Winter is here, and that means so are the cold, dreary, and often snowy, days. Why not plan a vacation? Planning a vacation is fun! However, it is often expensive. Don’t forget that your independent insurance agent can provide insurance resources to help protect your trip. That way, all you need to worry about is whether you are ordering a piña colada or a strawberry daquiri—or both!
You can, in fact, use your homeowners insurance policy for protection while traveling. If an airline loses your luggage or if someone breaks into your hotel room and steals everything you brought, such a policy may pay to replace the lost items since coverage for personal property may be granted anywhere in the world. However, be mindful of whether or not your specific homeowners policy will limit the amount of that coverage and your deductibles.
Travel insurance is also available to use; It was designed to cover various risks and unexpected events that might occur while traveling. Some people prefer having a separate travel insurance policy in place for their trips for the simple fact that any claims associated with such trip will not affect their homeowners policy and its premiums. It provides financial protection and peace of mind for many different scenarios, and some of the common types of coverage included in these policies include:
Trip cancellation/interruption, which provides reimbursement for prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you must cancel or cut short your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness, a family emergency, or other covered reasons.
Medical expenses, which covers medical costs due to illness or injury while traveling, especially in a location where your regular health insurance might not apply. Some policies can also include emergency evacuation coverage, which pays for transportation to the nearest medical facility or back home in case of a serious medical emergency.
Lost or delayed baggage, which provides compensation for lost, stolen, or delayed luggage and personal items.
Travel delay, which can reimburse you for accommodation, meals, and transportation expenses incurred due to delays.
Accidental death or dismemberment, which provides benefits to your beneficiaries if you suffer a severe injury or die because of an accident during your trip.
Rental car coverage, which offers protection if you’re renting a car and it’s damaged or stolen.
Travel insurance policies can vary significantly in terms of coverage and cost, therefore it’s important to read each policy carefully with your insurance agent and choose one that meets your specific needs and travel plans.
Matt McDonough is PIA Northeast's writer, editor and content curator. Matt joined PIA Northeast in September 2023. Before that, he had been an editor for the online entertainment magazine Collider from 2021-23 as a copy editor for its lists section. Matt entered the world of journalism at his alma mater, SUNY New Paltz, writing and reporting for the college's student run newspaper, The New Paltz Oracle. He graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Creative Writing in 2020.
