Is Travel Insurance a Necessity For Travel?

Travel is the movement of individuals between different distant geographic locations. Travel can usually be done by automobile, foot, bike, car, train, plane, boat or other mode, with or without extra luggage, and is one-way or round-trip travel. Most travel occurs by air, with the exception of very quick intra-aerobic routes. A variety of other modes of travel are available, including monorail, railroad train, ferry boats, buses, minibuses, taxicabs and others.

There are different types of travel insurance for different modes of travel, to provide coverage in the event that your trip is interrupted or cut short for any reason. Many companies offer this type of coverage. If you already have travel insurance coverage, it may provide protection if the interruption or cancellation is due to a medical emergency, a death in the family or some other catastrophic occurrence. This type of coverage may also extend to a flight delay or a missed connection.

There are many types of travel insurance policies. One type offers global coverage and some of the provisions of medical travel emergencies, which extends to health emergencies while traveling outside the United States. Another type offers coverage for missed connections that result in a refund of the fare. Other types of coverage include damage and loss of baggage, loss of personal belongings, liability coverage, emergency evacuation, and emergency rescue or repatriation. Policies can also provide coverage for tickets that are lost or delayed. However, there are some restrictions on these types of plans.

Travel insurance policies provide coverage only for bags, suits, clothing and accessories carried during travel. It does not cover items taken as baggage. For instance, if you carry a laptop in a suitcase but do not have other necessary items with you, the coverage does not cover the laptop. Items such as cameras, sunglasses, jewelry and other electronics are not covered by this type of plan. However, there are several plans that offer coverage for these other items as long as they are being carried separately. The cost of the plan depends on the value of the items being covered.

If you purchase a travel package or an individual policy for your trip, you should carefully read the fine print. Some plans provide coverage only for theft, while others may offer coverage for an accidental death. An accidental death is defined as an accidental death resulting from negligence on the part of a traveler. Most airlines and travel providers will provide a coverage policy for accidental deaths, but it may not be adequate. In the event of an accidental death, the surviving family members usually have no recourse to recover damages from the person who caused their loved one’s death.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage protects a traveler in the event that he or she is forced to cancel or interrupt a trip. These plans typically provide coverage up to the date of departure. In most cases, the coverage provided extends until the departure date. A trip insurance policy typically does not cover all types of travel-related events, however, including emergencies and sporting events, though the extent of coverage provided may vary.