Should you Buy Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of insurance that is designed to cover many types of expenses that one might accrue or losses one might experience while traveling, whether within one’s own country or in a foreign one. It covers a wide array of different potential costs, and is used in countries around the world. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the aspects of travel insurance that anyone considering getting it should know, such as what is typically covered and how much it typically costs. We’ll even go over a few exclusions that you’ll want to keep in mind, assuming that they apply to you.

There are several things that people commonly use travel insurance to cover – one of the primary ones are medical expenses, as many healthcare plans do not cover costs while in a foreign country, and many foreign countries will not accept health insurance from the traveler’s country of origin. Travel insurance will assure you that your potential medical expenses will be taken care of. Travel insurance also includes emergency evacuation, and in the event that some catastrophic event or political trouble ensues while you are in the country you will be guaranteed safe passage out of it. This is especially crucial in countries that experience frequent armed conflicts, or if you are traveling in a country currently at war.

Travel insurance can even cover things like overseas funerals, cancellation fees, delayed departures, theft while in a foreign country, or legal assistance, should you require it. You may also be able to purchase additional insurance for certain specific costs, such as pre-existing medical conditions like asthma and diabetes, sports with high levels of risk like scuba diving and skiing, or traveling to high-risk countries, such as those experiencing war, terrorism, and natural disasters.


There are a few exceptions, and many travel insurance plans do not normally cover pre-existing medical conditions or events of terrorism. Many travel insurance plans also exclude injury or illness due to alcohol or drug abuse. Travel insurance is not generally expensive, and usually accounts for roughly five percent of the overall expense of a trip when it is included. If that five percent seems worth it to protect you and your loved ones from a wide variety of problems, even those small enough to constitute inconveniences, then getting travel insurance for your next vacation will likely prove to be a worthwhile cost.