Travel Insurance - Vacation

Periodically, I write a post about insurance. Whether it be travel insurance, vacation insurance or car insurance for rentals, I try to stay current. Since we are now in the heart of winter and storms across the U.S> are fouling up people's travel plans, I think it my civic duty to provide another article regarding the need for certain types of travel insurance.

As one who has to tell several guests per month that we cannot cancel their same day reservation simply because they are delayed in Chicago or New York, I write as an advocate for the consumer. Hotels do NOT want to tell guests they have to pay to NOT stay, especially when it is it he fault of an airline which cancels a flight or Mother Nature that brews up a big snowstorm overnight and the best laid plans of mice and travelers are run asunder.

So here is a great article of exactly what kind of travel insurance policy you should ask about. I found it out of the U.K. on 'Wallet Pop' - an online website with a bit of everything for everyone. Their article "Travel Insurance: Cover to Protect You From Extreme Weather" hits the nail right on the head for identifying not only the need for travel insurance but what you can expect to buy and what coverage you should look for.

Comments

[Bruce Bair]

David,
Thanks for the info on this type of insurance. I wonder if you can point me to information about things like evacuation insurance if you are traveling on an adventure tour outside the US or just for the older traveler with a problem like diabetes.
I have encountered residents of other countries in my clinic who have had serious diabetic foot problems that required I advised them to return home for treatment.
Is there such insurance? Is it worth it?

[David]

There is insurance that will cover you in case of illness or injury but the majority of normal travel medical insurance coverage would require you to seek doctors or hospitals in the home country. I am sure you could get a special rider for evacuation purposes but it would (IMHO) most likely be outrageously expensive. So yes to the first part (it is available) but no to the 2nd (is it worth it?)