that will assist you.
4. Travel Insurance Emergency No. 4: Medical emergencies. If you have health insurance, it may not follow you around the globe. Travel insurance can provide you with the medical insurance in any foreign destination.

Protecting All Of Your Property

Something else to keep in mind: it’s all well and good to protect yourself and your belongings with you while traveling, but what about the home you left behind?

Families typically go on vacation during summer and winter vacations, timed with vacation time in the school year. Because of this, thieves are more likely to break into your home during holiday time, depending on the likelihood that you will be out of town for the holidays.

To protect from this, install certain security measures in your home (locks, security system, motion sensitive lighting) and talk to your homeowners insurance agent and make sure your current homeowners insurance policy provides enough coverage. Remember, when you’re away for the holidays, you need to protect your property at home and also have proper travel insurance for when you’re abroad.

Finding affordable travel insurance can be easy.  Check with local insurance agents or travel agents. Search online for insurance quotes and compare policies. Ask your insurance agent about specific travel insurance coverage options that will best suit your holiday vacation needs.

Published: Wednesday 14th October 2009