The Pros and Cons of Travel Insurance - Connect Insurance Network (2024)

Travel insurance can provide peace of mind when you’re on a trip far away from home, but it also comes with its own set of pros and cons. Let’s explore some of the main advantages and disadvantages of travel insurance:

Pros of Travel Insurance:

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage: Travel insurance can reimburse you for non-refundable trip costs if you have to cancel or cut your trip short due to unforeseen circ*mstances, such as illness, injury, or family emergencies.

Medical Coverage: It provides coverage for medical emergencies while you’re abroad, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and medication. This can be particularly important if you’re traveling to a country with high healthcare costs or where your medical insurance would not extend.

Coverage for Lost or Stolen Belongings: Travel insurance can help you recover the cost of lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings, such as luggage, electronics, or jewelry.

Emergency Evacuation: In case of a medical emergency or a natural disaster, travel insurance may cover the cost of evacuation to a medical facility or your home country.

Travel Delay and Missed Connection Coverage: If your travel plans are delayed due to weather, strikes, or other unforeseen events, travel insurance can reimburse you for additional expenses incurred during the delay.

Coverage for Adventure Activities: Some travel insurance policies can be customized to cover adventurous activities like skiing, scuba diving, or hiking.

Cons of Travel Insurance:

Cost: Travel insurance will add to the overall cost of your trip. Some may choose to forgo it to save money, especially on shorter or less expensive trips.

Exclusions and Limitations: Policies may have various exclusions and limitations, so it’s essential to read the fine print. Certain pre-existing medical conditions may not be covered, or there may be limits on the value of items covered for lost or stolen belongings.

Claim Process: Filing a claim can be time-consuming and may require documentation and proof. Some claims may be denied if the circ*mstances don’t meet the policy criteria.

Not Always Necessary: For some travelers, especially those with comprehensive health insurance or those traveling within their own country, some elements of travel insurance may duplicate existing coverage.

Cancellation for Any Reason Coverage is Expensive: While some policies offer “cancel for any reason” coverage, it tends to be more expensive and may only reimburse a portion of your non-refundable trip expenses.

Complexity: The variety of policies, options, and coverage levels can make choosing the right travel insurance confusing. It may require some research and comparison.

Whether travel insurance is worth it depends on your specific circ*mstances and travel plans. It can provide that peace of mind, but it’s important to carefully consider the pros and cons, read the policy details, and select coverage that aligns with your needs and budget.

The Pros and Cons of Travel Insurance - Connect Insurance Network (2024)

FAQs

What are the disadvantages of travel insurance? ›

Cost: Travel insurance will add to the overall cost of your trip. Some may choose to forgo it to save money, especially on shorter or less expensive trips. Exclusions and Limitations: Policies may have various exclusions and limitations, so it's essential to read the fine print.

What is the best travel insurance company? ›

The Best International Travel Insurance Providers in Detail
  • Faye. Our Top Pick. ...
  • Travelex. Our pick for families. ...
  • Nationwide Travel Insurance. Our pick for most coverage reimbursed. ...
  • Tin Leg. Our pick for customizable coverage. ...
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. ...
  • Seven Corners Travel Insurance. ...
  • AIG Travel Guard.

Is it worth buying travel medical insurance? ›

Travel insurance can be useful, but it's not always necessary. The key to knowing if you need travel insurance is figuring out your specific risks for any given vacation, then deciding if you can buy coverage that adequately protects you from any financial losses and pitfalls that might occur.

What is not covered by travel insurance? ›

Reasonably foreseeable events. Known storms, epidemics, acts of war. Travel restrictions imposed by government authorities. Pre-existing conditions, unless the Premium plan is bought within the window for coverage.

What is the average cost of travel insurance? ›

According to our research, the average cost of travel insurance is $204, but you could pay anywhere between $14 and $765 for travel insurance. While this may seem like a wide price range, it's important to understand that travel insurance is not a “one price fits all” purchase.

Where is the best place to get travel insurance? ›

The best travel insurance
  • Santander. Times Money Mentor award winning cover. ...
  • Saga. Best for over-50s. ...
  • Post Office. Best for those with pre-existing medical conditions. ...
  • Aviva. Best for those wanting substantial medical cover. ...
  • LV= Best for a range of unique add-ons. ...
  • Switched On. ...
  • Just Travel Cover* ...
  • InsureandGo*
May 9, 2024

How many days before should you buy travel insurance? ›

If you're wondering when you should buy travel insurance, the simple answer is as soon as possible. Ideally, you'll buy coverage no later than 15 days prior to your trip.

What to look for in travel insurance? ›

Your travel insurance should always include the following cover:
  • medical expenses and cover for getting you home if you're injured or fall ill abroad.
  • personal injury and cover for accidents or damage caused by you.
  • cover for lost or damaged items.
  • cover for lost or delayed baggage.

How much travel insurance is enough? ›

How much travel medical insurance do you need? Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, recommends buying at least $50,000 in emergency medical coverage for international travel. For travelers going on a cruise or to a remote destination, the site recommends at least $100,000 in coverage.

Is it better to buy travel insurance early or late? ›

It's smart to buy travel insurance immediately after booking for two reasons. One: You won't forget! Far too many travelers postpone buying travel insurance and then realize, too late, that they forgot to buy it at all. And two: The earlier you buy insurance, the bigger your coverage window.

Is Allianz travel insurance good? ›

Allianz Travel can be a solid choice if you're looking to purchase travel insurance. However, it's always a wise idea to compare multiple options to ensure you're getting a good deal. For instance, AXA Assistance USA travel insurance is also a good provider.

Does travel insurance cover a cancelled trip? ›

If you need to cancel or cut short your holiday because something unexpected happens, cancellation cover lets you reclaim some or all of the money you've already paid out. So, if you suddenly become seriously ill and can't go on holiday because you need treatment, you can claim on your travel insurance policy.

Does AARP offer international travel insurance? ›

While there are no AARP travel insurance products or discounts available for seniors, members can use the AARP website for trips and tricks on how to plan for international travel and information regarding how to choose the right insurance plan for older travelers.

Does travel insurance cover cancelled flights? ›

Cancellation cover is a common inclusion with most standard travel insurance policies, but you can take it out separately if it doesn't offer enough cover. Alternatively, if you only want cancellation cover to protect you against cancelled flights rather than baggage protection, you can get it for that.

Does travel insurance include cancellations? ›

If you need to cancel or cut short your holiday because something unexpected happens, cancellation cover lets you reclaim some or all of the money you've already paid out. So, if you suddenly become seriously ill and can't go on holiday because you need treatment, you can claim on your travel insurance policy.

What does trip insurance cover? ›

So, what does travel insurance cover? Here's the very short answer: Cancellations, medical expenses, evacuations, loss or delays, and 24/7 assistance. These are the 5 basic types of coverage provided with vacation insurance.

Is travel insurance refundable if not used? ›

Yes, getting a travel insurance refund is possible, depending on when you cancel the policy. To qualify for a premium refund, most insurance companies require the policy to be canceled during the review period outlined in the policy terms. Otherwise, you won't be eligible for a refund on your travel insurance.

How long is travel insurance good for? ›

In general, the average insured trip length for a Single Trip policies is roughly 16 days. With that said, these policies can last up to a maximum of one year, depending on the policy.

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