Peace of Mind on the Road: The Importance of Travel Insurance
- Amanda Davis
- Sep 4
- 6 min read
Travel has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Whether it’s jetting off with Josh for a relaxing cruise, exploring Hawaii’s dramatic landscapes with friends, or hopping on a flight for a work conference abroad, I’ve come to appreciate that every adventure brings both excitement and unpredictability. And if there’s one lesson I’ve learned time and time again, it’s this: travel insurance is not optional.
When we first started traveling more seriously over a decade ago, I didn’t fully understand the need for travel insurance. It felt like one of those “nice to have” things you hope you never need. But after hearing multiple stories from friends and acquaintances that would have been financially devastating without it, I now consider it just as essential as packing my passport.
In this post, I’ll break down the different types of travel insurance, how to choose the right plan, and share some real-life stories of how it’s saved vacations and wallets.
What Is Travel Insurance, Really?
Travel insurance is a safety net. At its core, it’s a policy that helps reimburse you for non-refundable travel expenses if something goes wrong before or during your trip. That might include canceled flights, medical emergencies, lost luggage, or even needing to cut your trip short because of a family emergency.
Most policies fall into a few major categories:
Trip Cancellation or Interruption Coverage
Emergency Medical and Evacuation Coverage
Baggage and Personal Effects Protection
Travel Delay and Missed Connection Coverage
Accidental Death or Flight Accident Coverage
Some comprehensive policies cover all of the above, while others are more limited or customizable. Choosing the right one depends on where you’re going, what you’re doing, and what kind of risks you’re willing to take.
Real-Life Scenarios: When Travel Insurance Paid Off
The Time Your Luggage Decided to Stay in Paris
A few years ago, some friends took a long-awaited trip to Italy. They were flying through Paris when a delay caused a tight connection, and their checked luggage didn’t make the final leg. They arrived in Rome with only our carry-ons and not much else.
Thankfully, their travel insurance policy covered baggage delays. They were able to purchase clothes, toiletries, and other necessities while waiting for their bags to catch up. The reimbursement didn’t take long, and it meant they could enjoy our first few days without stress or financial strain.
The Unexpected Detour: A Family Emergency Back Home
In 2019, some friends were on a two-week vacation in the UK when they got a call that a close family member was hospitalized. They dropped everything and flew home early.
That interruption was heartbreaking, but the cost didn’t have to be. Their travel insurance policy reimbursed them for the unused hotel nights, prepaid tours, and even part of the return flight. It gave them the ability to focus on family instead of fretting over lost funds.
Medical Mishaps Abroad
While in Mexico a few years ago, a friend we were traveling with ended up needing medical attention for a stomach issue. Fortunately, her travel insurance policy covered emergency care at a private clinic and even coordinated with the hospital to pay directly, so she didn’t have to handle reimbursement paperwork on top of being sick.
It’s easy to assume your domestic health insurance will cover you abroad, but in most cases, it won’t. This is especially true for Medicare recipients, which is something to keep in mind if you're traveling with older family members.
How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance Policy
There’s no one-size-fits-all plan, but these are the steps I follow every time we travel:
1. Consider the Total Cost of Your Trip
If you’re booking a once-in-a-lifetime cruise or prepaying thousands in non-refundable deposits, you’ll want a robust policy that includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage. If you’re going on a quick weekend trip with minimal prepaid expenses, a cheaper, more limited plan might suffice.
2. Think About Your Health and Activities
Are you going somewhere remote? Planning a high-adrenaline excursion? Have a pre-existing condition? Look for policies that offer strong emergency medical and evacuation benefits. Some even offer coverage for adventure activities that typical plans exclude.
3. Check for Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
Some plans won’t cover medical issues related to pre-existing conditions unless you purchase the policy within a certain window after your initial trip deposit, often 14 to 21 days. If this is relevant for you or your companions, read the fine print carefully.
4. Compare Plans Side by Side
Sites like Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip make it easy to compare different policies based on your needs and trip details. I also recommend checking with your credit card issuer. Some cards offer built-in travel protection when you use them to book your trip.
5. Read Reviews and Fine Print
I always take time to read customer reviews and look at what’s included, what’s excluded, and how claims are processed. Some companies are known for fast and fair reimbursements, while others have a reputation for red tape.
Common Myths About Travel Insurance
“My Credit Card Covers Me”
Some premium cards offer excellent travel protection, but benefits vary. Most don’t include emergency medical coverage, and very few offer cancel-for-any-reason coverage. Always read your card’s policy guide and consider purchasing supplemental insurance. We have great coverage through some of our premium cards, but we also have supplemental policies that cover emergency medical care abroad and other items.
“I’m Healthy and Never Cancel Trips”
I used to think this, too. But illness, natural disasters, strikes, political unrest, and even lost passports can derail a trip. Travel insurance is about protecting yourself from the unexpected, not the predictable.
“It’s Too Expensive”
Most travel insurance policies cost between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. For a $3,000 trip, that’s roughly $120 to $300. When you weigh that against the potential cost of canceling at the last minute, getting injured abroad, or needing an emergency evacuation, it’s a reasonable investment.
When and How to Buy Travel Insurance
The best time to purchase travel insurance is soon after booking your trip, especially if you want coverage for pre-existing conditions or a “cancel for any reason” upgrade.
Some of the companies I’d recommend include:
GeoBlue (especially for longer international travel)
Make sure you save a digital and printed copy of your policy, including the emergency contact number for claims assistance. I keep ours in a shared Google Drive folder that both Josh and I can access from anywhere.
Final Thoughts: Travel Insurance Is for Everyone
It doesn’t matter if you’re a budget traveler or staying in five-star hotels. Emergencies don’t discriminate based on your itinerary. Travel insurance is one of the few things you hope you never have to use, but when you need it, it can make all the difference.
Josh and I have traveled to dozens of countries over the years, and while we’ve had our fair share of hiccups, having travel insurance has always brought us peace of mind. I’ll never forget how it turned frustrating or scary moments into manageable ones and gave us the confidence to keep exploring.
So, before you book that next big adventure, take a few minutes to explore your options and pick the plan that makes sense for you. Your future self will thank you.
Recommendations
Are you planning your next trip and looking for services that make travel smoother? Here are a few of my go-to recommendations:
Stay Connected Abroad: I use Airalo eSIMs to avoid the hassle of swapping SIM cards in every country.
Protect Your Data: NordVPN keeps my internet connection safe when I’m on public Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, or cafés.
Travel Europe by Train: I book through Trainline for easy tickets across Europe, including London, Italy, Spain, and France.
Relax Before You Fly: Priority Pass gives you access to airport lounges around the world.
Find the Right Stay: For vacation rentals, I like using VRBO.
See the City with Ease: Hop-on, hop-off tours are a fun way to get oriented. Check out Big Bus Tours in Vienna, Rome, Berlin, Istanbul, and Dubai.
Book Tours and Transfers: I often use Get Your Guide and Viator to arrange activities, tickets, and transfers in advance.
Hotels, Cars, and Flights: Expedia is one of my go-to sites for comparing and booking travel.
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase or booking through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help me keep creating and sharing travel content here on From Lawrence with Love. Thank you for supporting the blog!
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