There is no denying it: summer is here.
Temperatures are warmer. The days are longer. If you’re like most people, these things combine to give you the irresistible urge to get out there and see the world.
For many people, this marks the first year they have felt comfortable travelling. That is because for two years the Coronavirus pandemic made travelling difficult, dangerous, or downright forbidden depending on your destination.
If you’ve been waiting eagerly for your summertime plans, there are a few things you might want to keep in mind in order to make your trip memorable – for the right reasons. The last thing you want documented in the family album is the vacation that was over before it even really began.
Even if you’re vaccinated and ready to mingle, unfortunately there are still things that can go wrong on your trip.
If you’re travelling with family or friends, you’ll want to do your best to ensure that not only you, but also your loved ones, are able to hit the road with complete peace of mind.
One way that you can do this is through the use of travel insurance. This is a specific kind of insurance that offers to cover the financial damages you could incur when you take a trip. Many credit cards offer this as an inventive for you to choose their card.
But is it really worth it? In this article, we’re going to discuss the different ways that travel insurance may benefit you and your brood in the long run. Then you can make an informed decision about whether or not it is the right choice for you.
Illness or Injury
Let’s get the elephant out of the room right away.
The absolute worst thing that can go wrong on any trip is you or a person in your party needing medical attention.
You may not expect this to happen to you, but it easily could. An appendix could burst at any time. A trip where you plan to hike, ski, or base jump could result in an injury. Did you know that thousands of people every year are injured while hiking the Swiss Alps? Click here for more information.
If you’re travelling within Norway, this may not be much of an issue. Sure, you would have to see a different doctor than you’re used to, but not much would change.
It becomes more of a problem the further you travel away from home. If you’re visiting one of the countries in the European Economic Area, you will still have high-quality medical care available to you.
That means that anywhere you travel in Iceland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Lithuania, Spain, Sweden, Malta, Estonia, the Czech Republic, or Latvia, you can rest easy knowing that you will be well taken care of.
But should the worst happen and you do fall ill, there may be economic disadvantages. You may have to pay your medical costs up front and then request reimbursement once you arrive home. That is, if you are visiting without the benefit of travel insurance.
Take care if you decide to visit the United States. There is no guarantee of care there, and you could be on the hook for lots of money if you needed to visit a hospital or in any way receive emergency treatment.
Flight Related Issues
If you’ve ever flown before, you know that there are a few common things that can go wrong and derail your trip.
One of these is lost luggage. Whenever you check a bag to fly in the belly of the plane, you’re taking a risk that it may become lost in transit. Imagine if you’re travelling with some of your jewelry to attend a beloved niece’s wedding to her long-term boyfriend, Klaus.
Sure, you want to look your best. And you want to show up and give your support. After all, not everyone is happy that your niece and Klaus are getting married only after giving birth to their first child, Steven.
The loss of your luggage could mean that you show up in your soiled travelling clothes in order to pay tribute to their union. That would send entirely the wrong message, now, wouldn’t it?
If you have travel insurance, your lost luggage won’t be such a setback. You can replace your clothing, your jewelry, and even any electronics you may have packed. That means your laptop, camera, and tablet are all covered under your plan.
Another issue that arises often when travelling by air is flight cancellation. Whether you are unable to make your flight and need to rebook, your flight gets cancelled due to inclement weather conditions, or you suffer a loss in the family and need to change your plans, you can get some or all of your money back.
Bring the Family Along!
One thing you may not be aware of is that many cards that offer travel insurance also extend the same protections to other members of your family. This means that your spouse is covered in the same way that you are. So are your children, depending on their ages.
Some cards offer protection up until the age of twenty-one, but others continue coverage even beyond that age.
If you’re more of a travelling with the gals type of person, never fear! There is an option for you. Some policies will extend coverage to up to three of your companions, regardless of age or relation. That means that ladies’ trip into wine country can be just as safe and secure as one to Grandma’s house.
You needn’t let your fears limit your plans this summer.
One thing to keep in mind is that your policy may require that you pay for a majority of your trip on the credit card in question. In that case, you’ll want to be sure to keep track of your spending.
Make sure that you are putting the appropriate amount onto your card. Many require that you pay for at least half of your expenses that way. Keep records, either online or with paper receipts, so that you can prove your purchases later, if need be.
Just like in everyday life, there are a great many things that can go wrong when you decide to go on vacation. That doesn’t mean that you are stuck at home. If the last two years have taught us anything, it is that we need to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to us because we may not get a second chance.
Take your time when planning your trip. If you already have a credit card, check to see what, if any, insurance it offers you when it comes to taking a vacation. You may find that you already have everything you need.
Keep in mind that reiseforsikring can offer you peace of mind when it comes time to leave home. If your current card doesn’t offer you the benefits you are seeking, it may be worth your while to take out another one.
Make sure to compare between different companies to see which one is the best fit for you. That way, if anything goes wrong, your vacation won’t be completely ruined.