Six Reasons to Buy Travel Insurance You Might Not Have Thought Of
At Vacations To Remember, we believe that the best trips are the ones that are stress-free and packed with happy memories. We spend a lot of time helping you plan the perfect getaway, and a big part of that peace of mind comes from knowing you're protected, even if the unexpected happens.
Most people correctly think of travel insurance as a safeguard against canceling their trip due to a sudden illness or a family emergency. And while that coverage is incredibly valuable, it only scratches the surface of what a robust policy can do.
We want the best for all of our clients, and that means being prepared for those surprising, out-of-your-control events that could leave you stranded, delayed, or facing unexpected costs.
Here are six important reasons to consider travel insurance beyond the typical cancellation and bereavement coverage:
1. The Unexpected Global Disruption (Pandemic)
While we all hope a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic won't happen again, the last few years showed us just how quickly global travel can shut down. Modern policies often include specific coverage for things like:
Emergency Medical Care if you contract an illness while traveling.
Trip Interruption and Delay benefits if borders close, your flight schedule is decimated, or you're required to quarantine, leading to extra expenses for lodging and meals.
2. Getting Caught in an Airline Strike
Imagine arriving at the airport only to find your flight is grounded because the pilots or ground crews are on strike. This isn't just a minor delay; it can paralyze your travel plans and require you to book new, expensive flights on another carrier, or pay for days of unplanned hotel stays. Travel insurance can step in to cover these unforeseen rebooking and accommodation expenses that fall outside of the airline's responsibility.
3. Unexpected Significant Weather (At Home or Your Destination)
The forecast looked great when you booked, but sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. Travel insurance covers you for significant weather in two crucial scenarios:
Departure Delay: A major blizzard or hurricane hits your hometown, making it impossible to leave for your flight.
Destination Disruption: A major tropical storm or other event makes your intended destination uninhabitable or inaccessible, forcing you to change your plans or seek emergency shelter.
4. Travel Delays Due to Government Shutdowns or Civil Unrest
While rare, a government shutdown or an outbreak of civil unrest in your destination city can throw your itinerary into chaos. Flights can be affected, local services might cease, or certain areas might become unsafe. Your policy can provide benefits for trip interruption if the travel advisory changes suddenly, or emergency evacuation if you need to leave quickly for safety.
5. The Threat of Terrorist Attacks
Travel alerts can change in an instant. If a terrorist event occurs in your destination city shortly before your scheduled arrival, most travel insurance policies include coverage that allows you to cancel your trip or provides trip interruption benefits if the attack happens while you are already there. This ensures you can put your safety first without losing the entire investment you made in your vacation.
6. Global IT Outages (Like the CrowdStrike Event)
In our increasingly connected world, large-scale technology failures can have massive ripple effects. Remember the 2024 global IT outage caused by a security software update that took down systems at airports, banks, and major corporations worldwide? A failure like this can lead to huge flight delays, missed connections, and unplanned overnight stays as airlines struggle to process travelers without their core technology. Travel insurance can cover the costs of these unavoidable travel delays and the extra meals and lodging they require.
We want your Vacations To Remember to be truly unforgettable for all the right reasons. Protecting your investment with travel insurance is an act of care for yourself and your family, ensuring that no matter what curveball the world throws, you're not left alone to foot the bill.
Ask our team for a travel insurance quote or click here to get one fast!