Traveling can be fun and exciting, but what happens if something goes wrong? Travel insurance can help offset costs while in a foreign country.
Imagine that you are traveling to Rome with your family. It’s a beautiful day in Italy. The sun is shining as you walk around seeing the sites. You’ve seen the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain. You’re standing on the corner, looking at all the sculptures and architecture of the city streets when you see a sidewalk vendor selling food. It smells delicious and looks good too. You order some food, taking a seat on the tables nearby, eating your food.
After a few minutes, your children complain that they are going to be sick. They’re burning up, and look very ill. What do you do, being an American citizen in Italy, unsure of where a hospital is, or how you’ll pay for it? If you purchased travel insurance for your trip, you’re not as worried as you’d be without it.
Travel insurance allows you access to medical care in foreign countries around the world. In the event that you or a loved one become ill or injured during a trip, travel insurance will pay for your visit to the foreign medical centers. Even though you are not a citizen, you’ll be entitled to the same care that a local receives. You don’t have to worry about needing money wired from the United States, or having to pay with a credit card and being hit with high conversion rates or foreign transaction fees.
Most travel insurance is available through respected insurance companies and travel organizations for a small fee. That small added cost to vacation may be a lifesaver if the unfortunate and unexpected happens. Travel insurance will help with lost travel documents, lost luggage, medical bills, canceled or delayed flights, weather-related incidents, and legal assistance. No one wants to think about needing insurance to cover these expenses, but having it will save you peace of mind if any of these events occur.
When you’re planning your dream trip abroad with your family, you may hear the travel agent offer you travel insurance for a few extra dollars. You’ll think about how much you’re already spending on hotels, food, airfare, and spending money, and decide on the spot about the extra cost of insurance. That decision may end up costing you far more than you ever imagined.
Already, travel to Europe is expensive. The Euro is worth more than the US Dollar. Being a non-citizen, you’ll automatically pay a higher rate for legal and medical care. Costs are more expensive for clothes, toiletries, and other products Americans take for granted. If you don’t have enough money on hand to cover the expenses, you can use your credit cards, and get hit with expensive currency conversion and foreign transaction fees. You can have money wired to you, which may take days to arrive, and you’ll have to speak with people at banks or hotels in a foreign language you may not truly understand.
Don’t put yourself through that cost and difficulty. The next time you plan a trip, opt for travel insurance. Don’t worry about the money and costs if your children become ill. Instead, focus on the history, the sites, and the culture that is Rome. Enjoy the trip, and leave the worrying behind thanks to your travel insurance policy. You’ll be glad you did.