Travel Insurance
Why You Need It

This is one of those topics that nobody likes to discuss but everyone needs to discuss. Let’s face it. You need travel insurance when you go on a trip. Buying it before you leave is a necessary part of travel planning. Travel is an uncertain activity that can often go wrong. We are fallible, fragile human beings whose lives can never be entirely uneventful, and who sometimes fall ill while traveling, or need to cancel a trip for a dozen reasons, or interrupt it in mid-course.

We need travel insurance and it’s easy and inexpensive to obtain. The most basic type of coverage costs about $5.50 per every thousand dollars. However, prices will vary by the type of coverage you choose and the traveler’s age. All travel vendors offer some type of cancellation or trip interruption insurance and those policies can be included in the cost of the trip.

Recognizing the importance of travel insurance, Chappelle’s Travel Engine recommends travel insurance as a stand-alone product. Think you don’t need travel insurance. Think again! These are some typical situations all covered by various policies. Without insurance, what would you do?

• It’s 10PM and your family arrives at the airport for a connecting flight only to find that the flight has been cancelled. How do you get your family home?
  
  

• Your traveling companion’s bag was lost with his insulin inside. He needs help to locate his bag as soon as possible and his emergency prescription filled. Who do you call?
  
  

• Your first trip to Europe, and your passport and wallet are stolen. Where do you turn for emergency cash, and how will you get your passport replaced?
  
  

• Your spouse is involved in an accident and adequate medical treatment is not available. Who will help arrange and pay for a medical evacuation?
  
  

• Your cruise line, airline or tour operator goes bankrupt. Who will pay for your non-refundable expenses? Who will help get you to your destination?
  
  

• If your sister-in-law becomes seriously ill and you choose to cancel your trip, what happens to your non-refundable deposits or pre-payments?
  
  

• Three weeks before your scheduled arrival, a terrorist incident occurs in the city you are planning to visit. Who will pay if you want to cancel your trip?
  
  

• You are at a beach resort in North Carolina, and are forced to evacuate due to an approaching hurricane. Who will help you evacuate and who will reimburse your lost vacation?

Selecting the right type of travel insurance can cover all of these situations. If you are like most of us, you don’t just look forward to your vacations, you need them. Protect your vacation investment. Missing a vacation is bad enough. Losing the money you paid for a vacation is even worse. Everyone needs travel insurance for every trip. Purchase your self some "peace of mind." Don’t leave home without it!

Need a visa? Is your passport valid?
What about vaccinations?

Be informed by the global trade organization,
The International Air Transport Association (IATA).