One thing that can be easily forgotten when planning a trip is the need for travel insurance. We buy home insurance, car insurance, life insurance, and health insurance—but many people assume that travel insurance isn’t a must. The truth is, this coverage can save you when you need it most. You never know when something may go wrong on a trip, and you’ll want to be protected. Travel insurance can save your whole trip, and it can also help you save a lot of money.
How does travel insurance work? You’ll purchase your coverage before your trip and then if something goes wrong, you can file a claim and get reimbursed for your needs. That might be reimbursement for a new flight, hotel, new clothes, or even medical care.
Before buying travel insurance, you’ll want to check and see if you already have it. Some travel credit cards include this coverage, but it may be limited or have particular clauses in place. Be sure to carefully check the details of your included coverage so that you can decide if you need to purchase additional protection.
Here are some credit cards that include travel protection or travel insurance: Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Ink Business Preferred, Capital One Venture One, and Hilton Honors American Express. If you don’t have a credit card with coverage, it’s worthwhile to buy your own.
When should you buy travel insurance? It’s best to buy it as soon as you can. If you’re a few weeks away from the trip departure date, consider buying now. You can also purchase it many months ahead of time if you’re planning a trip in advance. Buying ahead of time will better protect you if you have to cancel your trip.
What are some recommended brands? You have many options when purchasing travel insurance. But, some top brands include World Nomads, Travelex Insurance, Allianz Travel Insurance, Travel Guard, and Generali Global Assistance. Be sure to shop around and compare all features and restrictions between different companies.
How does travel insurance help you? Travel insurance offers many advantages. For one, it can get you out of a challenging and stressful situation. While other travelers may have to deal with sitting in the airport for hours on end when dealing with a delay or cancelation—you can use your insurance to get to a hotel. This will make it possible for you to rest up, shower, and get something to eat. It can also save you a lot of money! When you don’t have coverage in place, paying for a hotel, rental car, or a new flight at the last minute can be frustrating and extremely costly. With insurance, you can take care of those needs right now and submit a claim after your trip to cover the costs.
Don’t forget the need for travel insurance. While it may seem like a silly, additional expense right now—it could save you later on! You’ll be happy you made the purchase.
