Why You Should Never Skip Travel Insurance (And What to Look For)

We've been in the travel industry long enough to have seen it all. The couple whose honeymoon flights were cancelled due to a hurricane. The family whose child broke an arm in Mexico and needed emergency medical care. The solo traveler whose luggage — containing everything she owned for a two-week trip — was lost by the airline.

In every single one of those cases, the ones who had travel insurance walked away with their money back and their trip salvaged. The ones who skipped it? They paid out of pocket.

Travel insurance is the one thing we recommend to every single client, on every single trip. Here's why.

Travel insurance isn't one product — it's a bundle of protections. A comprehensive policy typically includes:

This is the big one. If you have to cancel your trip before you leave — or cut it short after you've already departed — trip cancellation coverage reimburses your non-refundable expenses.

Covered reasons typically include:

• Illness or injury (you, a travel companion, or a family member)
• Death of a family member
• Natural disasters at your destination
• Jury duty or military deployment
• Severe weather that causes a flight cancellation

What it's worth: If you've paid $8,000 for a non-refundable resort package and you break your leg two weeks before departure, trip cancellation coverage gets you that $8,000 back.

This is the coverage most people forget about — and the one that can save you from financial ruin.

Your domestic health insurance (including Medicare) provides little to no coverage outside the United States. If you have a medical emergency abroad — a heart attack, a serious injury, a sudden illness — you are responsible for those costs.

Emergency medical care in a foreign country can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Medical evacuation (being flown home on a medical transport) can cost $50,000–$100,000 or more.

Travel insurance covers all of it.

If your luggage is lost, stolen, or significantly delayed, travel insurance reimburses you for:

• The value of lost or stolen items
• Essential purchases (clothing, toiletries) while you wait for delayed bags

If your flight is significantly delayed and you're stuck at an airport or hotel, travel delay coverage reimburses meals, accommodations, and other expenses up to a daily limit.

Standard trip cancellation only covers specific "covered reasons." Cancel for Any Reason is an upgrade that lets you cancel for literally any reason — cold feet, a work conflict, you just don't feel like going — and receive 50–75% of your trip cost back.

CFAR must be purchased within 14–21 days of your initial trip deposit and costs more than standard coverage, but it's worth it for expensive trips or uncertain situations.

A standard comprehensive travel insurance policy costs approximately 5–8% of your total trip cost.

For a $6,000 trip, that's $300–$480. For a $12,000 honeymoon, that's $600–$960.

That might sound like a lot — until you consider that you're protecting thousands of dollars in non-refundable expenses against an enormous range of potential problems.

Understanding the exclusions is just as important as understanding the coverage.

Pre-existing conditions: Most standard policies exclude medical claims related to pre-existing conditions unless you purchase a "pre-existing condition waiver" (usually available if you buy within 14 days of your initial deposit).

"Fear of travel": Standard policies don't cover cancellation because you're nervous about traveling. CFAR coverage does.

Extreme sports: Activities like skydiving, bungee jumping, and certain adventure sports may require additional coverage.

Pandemics: Coverage for pandemic-related cancellations varies significantly by policy. Read the fine print carefully.

Intoxication: Claims arising from alcohol or drug use are typically excluded.

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. Here's what to look for:

Adequate medical coverage: Look for at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage and $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage for international trips.

"Primary" vs. "secondary" coverage: Primary coverage pays out first, regardless of other insurance you have. Secondary coverage only kicks in after your other insurance has paid. Primary is better.

24/7 emergency assistance: A good policy includes a 24/7 hotline that can help coordinate emergency medical care, arrange emergency travel, and assist with lost documents.

Reputable provider: Stick with well-known providers — Allianz, Travel Guard, Seven Corners, Travelex, or the policy offered through your travel agent.

We recommend travel insurance on every trip — no exceptions. The cost is small relative to what you're protecting, and the peace of mind is priceless.

When you book your trip through us, we'll walk you through your insurance options and help you choose the right coverage for your specific trip and travel style. It's one more way we make sure your vacation goes exactly as planned.

Book a free consultation and let's start planning — and protecting — your next adventure.