Today, I'd like to recount a personal experience highlighting the importance of trip and travel insurance, particularly when journeying abroad. Several months back, my wife and I set out on an adventure to Bali. We've made it a practice to invest in travel insurance for our international excursions. Until our most recent trip, we had never found ourselves in a situation requiring us to file a claim.
Trip Insurance vs Travel Insurance
Various types of coverage fall under the umbrella of travel insurance, commonly referred to as trip insurance. This includes coverage for the overall expenses of your trip and a separate category for insurance that encompasses both medical incidents and trip costs. Many travel insurance providers offer both options, providing flexibility for users to customize their coverage based on individual needs.

The importance of travel insurance on international trips
Travel insurance becomes particularly crucial for international journeys due to the unforeseeable nature of events. International travel insurance provides coverage for emergency medical expenses in case of accidents or sickness, offering peace of mind for unforeseen circumstances. One significant aspect of this coverage is the provision for emergency medical evacuation expenses, ensuring financial support in worst-case scenarios that may require transportation by a medical plane.
In a recent personal experience, less than 10 hours into our international trip to Bali, Indonesia, my wife suffered an accident, breaking her leg just after a 24-hour flight. We immediately sought medical attention, and although surgery wasn't necessary, the incident incurred various expenses. Thanks to our travel insurance, we were able to file a claim. By the end of our trip, we received a reimbursement totaling $1800, covering medical costs, wheelchair and shower chair rentals, the cast, and pain relievers. It's crucial to retain all receipts, medical reports, x-rays, and related documents for successful claims processing.

Why you need trip insurance - The importance of trip insurance
Our travel insurance not only covered unexpected medical expenses but also provided an option for trip interruption. Had we chosen to cancel and return home at that point, our travel insurance would have facilitated reimbursement for the trip interruption. Such coverage typically falls under cancellation, interruption, or delay clauses, subject to approval. These policies often offer coverage up to 150% of the trip cost in the event of an interruption, providing an additional layer of financial protection for unforeseen circumstances.
Travel insurance to cancel for any reason
I recently assisted a client who faced a unique situation concerning their father's health. Despite the trip being scheduled for another 10 months, the client opted to add an additional layer of protection by including the "cancel for any reason" option to their travel insurance. This specific add-on allows for reimbursement of up to 75% of non-refundable trip expenses in the event of trip cancellation for any reason, provided it occurs up to 48 hours before departure. It's important to note that this particular coverage must be purchased within 14 days of the initial trip deposit to be valid. With this added safeguard, my client can obtain reimbursement if unforeseen circumstances arise and they need to cancel the trip.
Where to get travel insurance
The most straightforward way to secure travel insurance with the coverage mentioned is through one of our trusted partners, Faye Insurance. Faye offers a range of options tailored to cover the scenarios described earlier, providing a convenient and comprehensive solution.
Additionally, it's advisable to review the fine print of your credit cards, as some may offer certain protections during travel. It's worth exploring this avenue to understand the extent of coverage provided.
Checking with your HR department is also a prudent step. Your company or health insurance may offer medical coverage while traveling overseas. However, it's crucial to note that for international travel, you may need to enable specific coverage, as domestic coverage within the US may not automatically extend to international trips.
In my personal experience, purchasing travel insurance has provided invaluable peace of mind. I make it a practice to acquire it for every international trip, and there was a time when I had to use it. Considering the uncertainties of travel, especially on once-in-a-lifetime journeys like my trip to Bali, the investment in travel insurance—typically a couple of hundred dollars or less—pales in comparison to the potential financial loss or wasted expenses that could result from unforeseen events during your trip.
Contact me directly for quote or click below to get a quote yourself, from Faye Insurance.
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