Why Travel Insurance is NOT a Gimmick

In the age of extended warranties and insurance for "just in case" scenarios, there is a common myth or misconception that travel insurance/protection is NOT needed and that its only added on or offered in order for the travel agencies or companies selling it to make additional money.

While I do understand WHY this is a common misconception (have you ever bought a home warranty that covers NOTHING OR have your house flood during a natural disaster and have NOTHING covered because you didn't have the "right type" of insurance? *it happened to me 😞*)--this common myth can really put you in a bind when it comes to travel.

Now more than EVER its important to get the right type of travel insurance if you are traveling ANYWHERE (have you heard of this thing called COVID-19?!).

I am NOT a travel insurance agent--simply a travel agent...but I can give you the basics of what to look for when you are purchasing a travel protection plan.

When you book a trip with me if my supplier/hotel offers it--I will usually offer you the insurance policy that the supplier or hotel is offering first. These policies are usually a little pricey ($80 - $140 more per person in most cases) BUT they will give you ALL of your money back minus the cost of the travel insurance premium in the event that you cancel.

So, when you've spent $3,000 on a trip and find out 2 days before that you can't travel or maybe you simply just don't want to go on your trip--you would be refunded everything back minus the amount spent on the insurance. Supplier and Hotel insurance usually has to be purchased and paid for at the time that you make a deposit on your reservation. The wording that you want to look for is Cancel for Any Reason Protection within the policy.

Sometimes I have clients that don't think that they need insurance and second guess themselves after they deposit and they decide that they DO indeed want insurance. In that case, I book them with my third party insurance provider Allianz Travel Insurance. They offer a few different plans, but I most often book the Classic Plan OR the Classic Plan with Cancel for Any Reason. With a Classic Plan; you will be able to make a claim if you cancel from what it outlined as a covered reason within your policy. If you have the Classic Plan with Cancel for Any Reason--most of the Allianz policies will give you up to 80% of what you spent back after you file a claim.
*NOTE- Allianz policies have different coverage amounts, terms and conditions based on the state that you live in and the policy chosen*

In addition to Cancel for Any Reason policies, travel insurance is beneficial due to the Accident coverage, Medical Coverage, Emergency Evacuation coverage and more. I personally don't travel without a travel insurance policy. When you are far from home, especially in another country--you want that additional protection that will get you out fast if something were to happen. You also want reassurance that if you are taken to an emergency room and they want $5000 cash up front, that your travel insurance provider can pick up that amount for you and/or reimburse you for the unforeseen expense.

As your travel agent I can suggest policies to you that will best fit your needs. If you need in depth answers to questions, each supplier/hotel/travel insurance company that I partner with has agents readily available to answer questions about your specific needs.

Also-did you know that you can purchase a third-party insurance policy at anytime? Just message me for a travel insurance quote. You can purchase for any trip that you take; even if I didn't initially book the trip for you. 

Allianz does pay me for referrals, but you are not charged additional fees if you book through me (its the same cost through me or Allianz direct); but you have my guidance if you need to file or claim or need help understanding a policy.

Before you decline travel protection on your next getaway, please think about the travel investment that you made made, your health, and safety for yourself and those traveling along with you. 

Thanks for reading!

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