Travel Protection
Is it really necessary?
Your trip is a significant investment in resources and time, and you should not overlook travel protection for your next trip!
Many think of travel protection or trip insurance as an easy out if they change their minds about wanting to travel, but that is not the purpose or the value of trip protection. For me, travel protection is a safety net for me when I’m traveling and adventuring that provides help and assistance in those rare scenarios when things go sideways with big ramifications – my bags are lost, and I’m purchasing a whole new wardrobe during the trip; I take a rogue wave paddleboarding and break my hand in another country; a flight is canceled, and I have to purchase tickets last-minute.
In some situations, like purchasing travel vendor policies discussed below, I can incorporate coverage directly into your overall package. This works best when all your trip components are booked with the same providers – like going to an all-inclusive resort or cruise.
In other situations, when trips are crafted using a variety of vendors across several locations, where travel protection is not offered as part of a package, you may be better suited to using an insurance company specializing in travel.
Why should I purchase travel protection?
Your trip is a significant investment, and the world has learned to expect the unexpected. If you choose to decline this valuable protection, you assume any financial loss associated with your travel arrangements and are solely responsible for any expenses incurred due to, but not limited to:
- cancellation, delay, or interruption
- emergency medical treatment and transportation
- baggage and personal effects
- flight and travel accident
- rental car theft/damage
When should you purchase travel insurance?
Generally, the main guidelines for when travelers should purchase travel insurance are:
- Immediately after the first trip payment, within 7 days is optimum.
- As close to the first trip payment, within 21 days, is a great idea.
- Before the plan is needed – you can’t insure what has already happened.
Some comprehensive travel insurance plans offer additional coverages with time-sensitive eligibility requirements tied to the initial trip payment. While not all travel insurance benefits are time-sensitive, you may get more value from a policy when purchasing early – especially those with pre-existing medical conditions or a desire to cancel for any reason coverage.
What's the catch?
There is no catch, but remember that once you have paid for travel protection, those premiums are non-refundable. Even if you cancel your trip with no penalties from any hotel, flight, or tour provider, your insurance premium will not be refunded.
Consider this – if you purchase insurance for a car but sell it shortly after that, you can’t get a refund if you never needed the coverage – they were actively providing coverage regardless of whether or not you had to file a claim.
Where should I get travel protection?
I am a travel advisor – not a licensed insurance provider, and I cannot speak to the specific coverage option and benefits. However, I can facilitate providing you with the best information and industry connections.
- Travel Vendors: In many situations, trip protection can be bundled by most travel vendors (i.e., Disney, Sandals, cruise lines, Delta Vacations, etc.), typically included in your quote or provided separately. These are not always available or a great option when you have more complex trips across multiple vendors and booking sources. This can be handled and added to your trip when we are making the deposits and generally able to be added up until final payment. Each policy is different with regards to when it needs be added to the trip for full coverage, and each is different on what it provides. Let’s always discuss adding this to your trip.
- Third-Party Providers: As a part of Rogue Travel Collective*, I have affiliate access with Travel Insurance Master and InsureMyTrip to connect clients with two strong providers with easy-to-navigate sites that put the best options for travel protection at your fingertips. Both offer a great variety of leading industry insurance policies in an easy-to-view side-by-side format for you to compare coverage options, prices, and benefits that best fit your needs. Most importantly, they will be there for you before, during, and after your trip if you have any insurance needs – especially helping with a claim with the provider. Each provides live support to answer any questions about policy specifics for each company they provide policies. Each of these sites offers a quick and easy quoting tool that will pull the best options for your trip as it stands currently. Be prepared to provide your
- deposit date
- your overall trip cost
- final payment date
- Personal Insurance Broker: Please feel free to speak to your preferred insurance broker regarding the best insurance policy based on your current portfolio. In my experience, personal agents don’t work with travel policies frequently, and using a third-party provider is more efficient. Please do this before or immediately after your deposit, as rates and coverage options are impacted by the deposit date and time from adding coverage.
* Rogue Travel Collective is a co-op of independently operating travel consultants and is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel Registration No. ST42982. AGENCY_NAME is an Independent Affiliate of Rogue Travel Collective, LLC.
