Travel Insurance - Who needs it?

We all do. As one who has filed travel insurance claims on two different occasions, I've become a real believer in buying travel insurance for every major trip.

A good travel insurance policy will cover all the things that can possibly go wrong, which goes far beyond mere trip interruption or trip cancellation protection:

Here's a sample of what can go wrong.

Delayed flights

Not a serious problem if you're staying at a resort but if you've booked a cruise and literally missed the boat, what happens?

Unless you have trip interruption insurance, any hotel and travel costs to catch up with your ship come out of your pocket. That can be expensive.
And what about any lost luggage?

Illness or injury

What happens if you or a family member becomes ill ? Or there's a traffic accident on the way to the airport and you miss your flight?

If you're injured in an accident while horseback riding, snorkeling or engaged in any activity, does your present insurance cover the costs of being treated locally -- or to be medically evacuated back home if necessary?

You may have an elderly relative who is not well, and what will you do if they become ill just before your departure? Cancel? Or still take your vacation because you would lose all your money?

Actually, you could still receive a refund if you have Cancel for any Reason insurance, a policy type not offered by all companies. But these do.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes pose a threat for any Caribbean travel from about August 1 to October 30. For instance, one recent hurricane shut down all airports in Central and South Florida for two days, making it impossible for some travelers to reach their destinations in a reasonable amount of time.

Furthermore, the itineraries of some ships were so disrupted that passengers on some ships were incensed and threatened legal action.

Hurricane damage frequently close hotels and interrupt normal day-to-day living for weeks and months.

In some instances travelers were able to postpone their vacations or receive partial refunds, but not all.

To More Problems Travel Insurance Covers

How to compare policies

The following site has received an award from the Better Business Bureau and cited by the Washington Times as "Best of the Web" for travel insurance QuoteWright.com

It's the best place I know to compare travel insurance policies of all types, their costs and coverage. The Cancel for any Reason policy is my personal favorite.

Hopefully, you'll never have the need for travel insurance. But if you do, it could be the smartest investment you've ever made.

Don't overlook the protection you may already have through your credit card or cruise line.

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