Watching everyone come and go on spring break might make you look forward to summer travel. If you're planning a trip in early summer, you should start booking your trip now. You may be wondering about travel insurance when booking, but is it worth it? So let's talk about it! Travel insurance can cover everything from flight cancellations/delays to lost baggage to medical emergencies. Typically, travel experts say insurance premiums can be between 5 and 10 percent of the total cost of your trip. Travel insurance depends on several factors. Things like whether the trip is already refundable, where you're going, and how long you're going. Will you be able to purchase health insurance at your destination? Travel insurance is valuable if: If you are planning a long trip and have multiple reservations. Several different flights, hotel reservations, train tickets, excursions, etc. For such trips, you will be spending a lot of money. Additionally, there are multiple factors that can lead to delays or cancellations along the way. Some of these are non-refundable. If it will save me money in the long run, how much will it cost extra? I'm going abroad and my medical insurance won't cover me there. It gives you a sense of security. For example, you may have a loved one with a health issue, or your destination may experience weather issues such as a hurricane. In either case, you may need to cancel your trip. Insurance has value! Travel insurance is not worth it if: Trips are short and not cost-effective. If you booked a cheap flight and hotel, but the insurance costs are too high, don't worry. Not required for flights and hotels based on their own policies. Airlines have different rules, but they are much friendlier than they used to be. For some tickets, you may also be able to obtain an electronic credit if you cancel a non-refundable ticket. Most hotels allow you to cancel your trip by a certain deadline, such as 24 hours before check-in. Please check our reservation policy first. Your credit card already provides that. Check your credit card policy and make sure you book with a card that offers protection. Have a question for Jeff Rossen? He answers consumer questions every Friday in a new segment, “Rossen Responds.” If you have any questions, please email RossenResponds@hearst.com.
Watching everyone come and go on spring break might make you look forward to summer travel.
If you're planning a trip in early summer, you should start booking your vacation now. You may be wondering about travel insurance when booking, but is it worth it? So let's talk about it!
Travel insurance can cover everything from flight cancellations/delays to lost baggage to medical emergencies. Typically, travel experts say insurance can cost between 5 and 10 percent of the total trip cost.
Travel insurance depends on several factors.
- Whether the trip is already refundable.
- Where are you going and for how long?
- Will you be able to purchase health insurance at your destination?
travel insurance worth it if:
- I'm planning a long trip and have multiple reservations. Several different flights, hotel reservations, train tickets, excursions, etc. For such trips, you will be spending a lot of money. Additionally, there are multiple factors that can lead to delays or cancellations along the way. Some of these are non-refundable. How much extra would you pay if it would save you money in the long run?
- I will be going overseas, but I will not be able to purchase medical insurance there.
- It gives you a sense of security. For example, you may have a loved one with a health issue, or your destination may experience weather issues such as a hurricane. In either case, you may need to cancel your trip. Insurance has value!
travel insurance worthless if:
- Trips are shorter and more cost-effective. If you booked a cheap flight and hotel, but the insurance costs are too high, don't worry.
- Not required for flights and hotels based on their own policies. Airlines have different rules, but they are much friendlier than they used to be. For some tickets, you may also be able to obtain an electronic credit if you cancel a non-refundable ticket. Most hotels allow you to cancel your trip by a certain deadline, such as 24 hours before check-in. Please check our reservation policy first.
- Your credit card already provides that. Check your credit card policy and make sure you book with a card that offers protection.
Have a question for Jeff Rossen? He answers consumer questions every Friday in a new segment, “Rossen Responds.” If you have any questions, please email RossenResponds@hearst.com.
