Travel Insurance Explained: What You Need to Know

Many Christian travelers ask, “Is travel insurance necessary?” as they prepare for their cruise or tour. Let’s walk through some insights into why it’s essential to consider this added layer of protection.

Why is it important to buy travel insurance?

Travel insurance protects your investment by covering a range of potential issues such as health concerns, family emergencies or logistical hiccups like missed flights or lost luggage. We’ve seen scenarios where having travel insurance has saved our travelers undue costs:

• Health issues before departure
  
  One traveler discovered they had a serious illness before their trip. Because of their travel insurance, they received reimbursement for their cruise.
• Family emergencies
  
  A couple had to leave a cruise early due to a family emergency; travel insurance covered the unexpected trip changes and costs.
• Medical emergencies abroad
  
  A traveler broke a leg overseas and had to return home early. Travel insurance covered the change in their flight.
• Missed flights
  
  When travelers missed a connecting flight, causing them to miss the start of their cruise, their insurance covered an additional flight to catch up to the ship at the next port.

These real-life examples from our travelers show how crucial travel insurance can be.

What types of travel insurance plans are available?

While different types of coverage are available, here are a few categories they generally fall into:

• Coverage before departure protects against trip cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness or emergencies.
• Coverage while traveling protects against medical emergencies, trip interruptions, lost luggage and more while on your journey.
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) is often a premium option, allowing you to cancel your trip and receive reimbursement for any reason.

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Is travel insurance worth the cost?

The answer to this question depends on your health, outlook and risk tolerance. You may decide not to purchase travel insurance for shorter or less expensive trips. But if you’ve saved and saved for the journey of a lifetime, travel insurance protects your investment from cancellations or interruptions due to unforeseen circumstances.

One of the major benefits we see often is how travel insurance can provide crucial coverage for potential medical emergencies. Here’s the reality: When a traveler experiences something that triggers a travel insurance claim, they are always glad it was purchased.

Are there exclusions to travel insurance policies?

Be sure to read the terms and conditions of your specific policy. In broad strokes, many travel insurance policies don’t cover the following: preexisting conditions (though you can sometimes purchase a waiver that includes this coverage), high-risk activities like extreme sports, unapproved or high-risk destinations, terrorism, incidents occurring under the influence of alcohol and drug use, and pregnancy or childbirth.

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What about a personal illness or emergency right before a trip?

Most travel insurance policies cover trip cancellations due to personal illness or medical emergencies before departure. Generally, the insurer will require medical documentation from a licensed physician stating that you are too ill to travel, including a diagnosis and treatment plan. Some preexisting conditions, however, may not be covered. Specific policies also cover cancellations if an immediate family member becomes seriously ill—even if that person is not traveling with you.

What should I do if I need medical assistance and have travel insurance?

When you travel with Inspiration, our team members can coordinate medical assistance. We also recommend that travelers contact their travel insurance provider immediately. Most companies have a 24/7 emergency assistance hotline that will help guide travelers through the appropriate steps and instructions.

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19-related issues?

Yes, many policies cover COVID-19. Be sure to check what each policy includes for peace of mind.

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Does Inspiration recommend travel insurance?

Yes! We recommend purchasing a travel protection plan for your investment. Travel insurance adds a layer of comfort and peace as you dream about your upcoming Christian cruise or tour. From flight cancellations and medical emergencies to lost luggage and travel delays, the unexpected can happen, even on the vacation of a lifetime.

Purchasing travel insurance offers peace of mind and financial protection so you can focus on all the unforgettable moments on your Christian cruise or tour without distractions or worry! With our travelers in mind, Inspiration has partnered with Travelex Insurance Services for various plans, which you can see by clicking here.

Ready to embark on a journey that will deepen your faith and create lifelong memories? Explore our upcoming Christian cruises and tours, and let us take care of the details while you focus on connecting with God and fellow believers.