When to Buy Travel Insurance

If you or a traveling companion has a medical problem, such as diabetes, seizures, heart disease or some other serious condition, you should invest in travel insurance like Allianz Travel Insurance. The stress of traveling may exacerbate a condition, or other situations beyond your control may cause the individual to become gravely ill and require hospitalization or a quick evacuation home.

Your health doesn’t even have to be shaky; at any time, a person can be stricken with a serious illness or injury. Although you may have adequate health insurance, it may not cover medical care where you are vacationing, especially if it is an overseas location. Quality medical care or an emergency evacuation while far away from home can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Having a family member or loved one back at home hospitalized or die is another reason many people have to cancel or interrupt their vacations. Travel insurance policies often cover these types of emergencies.

If you are traveling to a country experiencing political unrest, you should purchase travel insurance. If your trip is aborted due to a political uprising or because of suspected terrorist activity, the insurance helps you recoup money that would otherwise be nonrefundable. The policy also helps cover costs when your trip is interrupted, and you must return home due to unsafe conditions.

Many people plan vacations months in advance. Cruise prices are often lowest during hurricane season, and many people take advantage of the bargains. They just hope the weather will behave during the trip. Earthquakes, tornadoes and other natural disasters can also cut your travel plans short or prevent them altogether. Travel insurance takes these acts of nature into consideration. Buying a policy is an important way to make sure your vacation money isn’t lost if the trip is postponed or cut short.

This type of insurance policy is relatively inexpensive, particularly when you consider the peace of mind it can provide you and your family. Think about whether you can afford to lose most of your vacation money if an unexpected incident disrupts your travel plans. For most people, the value of travel insurance is well worth the cost of the policy.