Don't Forget Travel Insurance When Booking Your Holiday Travel Plans

Many travel professionals recommend purchasing travel insurance prior to traveling; and this is especially true for travel during the holiday season where the unexpected – such as winter storms or sick children – can derail your travel plans.

There are a number of things you should consider when planning your holiday travel, and travel insurance should be a part of that.

Things to Consider When Planning Your Holiday Travel

When Are You Traveling?

Of course, one of the first things to consider when planning your holiday season travel is deciding when you want to travel. Do you want to travel during the season’s peak of Thanksgiving or Christmas weeks, or do you prefer to take you trip when things have calmed down, maybe in between the two holidays or after?

Are You Traveling Internationally or Domestically?

Where you are traveling to can also affect your pre-trip planning, especially if you are traveling internationally. Making sure you have all your required travel documents – such as active passports for all members of your traveling party – is an essential planning activity for international travel.

Also important, even if you are traveling within the United States, is understanding what kind of coverage your health insurance provides when traveling outside of your home state. In general, many health insurance plans may not cover care received outside the United States, including Medicare and Medicaid plans. Additionally, several health insurance plans may not cover care received in other states.

Both domestic and international travelers should consider a travel medical insurance plan if your health insurance doesn’t provide coverage while traveling.

Additionally, consider what could happen in a medical emergency. If you are far from home, and experience an accident or illness that requires you to go someplace for emergency care or return home for long-term treatment, a travel medical insurance policy may cover the expenses associated with that evacuation.

Are You Traveling with Kids or Seniors?

Often, holiday travel includes multiple generations making their journeys to celebrate together. While this is what makes the holiday season so special, it also adds complexity to travel plans.

As any parent can tell you, traveling with kids can be a tricky proposition. Kids and their knack for getting sick at the worst possible times – especially during the winter months – puts travel plans in constant jeopardy. Travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage can help save your holiday season if a young one were to get sick right before the trip.

Senior travelers also can be at risk when traveling. With many American seniors on Medicare or Medicaid plans, they may be lacking medical insurance coverage when traveling. Additionally, pre-existing conditions can not only make travel difficult, but also make finding the proper coverage a challenge. Seniors traveling during the holiday season should consider a travel insurance plan with medical benefits and a Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion waiver in the policy.

What Activities Will You Be Doing?

Now that you know when you are going, where you are going, and who is coming with you, you need to decide what you will be doing while you’re there.

If you are considering doing activities such as skiing in a winter destination or SCUBA diving in a warmer locale, there are different types of travel insurance depending on your holiday plans.

With Arch RoamRight travel insurance plans, skiing and SCUBA diving (involving an underwater breathing apparatus or if PADI or NAUI certified, above 130 feet) are both covered activities under the base plans. However, more adventurous activities such as bungee jumping or SCUBA diving to depths beyond 130 feet require a Hazardous Sports Upgrade.

Why You Should Consider Vacation Travel Insurance for the Holiday Season

Whether it be because of gaps in health insurance coverage when traveling, or because of the risk of trip cancellation due to sick children, you should consider travel insurance for the holiday season.

What Can Travel Insurance Cover?

With benefits such as trip cancellation and trip interruption, travel insurance can help protect the financial costs you have paid into your trip. Travel insurance can also provide medical coverage for when you are traveling outside of your network.

Arch RoamRight travel insurance plans feature a number of benefits that could be of use for your holiday travel plans.

As always, it is recommended that you read the policy prior to purchasing travel insurance to understand the coverages, benefit limits, and exclusions.

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.