The Importance of Travel Insurance

With the event of the Elizabeth City, NC, based Coast Guard having to use helicopter missions to pick up two ailing cruise ship passengers from separate cruise ships on April 23, it calls to mind the importance of purchasing travel insurance for all age groups.  Any of the following scenarios can happen.

Vacationing Solo

Young or old, anything unforeseen can happen on a vacation, or even before you leave.  Your vacation is paid for and you find you are forced to cancel because your boss has an urgent matter requiring your attention the day you are schedule to leave.

Romantic Getaway

Nothing is more romantic than a cruise.  You can have as much or as little privacy as you want, and you get to visit exotic locations without having to pack and repack.  But if you or your significant other experiences something serious that requires medical attention, medical services onboard may not be covered by your insurance plan.  Worse, if you have a heart attack or other serious event, and need to be flown back to the United States, the cost may be your responsibility, as well as the cost to transport your significant other back with you.

Family Vacation

You work hard to save enough money to take your family on a memorable cruise.  Your youngest comes down with chickenpox the day before your trip. 

When you decide to go on a vacation, whether it is on your own, as a couple or as a family, your medical insurance may not cover these events if you are out of the country.  Some insurance policies don’t even cover you if you travel outside of your own state.  And, if it does, you can be certain you will have to pay something towards the deductible, and the possibility of increased insurance rates.  I’ve even heard of insurance companies denying you coverage when you re-enroll if you have “taken advantage” of the coverage too much within the policy year.  Like the unfortunate souls on the cruise ships, one experiencing kidney failure, the other a heart attack, an uneventful vacation is not guaranteed.  Of course, medical insurance does not cover urgent business matters that occur right before your trip, so you are out of all the money you spent and your plans for a dream vacation are shattered.

Unfortunately, events like these happen every day.  If you are not prepared for them, it can cost you thousands.  Travel insurance is offered to help offset these events.

The most common travel insurance policies combine coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation. There might also be a set amount of death and dismemberment insurance.

When looking at trip cancellation and trip disruption insurance, you should carefully read the fine print in terms of what timeline may apply – does the insurance kick in after 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours or another amount of time? You'll also want to look at whether or not a cruise line's policy will give you cash back or whether the reimbursement is in the form of credit for a future cruise. 

We at Travel Tours & Cruises do not sell insurance.  We only offer insurance as part of your vacation package, to help protect your investment.   Be well advised, and well prepared, before you spend your hard-earned money for a vacation.  Contact Travel, Tours & Cruises to plan your dream vacation.