Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how travel insurance can make a world of difference when the unexpected happens. Scroll down to see a few real-life examples from my own clients and experiences. (Believe it or not, one of these stories is from my own experience. Any guesses which one?)
These stories are a reminder that even the best-planned vacations can hit a bump in the road. Travel insurance offers not only peace of mind but real financial protection when you need it most.
On the very first day of a Mediterranean cruise, one traveler suffered a compound fracture in her arm after a fall onboard. She had to be airlifted by helicopter to the mainland for emergency surgery and spent ten days recovering in a foreign hospital before she was cleared to fly home. Gratefully, she listened to her travel advisor and had purchased travel insurance which covered the bills.
A couple tested positive for COVID shortly after arriving in Italy, just days before their cruise. They couldn’t board the ship but decided to make the best of it—renting a beachside Airbnb to rest and recover. Thankfully, it was a mild case, and they enjoyed a peaceful week soaking up the sun, getting groceries delivered and meals via DoorDash. Their insurance helped cover many of the unexpected costs.
One traveler had to cancel her long-anticipated trip to England after breaking her ankle and needing surgery just a week before departure. Unfortunately, she didn’t have travel insurance and ended up losing several thousand dollars in nonrefundable expenses.
A traveler’s connecting flight was delayed due to weather, causing them to miss the cruise departure. Because they hadn’t purchased travel insurance, they had to buy a last-minute international flight to try to catch up with the ship at the next port—plus several nights of hotels and meals along the way. All of it came out of pocket. With insurance, those costs could’ve been reimbursed, or they might have even qualified for a different trip altogether.
A couple arrived in Paris for their dream anniversary trip—only to find that the airline had lost both of their bags. Thankfully, they had travel insurance that covered lost baggage and emergency clothing purchases. They were able to buy new outfits and essentials right away and enjoy their vacation instead of wasting days tracking down luggage and replacing everything themselves.
While exploring Scotland, a traveler was hit with a sudden and severe gallbladder attack and needed hospital care. With proper documentation, her travel insurance reimbursed her for all medical expenses and medications—saving her from a hefty out-of-pocket bill.