Preparing for a trip, especially overseas, can take a lot of planning and preparation. One question many travelers may have is whether or not they need to purchase travel insurance. There are several types to consider. The most common are flight, baggage, medical and evacuation, and trip cancellation coverages. The following information discusses when purchasing coverage for you tirp is a good investment as well as circumstances when it is probably not necessary.
When You Should Purchase Travel Insurance
If you have a chronic health condition and are traveling to a developing country, you should seriously consider purchasing travel medical coverage. Anyone who relies on Medicare should purchase insurance when traveling abroad. Medicare does not cover medical costs outside the United States. No matter what your age or health, if you're traveling overseas or going on a cruise you should probably also purchase a plan that includes emergency medical evacuation. This covers transportation costs from a remote area. Medical evacuation coverage can be purchased on a yearly basis, not per trip. This would be advisable for anyone who travels often, especially on cruises or overseas. If you're an adventure seeker who likes to climb mountains or go scuba diving, purchasing insurance is a good idea.
When Travel Insurance Probably Isn't Necessary
If you're traveling within the United States purchasing traveler's medical coverage, even if you have a chronic health condition, is probably not necessary because your current health insurance plan would likely be adequate. It is advisable, however, to check with your provider ahead of time to find out exactly what they do and do not cover. Baggage plans are usually not worth purchasing since baggage is generally already covered by the airline. Baggage insurance usually comes in comprehensive plans, not by itself, and there are often strict caps on how much it will pay out. Flight insurance is probably the least necessary of all types. This type generally pays out if the plane crashes and you are on it. Considering the expense and the likelihood of a crash, it's not worth purchasing. Trip cancellation coerage wouldn't be necessary if the trip isn't a big investment. If you've paid a few hundred dollars for a flight from Chicago to Florida it wouldn't be advisable to purchase this type of coverage.
In general, the more extensive and expensive the trip, the greater the need for travel insurance. Those who are not in good health and are traveling abroad should usually purchase travel medical coverage as well. Health coverage should be purchased for those on Medicare going overseas and emergency evacuation for most people who are planning on traveling abroad. Some credit cards may offer certain types of coverage or protection if parts of the trip are purchased with the card.
