Travel Insurance: Protection You Should Never Skip

Travel insurance is designed to protect you financially and medically when things don’t go as planned. Coverage varies by policy, but may include:

• Trip cancellation or interruption 
• Medical expenses while traveling 
• Emergency medical evacuation 
• Travel delays and missed connections 
• Lost or delayed baggage
   

Selecting the right policy is critical, as coverage limits and exclusions differ.

 Unexpected events can happen to anyone—before or during a trip. Illness, injury, family emergencies, weather disruptions, or supplier changes can result in significant financial loss.

Without travel insurance, travelers assume full responsibility for non-refundable costs and emergency expenses. Travel insurance exists to reduce risk and provide peace of mind.

Many travelers assume their personal health insurance will cover them while traveling. In reality, most domestic health insurance plans:

• Offer limited or no coverage outside the U.S. 
• Do not cover medical evacuation 
• Require out-of-network reimbursement
   

Even when some coverage exists, travelers are often required to pay upfront and seek reimbursement later.

Some credit cards include travel insurance benefits, but these plans typically:

• Have low coverage limits 
• Offer secondary coverage, not primary 
• Exclude medical evacuation or have minimal limits 
• Require extensive documentation for reimbursement
   

In a real emergency—especially overseas—credit card coverage is often insufficient to cover medical care or evacuation costs.

Understanding whether a travel insurance policy is primary or secondary is critical.

Primary Coverage

• Pays eligible claims first 
• No need to file with other insurance providers 
• Faster and simpler claims process
   

Secondary Coverage

• Pays only after other insurance is billed 
• Requires additional paperwork and delays 
• Often found with credit card coverage
   

Primary coverage is generally recommended for travelers seeking stronger protection and faster assistance.

Cruise travel presents unique risks, including strict cancellation penalties and limited onboard medical facilities. Medical evacuations from ships can be extremely expensive and are rarely covered by standard health insurance.

Travel insurance helps protect against

:

• Cruise cancellation penalties 
• Missed ports or interruptions 
• Emergency medical care at sea 
• Evacuation to appropriate medical facilities

 We strongly recommend that all travelers purchase travel insurance appropriate for their trip. Travel insurance is not an optional add-on—it is a critical part of responsible travel planning.

We are happy to explain coverage options and help you understand what level of protection makes sense for your travel plans.