Traveling is filled with excitement and adventure, but unexpected situations can turn even the most well-planned trip into a financial and emotional nightmare.

The Risks of Skipping Travel Insurance

Without travel insurance, travelers risk paying out-of-pocket for medical emergencies, which can range from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. Additionally, returning home for treatment or specialized care may involve costly last-minute flights or medical transport.

Also, if you have a medical emergency at home and cannot travel, travel insurance will help cover non-refundable booking costs.

How Travel Insurance Makes a Difference

The specific services and benefits provided by Travel Insurance vary by state of residence, but here are some of the key areas of coverage offered by insurance.

Travel Coverage:

• Trip Cancellation (for covered events), 100% of trip cost
• Trip Interruption (for covered events), 150% of trip cost
• Travel Delay (for covered events), $200/person per day (up to $600 per person, $6,000 per reservation)
• Baggage, $1,000 max per person or $10,000 per reservation
• Baggage Delay, $1,000 max per person or $10,000 per reservation
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (Travel Accident), $100,000
• Medical + Dental (for covered acute care needs), $25,000 max per person or $250,000 per reservation
• Emergency Assistance and Transportation, $1,000,000 (per person and per reservation maximum)
• Rental Car Damage, $25,000

Medical Care

• 24/7 Telemedicine (may not be available in all states; coverage limited in some countries)
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses (Guest must call the services hotline first to determine coverage availability; the assistant will then find a local provider and coordinate service  guaranteed not to exceed $1,000 out of pocket, only applicable to acute illness, does not cover emergency medical. Restrictions and exclusions may apply).
• Replacement of medication or eyeglasses 
• Relay emergency messages to friends/family
• Coordinate pet return home if needed
• Coordinate rental car return if needed

Concierge Services

•  They offer concierge services that provide referrals to local vendors/restaurants, make reservations, coordinate tee times, coordinate gift basket deliveries, coordinate arrival/departure transportation, rental car reservations, airline reservations, and pet services locator (i.e., veterinarians, pet sitters).

Identity Theft Resolution Services

*Provided by a designated provider

Collect information regarding identity theft occurrence:

• List of creditors to be contacted and contact them with an itemized list of account statements for each fraudulent occurrence,
• Report/assist in reporting the theft to local authorities
• Notify credit bureaus, and place an alert on your record
• Credit monitoring for one year
• Place a security freeze on credit records (in states that allow it)
• Submit guest authorization/affidavit requesting cancellation of cards/reissue new cards
• Assist in notifying any other authorities to take appropriate action for any other items stolen (i.e. passport, driver's license, etc),
• Provide weekly report update as to status until the matter is resolved

Two-Real World Examples the Benefits of Travel Insurance

Two recent examples illustrate the critical importance of having comprehensive travel insurance and how it can provide financial protection, peace of mind, and potentially life-saving assistance when the unexpected happens.

Medical Emergency Abroad

One US traveler on vacation abroad faced a life-threatening health crisis. Their blood pressure skyrocketed, and they were at high risk of a stroke. Although the local hospital provided excellent care and stabilized their condition, the family was required to put down a credit card deposit before treatment could continue. Fortunately, they had purchased travel insurance, which stepped in to cover the costs after initial stabilization, sparing them from financial stress during a critical time.

All you need to do is Google the benefits of travel insurance and you'll find Reddit and Tripadvisor pages where people share horror stories about losing non-refundable fees or having to pay up to $20,000 before any necessary medical care could commence in foreign healthcare systems. 

Illness in the Family

We have had guests plan their stays at a gorgeous vacation home many months in advance, only to have a family health emergency impact their travel plans. Often, rental fees are non-refundable, or the crisis will occur close to a travel date and outside the refundability window.

One such guest saved thousands when their elderly parent became ill, impacting their ability to travel. These guests were beyond grateful for their trip coverage.

Comprehensive Coverage: A Small Price for Peace of Mind

Credit cards often advertise travel benefits, but these policies typically offer limited coverage and exclude critical services like hospitalization, medical evacuation, or emergency surgeries.

Comprehensive travel insurance policies, including CSA/Generali Global Assistance, which Exotic Estates offers, go beyond basic coverage. They include protection for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, evacuations, and more, providing a safety net for nearly any travel-related situation.

Protect Yourself Before You Go

Travel insurance is a small investment that can save you from significant financial loss and unnecessary stress. Whether exploring a tropical destination or embarking on an international adventure, comprehensive travel insurance protects you if you need to cancel a trip due to illness or transportation interuptions beyond your control, or have a medical emergency outside of the country and need treatment.

Nobody wants to think of the worst when planning a holiday, but it's easy to purchase when you book your vacation home. Plan for the unexpected and travel with peace of mind.