Travel Insurance
No matter how sure you are that you’ll travel (and it is most likely that you will travel!), there’s no telling what might crop up to spoil your plans!
The obvious would be falling gravely ill or getting seriously injured before you even leave home. Or there could be a death in the family, or a change in your job status.
And then there are the things that happen during your trip over which no-one has control, like flight delays due to breakdown or weather, causing your trip to be interrupted or your itinerary re-routed. Extra expenses add up quickly in these situations - transfers, hotels, meals.
Then there’s luggage delay or loss … if you want to get any enjoyment out of your holiday despite such a frustrating situation, you’re going to be buying clothes, toiletries, even sports equipment!
The biggie, however, is medical insurance … whether its a bad case of Montezuma’s Revenge, or a major yard sale on the ski slopes requiring an emergency room visit, you don’t want to be messing around trying to prove that you can pay for medical assistance when you’re indisposed!
Please don’t skip travel insurance when you’re planning your trip! It really isn’t that expensive and is worth every penny for your own peace of mind!
Your credit card company may have special deals for cardholders, or your home-owner’s policy may have an add-on option that you can take advantage of. Your local travel agent is also able to sell travel insurance policies. Make sure you at least get these items covered:
Outright cancellation prior to departure for any reason.
Partial cancellation - eg: you change your mind about visiting a particular area due to security concerns - to include coverage for all service fees that travel agents and other service-providers may charge for making adjustments to your itinerary.
Service interruption - in case your airline goes bankrupt or your hotel burns down before you arrive.
Loss or delay of luggage.
Full service medical coverage - to cover everything from emergency ambulance service through regular doctor/dentist visits to full hospitalization/diagnostic/surgery - including upgrade for “dangerous sports” if you’re going to be skiing or skydiving, for example.