Many U.S. health insurance plans provide little or no coverage outside the United States. If you become sick or injured while traveling internationally, you could be responsible for significant medical expenses.
Travel protection plans often include benefits for emergency medical care, hospitalization, emergency medical evacuation, and other unexpected medical situations while you're away from home.
Don't Miss This Important Deadline
If you or anyone traveling has a pre-existing medical condition, it's important to let me know as soon as possible.
Many travel protection plans require coverage to be purchased within 14 days of your initial trip deposit in order to be eligible for a pre-existing medical condition waiver. Missing this deadline could affect your coverage.
If you have questions about travel protection or whether this applies to you, I'm happy to help you review your options before you make your decision.
Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how travel insurance can make a real difference when the unexpected happens. Below are a few real-life examples from my own clients and experiences.
These stories are a reminder that even the best-planned trips can hit a bump in the road. Travel insurance provides not just peace of mind, but real financial protection when you need it most.
Ready to explore coverage options? You’ll find my recommended links below the stories.
A traveler’s connecting flight was delayed due to weather, causing them to miss the cruise departure. Without travel insurance, they had to purchase a last-minute international flight to catch up with the ship at the next port, along with a night at a hotel and meals. All of these costs were paid out of pocket.
Where insurance could have helped: Travel insurance may have reimbursed many of these expenses, or even provided options to rejoin the trip or reschedule altogether.
A couple arrived in Paris for their dream anniversary trip, only to discover 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 spending days tracking down luggage and paying out of pocket.
How insurance helped: Coverage for lost baggage allowed them to replace essentials immediately and focus on enjoying their trip, not the inconvenience.
Shortly after arriving in Italy, a couple tested positive for COVID just days before their cruise. They were unable to board the ship, but chose to make the best of the situation by renting a beachside Airbnb to rest and recover. Thankfully, it was a mild case, and they spent a quiet week recovering with groceries and meals delivered.
Why insurance mattered: Travel insurance helped offset the cost of last-minute accommodations, meals, and other unexpected expenses when their original plans had to change.
On the very first day of a Mediterranean cruise, a traveler suffered a serious arm fracture after a fall onboard. She was airlifted by helicopter to the mainland for emergency surgery and spent ten days recovering in a foreign hospital before she was cleared to return home.
The takeaway: Travel insurance covered emergency medical care and evacuation costs that could have easily reached tens of thousands of dollars.
While exploring Scotland, a traveler experienced a sudden and severe gallbladder attack and required hospital care. With proper documentation, her travel insurance reimbursed the medical expenses and medications, saving her from a significant out-of-pocket cost.
What made the difference: Travel insurance provided coverage for unexpected medical care abroad, where health costs can add up quickly.
One traveler had to cancel her long-anticipated trip to England after breaking her ankle and needing surgery just a week before departure. Because she did not have travel insurance, she lost several thousand dollars in nonrefundable trip expenses.
The result: Without travel insurance, there was no coverage for a last-minute medical cancellation.
Ready to protect your trip? You’ll find my recommended insurance options above
Travel protection isn't one-size-fits-all. Some travelers prefer the added flexibility of a Cancel For Any Reason plan, while others choose more basic coverage that protects against common travel disruptions. The right plan depends on your trip, your budget, and your comfort level with risk.
I'm happy to help you compare your options and explain the differences between plans. While I'm not a licensed insurance agent and can't advise on specific policy language or coverage decisions, I can help you determine which options may be the best fit for your trip.
I recommend that every traveler purchase travel protection. It's one of the best ways to protect the time, money, and memories you've invested in your vacation.
My Recommended Travel Protection
Faye is my preferred travel protection provider because it's simple to use and designed with today's travelers in mind. Their app allows you to upload your trip details, file claims, and, in many cases, receive reimbursement quickly for covered expenses such as flight delays or lost luggage.
Compare Other Travel Insurance Plans
Many travel credit cards include travel protection benefits, so it's worth checking to see what coverage you may already have.
Keep in mind that these benefits can be more complicated than they appear. In many cases, all or part of your trip must be purchased with that specific credit card in order for coverage to apply. Coverage also varies significantly from one card to another.
If you plan to rely on your credit card's travel benefits, it is your responsibility to review your card's Guide to Benefits or contact your credit card issuer to understand what is and isn't covered. LC Travel is unable to interpret or verify credit card travel protection benefits.