Let’s talk about a dirty word. Insurance.
We carry it everywhere. Cars. Homes. Medical. Phones. Even pets. Yet one category still gets skipped more than it should: travel insurance.
Most vacations today cost well over $5,000. Cruises, resorts, theme parks, international trips. That number climbs fast. We work hard for that money. Walking away from it because something went sideways is a tough pill to swallow.
So why insure a trip?
Travel is exciting. Travel is also unpredictable. Flights get delayed. Connections get missed. Luggage takes its own vacation. Weather changes plans. Illness shows up uninvited. When something breaks in the chain, travel insurance can soften the impact financially and emotionally.
Trip insurance works like any other insurance. Coverage varies widely. Policies are not interchangeable. Reading the details matters.
Key decisions usually include cancel-for-any-reason coverage, emergency medical and dental limits, emergency evacuation, rental car coverage, and repatriation benefits. Emergency evacuation alone can reach tens of thousands of dollars if paid out of pocket. That surprise can turn a vacation into a financial crisis very quickly.
Another consideration is the type of plan. Some travelers need coverage for a single trip. Others benefit from a comprehensive annual plan. Travelers who take more than one or two trips per year often find annual plans more economical for themselves and their families. Providers differ. Coverage differs. Price differences exist for a reason.
A useful comparison tool many travelers reference is InsureMyTrip.com. It allows you to choose coverage priorities and compare policies across multiple providers. There is no obligation to purchase through the site. Many people use it strictly for research and then purchase directly from the provider they prefer.
Certain coverages deserve extra attention: emergency medical and dental, emergency evacuation, and repatriation in the event of death. These are among the most expensive travel-related costs when paid out of pocket and often create the most stress for families back home.
One important detail to remember is that most travel insurance requires you to pay expenses upfront and then submit a claim for reimbursement. Keeping documentation and receipts is essential.
Travel suppliers such as cruise lines and airlines frequently offer their own insurance. These policies may work for some travelers. They are often more expensive and may favor credits over refunds. Reading the terms and conditions carefully is critical before deciding.
Insurance always comes down to value. It feels unnecessary until the moment it becomes essential. Missed connections, flight delays, medical issues, or missing a cruise departure can create costs that far exceed the price of coverage.
That’s an expensive gamble, and one I won’t take myself.
Every trip is different. Coverage that makes sense for a cruise may not work for a resort stay or international travel. If you want help matching the right coverage to your trip, email me and we can talk it through.
