Travel Preparation & Planning
A great trip starts with the right preparation and planning. Finding a destination that will suit your travel style is important. Are you looking to escape to the beach, hit a desert trail, or explore exotic cuisine? Think about what destinations you are ready to explore and comfortable with – a shorter, direct flight may be important to you and narrow down your destinations initially. A domestic trip may also be an option. Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, travel insurance is beneficial for any trip that takes you 100 miles or more from home, including a road trip! One of the benefits of traveling as you get older is freedom. You may have more PTO to use up or the ability to create your own schedule leaving more time for travel than ever before. Shoulder season travel is a great option if you’re able to take advantage of the months leading up to and after the busy season. This time of year, generally affords discounts, less crowds, and oftentimes a more relaxing and enjoyable trip.
Once you have picked a destination, it’s important to consider accommodations, transportation, and your itinerary too. I love looking into resorts that have adults-only areas like pools or even a suite tower for a relaxing trip. If you are looking into activities like scuba diving or golf, check on availability and make reservations in advance if necessary. If you are willing to leave your travel schedule more open – don’t be afraid to call the day of to book a tee time or activity, there may be a cancellation that you can take advantage of, just don’t count on this!
Travel Insurance
With any type of travel especially where you may be taking part in riskier activities than normal, finding the right travel insurance plan is important. Travel insurance should never be one size fits all. By visiting TravelInsuranceMaster.com, you can easily plug in your trip and traveler details, and let the trusted algorithm recommend the best travel insurance plan for you. You can also view side-by-side comparisons of different plans from multiple providers all in one place. The easy-to-use filters on the left-hand side will help you narrow down plans by the exact benefits you are looking for. There are a variety of benefits for any kind of trip. For example, if you are looking for coverage for activities, select one of the sports benefits. If you are looking for Hurricane and Weather coverage, filter by benefits to protect your trip in the event your home or destination are affected by hurricane season.
The best time to purchase travel insurance is usually within 10-21 days of making your initial trip deposit. Trip Cancellation plans continue to be the most popular option for travelers covering their non-refundable prepaid trip costs if certain requirements are met. Cancel for Any Reason plans allow you to cancel for any reason whatsoever up to 2 days before your trip for up to 75% reimbursement of your non-refundable prepaid trip costs. If you’re looking for the CFAR benefits, you will normally need to buy insurance within 1-21 days of your initial deposit. There are also time-sensitive benefits that make purchasing insurance early worthwhile. One of these benefits is the Pre-existing Medical Conditions waiver that many travelers look for. If you buy insurance within the stated timeframe from the initial deposit, usually the same day or within 2 weeks, you will get broader coverage and benefits like the Pre-existing Medical Conditions waiver depending on the specific plan.
If you or someone you are buying insurance for has a pre-existing health condition, you should seriously consider the likelihood of it reoccurring or flaring up during your trip. Ask yourself could it cancel or interrupt your travels? For plans without the Pre-existing Medical Conditions Waiver, normally a medical condition present prior to your travel insurance policy’s effective date would not be covered. Most plans have a look-back period which means the plan investigates your medical history, anywhere from 2 to 18 months, to check if your condition was treated or appeared during that time. Comprehensive plans with a Pre-existing Medical Conditions waiver will give you coverage if you buy your travel insurance plan the same day or within a set number of days after your first trip deposit. This doesn’t usually add to the cost of the plan and is a great incentive to buy early!
International Travel Insurance
When traveling to another country, it’s important to fill the gap where your regular health insurance may not offer coverage. Emergency Medical Coverage may not have been your first priority when you first started traveling but with 2021 travel, we all realize its importance. It can save you from a costly bill if your US health insurance plan is not accepted in another country. It’s important to note COVID-19 is treated the same as any other illness, so Emergency Medical and Evacuation benefits will cover your otherwise non-refundable prepaid trip cost if you were to become ill with COVID-19 during your travels. Trip Cancellation plans give you protection if you the traveler, your companion, a family member, or your business partner become ill before your trip and you cannot travel. Trip Interruption also provides reimbursement of non-refundable prepaid trip costs and expenses for your return home if you or your companion are diagnosed with COVID-19 while on your trip. Trip Delay will cover hotel expenses and meals if you are delayed through quarantine required by a physician.
Final Travel Insurance Thoughts
Finding the right travel insurance does not have to be complicated or time-consuming. By visiting TravelInsuranceMaster.com you can easily find the recommended plan for you from the world’s leading providers. Always be sure to read your plan details for benefits and all the information you need like proof of cancellation. Plans do allow you to buy coverage up until the day before you leave so wherever your travels take you, be sure to protect them with peace of mind from Travel Insurance Master.
Travel Insurance FAQs
What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance is a protective policy or plan that helps you cover or recoup costs associated with changes or emergencies incurred during travel. They can cover small things like transportation costs, lost baggage, all the way up to medical issues incurred during travel.
How does travel insurance work?
Travel insurance works by securing a traveler’s financial risk should you suffer a financial loss during travel. Should something happen, your travel insurer will reimburse you for the costs you incurred.
How much does travel insurance cost?
The cost of travel insurance depends on what type of coverage you need and how long you expect to be traveling. Factors that impact your travel insurance costs include age of the travelers, number of travelers, length of your travel plans, and the type of coverage you need. For most trips, travel insurance will cost anywhere between $250 – $500.
What does travel insurance cover?
Travel insurance covers a wide range of items including personal costs, medical emergencies, lost belongings, rental cars, hotel stays, trip cancellations, and travel supplier bankruptcy.
Do you need travel insurance?
You do not need travel insurance to travel, however, if you are planning a long or expensive trip, it is highly recommended that you purchase adequate travel insurance should something go wrong.
How much travel insurance do you need?
For shorter trips, adequate travel insurance will cover trip cancellation, lost luggage, and more. For longer, more cost prohibitive trips, consider purchasing more comprehensive coverage that will cover medical issues or emergencies incurred during your trip.
How do I get travel insurance?
There are a lot of ways to acquire travel insurance. For a lot of domestic and international trips, you can purchase insurance and coverage through your travel supplier, often times your travel agent, travel broker, or airline. There are also 3rd party, independent travel insurance provides that will insure your trip.
Have you used travel insurance before when traveling? Let me know in the comments!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products that I personally know and use, and the income helps to keep this site updated and free for everyone.
