Should I Purchase Travel Insurance?

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It’s summertime and that means, vacation time! Road trips to visit friends, flights to sunny places, and bus rides from campuses to homes. If you are planning any trips, it’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance. Even if you are planning a cruise, travel insurance is a good idea.

Travel insurance has two forms: travel medical insurance and trip cancellation insurance. Travel Medical Insurance is important to have. If traveling internationally, you may not be allowed entry into another country without it.

It’s possible that your personal health insurance plan covers you abroad; however, it is important to call and ask questions such as:

  • Does my plan cover emergency room visits abroad?
    Some policies limit the reasons and types of injuries/symptoms that justify an ER visit.
  • If I have to pay out of pocket, will policy allow reimbursement?
    In some countries, you have to pay for your services at the time of care, no insurance billing. It will be good to know if your policy reimburses you the amount you spent on care.
  • Does my policy cover medical evacuations?
    You may require evacuation out of the country you are visiting for immediate/appropriate care. Many times, this requires air ambulance. Knowing whether your policy covers this is a good idea.

If you haven’t answered yes to any of these questions then that’s a good indicator that purchasing travel medical insurance is a good idea, maybe even necessary.

Trip cancellation insurance provides protection for losses that may occur if your trip gets cancelled for an unexpected situation. Examples are:

  • Illness/Injury
    Let’s say you get sick the day before you fly out. The doctor gives strict orders and advises you NOT to travel for your already scheduled and booked trip. In this case, without trip cancellation insurance, you risk losing all the money that you invested for this trip.
  • Inclement Weather
    The weather where you are flying out of and weather where you are flying to; can cause conditions making it impossible to travel. Trip cancellation insurance protects against these events as well.
  • Strikes
    Employee strikes and terror strikes can cause you to cancel your trip. Having trip cancellation coverage will help you not lose your investment in the planned trip.

There are options that provide coverage on flexible terms. These are known as covered for any reason plans; which allow you to cancel your trip for any reason. Covered for any reason plans provide coverage if you cancel for a reason “other” than those covered by the usual trip cancellation coverage. Examples are:

  • Changed your mind about the trip
  • Civil unrest at destination
  • New job offer
  • Summoned to appear in court

It is always a good idea to get the specifics of the plans coverage. Not all plans reimburse at 100% and require a certain number of days’ notice.

For the best policies and coverage, contact an agent. We will help protection you, your family, and your investment!

About Ryan Ruffcorn

Ryan grew up in Keokuk, graduated from Keokuk Senior High, and started his agency in Keokuk from scratch in 2003 after having worked for one of the largest international accounting firms, KPMG, LLP.

Ryan is hardworking; his loyal and trustworthy character is exemplified by the way he does business. He thoroughly enjoys helping clients through the insurance buying process to secure coverage for their most valuable assets.

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