Should you get travel insurance for vacations for the next year or two?
Well, yes, you should always get travel insurance if you’re doing anything for more than a weekend.
But given the state of upheaval in the travel industry over the last year, you should definitely get travel insurance coverage for at least a couple of years, just in case things go pear-shaped again.
Here’s what you should consider.
Since travel bans are being lifted, fully vaccinated travelers are looking to take vacations again. Airlines and airports are fulfilling cleaning protocols, as are hotels and Airbnb hosts. Theme parks and attractions are opening up again, and that means people are more than eager to head out again.
Since COVID started, travel insurance providers have been changing and updating their policies for different situations and different scenarios in which you might find yourself canceling travel plans. And because so many things are still up in the air, getting trip insurance is more important than ever.
Here are a few reasons why you should get travel insurance for your next vacation.
CONTRACTING COVID WHILE ON THE TRIP
Travel insurance policies typically cover the costs associated with getting sick. However, COVID-19 may not be included on the list of illnesses covered in your policy. These days, many trip insurance policies are specifically listing or not listing COVID as being covered.
Don’t assume COVID is covered on your travel insurance policy. You may run into problems where you’re not covered in the way you expected to be. If you’re not vaccinated, but insist on traveling, make sure your travel insurance covers all COVID-related issues.
BEING ON LOCKDOWN AT YOUR DESTINATION.
As the pandemic has progressed, policies have changed. While they’re letting up in the United States, other countries are locking down and seeing a resurgence in cases. Should you be placed in lockdown in your location, this can extend your trip and add a lot of extra costs. Some travel insurance policies have this covered, but others do not. This is known as Trip Interruption Insurance, so you want to make sure you’re covered there as well.
CHANGING OR CANCELING PLANS BECAUSE COVID IS SPREADING AT YOUR DESTINATION.
Trips can be canceled, but it might not be because of the traveler. Hotels and airlines cancel reservations for different reasons, and we saw that happening in March 2020. That sort of thing can still happen, although it’s not as likely.
Many travel insurance plans don’t cover these kinds of cancelation, although some may carry a “cancel for no reason” clause. for an extra cost. Be aware that prepayments for these policies may be recovered at no more than 75% should a cancellation happen.
When you’re trying to decide which travel insurance policy you need, the first step is to do your research. Talk to a few different comprehensive travel insurance providers, and ask them what they cover and don’t cover. But don’t just expect them to list everything — you need to specifically ask whether they cover certain issues or not.
You also need to know which countries have changed their travel regulations and policies. Governmental websites are a great resource for finding up-to-date information so you’ll know what to be mindful of when shopping for travel insurance.
Finally, always read the fine print. Don’t ever assume that something is covered and buy the policy without being 100% confident that it is covered. Remember, some policies do not cover COVID situations, or they may not provide medical insurance for COVID-related illnesses.
Are you getting travel insurance for your next family vacation? Have you taken a trip already? What kind of insurance did you get? Share you stories and ideas with us on our Facebook page, or on our Twitter stream. You can also find us on our Instagram page at @TravelproIntl.
