The holidays are here, which means extra traveling for many people. But life is full of ups and downs, and travel plans can be too. You could get sick or have your trip canceled by the booking agency.
But with travel insurance, you can book travel plans with peace of mind. Keep reading from your Harlingen international airport to learn what you need to know about travel insurance and if it’s worth the money for you!
1. What Is Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is essentially the same idea as car insurance; it protects your financial interests when you travel. But you may wonder exactly what travel insurance covers.
Cancellations
Canceling your vacation sucks, but sometimes it’s out of necessity, like when you get sick or a natural disaster hits your destination. Travel insurance can reimburse you for the money you’ve already paid for the trip.
Delays
If your flight is delayed and it causes a hiccup in your travel plans, travel insurance is your superhero! It can cover extra expenses that you weren’t expecting to pay.
Interrupted Trips
If you prepaid for your hotel stay or cruise, but your trip was cut short unexpectedly, travel insurance may be able to reimburse you for the part of the trip you didn’t get to enjoy.
Medical Expenses
If you’re traveling stateside, your health insurance will kick in for medical needs. But if you’re traveling overseas, travel insurance can help with unexpected medical expenses.
Baggage Delay or Loss
Sometimes your bag can be delayed for hours, days, or even lost. Travel insurance can reimburse you for the lost bag and items inside.
Loss of Passport
Oh, no! You’ve lost your passport, and now you’re stuck paying an expensive fee to get a new one quickly. If you have travel insurance, you’re in luck; it can reimburse you for that costly fee!
Rental Car Coverage
If you’re renting a vehicle and were involved in an accident, travel insurance may pay for the damage rather than your personal auto insurance, depending on the coverage you choose for both your auto and travel insurance.
2. What Kind of Travel Insurance Do I Need?
Just like with all kinds of insurance, there are slight differences in each plan. Depending on the reason for your winter travels, you’ll need a different type of travel insurance.
- Single Trip – This plan will only cover one trip, but you can use it for you and the family members you list on the plan.
- Multiple Trips – Get a multiple-trip plan if you have several trips planned throughout the year.
- Domestic Trip – If you’re traveling stateside, you’ll stick to domestic travel insurance.
- International Trip – International travel insurance includes more coverage for passport loss and medical expenses.
- Group Trip – Group travel insurance is best for groups traveling for business or mission trips.
- Student – Since the rise of Covid-19, students have struggled with flight delays or cancellations. Travel insurance specific to student needs is a big help.
If you’re not sure which one you need for your trip, it’s best to discuss it with a travel insurance agent.
3. Is Travel Insurance Expensive?
The cost of travel insurance is usually around 3 to 8% of your total trip. So the more expensive your trip is, the more expensive your insurance will be. The cost also depends on who you choose as your insurance provider and the details of your trip.
- Your age
- Your current health condition
- Length of trip
- Price of trip
- Healthcare costs at the destination
To get an accurate idea of how much your travel insurance could cost, reach out to a travel insurance agent.
4. Is it Worth Getting Travel Insurance?
If you’re not willing to risk losing all the money you’ve paid for your trip, getting travel insurance is probably a good idea. For international vacations, expensive prepaid trips, or concerns about cancellations, it’s recommended to get travel insurance. If your trip is an inexpensive trip to the next town, it may not be worth it.
5. When Do I Get Travel Insurance After Booking a Flight With VIA?
Travel insurance agents recommend getting travel insurance the same day as booking your flight with Valley International Airport. Some insurance companies have a waiting period before they can start providing coverage. You also don’t want to put it off, because there can be a time limit to get coverage in case of a canceled flight.
Winter travel can be unpredictable, and cancellations happen due to weather changes. If you’re traveling internationally or domestically, choose travel insurance that works for you!