Travel Insurance - Why You Need It and What to Look For
Back in my 20s I rarely, if ever, bought travel insurance. However, as I got older (and smarter) I started purchasing insurance for every international trip I took. Now I can’t imagine traveling without it.
This is one of those travel topics that’s not glamorous. But you know what’s even LESS glamorous? Losing money or finding yourself in a dangerous situation because your trip wasn’t covered by a solid policy. Travel insurance provides piece of mind that if anything goes wrong - from minor annoyances like lost luggage to urgent medical emergencies - you'll be taken care of physically, and able to recoup some of your financial loss.
Here’s what a policy should cover, at a minimum:
Lost/Stolen/Damaged/Delayed Baggage
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but should something happen to your luggage, your insurance should cover your loss.|
Emergency Medical Coverage
This was always an important part of travel insurance coverage, but with the emergence of COVID, it's become essential. Though the hospitalizations due to COVID have gone down, other illnesses or injuries can also land you there, and it's important that you’re covered. I recommend coverage with a minimum of $200,000. Be sure you read your policy carefully so that you understand exactly what is covered.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
This will cover your costs if you need to be taken to a different facility for appropriate treatment, or if you need to be airlifted due to an emergency. This is sometimes bundled along with the medical coverage portion of the insurance, so just be sure to read your policy.
Trip Interruption
Did you have to cut your trip short for some reason? Did you have to return home due to an emergency, and now are stuck with fees for services you didn’t use? Trip interruption will cover this.
Travel Delay
Was your flight cancelled? Did other issues prevent you from arriving to your destination on time? Travel Delay coverage is to the rescue!
This is just the tip of the iceberg, and there are other items that can be added to your policy. For example, if you purchase “cancel for any reason” insurance, you’ll be even more protected in the event that unexpected plans force you to cancel your trip. My advice is to compare a few different policies and choose what works best for your situation and travel plans.
My favorite resource for finding and comparing policies is Squaremouth. Check it out!
If you want to get more tips like this, or want to be the first to know when new departure slots open, sign up for our newsletter.
hi there, I’m angi the founder of roam & gather. My mission is to curate joy-centered, small group journeys that are relaxed, intimate, and rooted in culture, community and slowness.
Roam & Gather is a small travel company offering soul-nourishing, curated travel experiences that help connect people with global communities, like-minded travelers and themselves.
If you'd like to see what new journeys are available, head over to our departures page; to receive travel tips and news on when new departures open, sign up for our newsletter, or if you'd like to get in touch you can reach out here.