To celebrate my birthday, our family of ten had planned a trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, on the eve of our departure, we had to cancel this long-anticipated travel plan. My 11-month-old granddaughter got infected with a virus, with a high fever of 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Just a few months ago, when Hurricane Irene was approaching the coast of North Carolina, we had to evacuate urgently from Duck on the fourth day of our week-long vacation. One spring, I spent 11 days hospitalized in Amsterdam, and my insurance covered $28,000 of hospital admission costs and nearly $50,000 for medical evacuation.
Travel insurance may sound like an unnecessary extra cost, but trust me, life is full of surprises. Having insurance can prevent many unnecessary worries, save costs, and even save lives. Travel insurance has played a significant role in my past experiences, for which I am grateful. What follows is not to promote any specific insurance but to share insights from personal experiences.
With various plans and policies among insurance companies, I used Squaremouth.com, an online platform that easily compares over 100 policies from about 20 major insurance companies. This not only saved me time but also spared me from the confusion of trying to decipher lengthy terms and conditions of insurance companies.
Two weeks before our planned trip to Turks and Caicos Islands, my daughter underwent emergency anterior cruciate ligament surgery. The trip cancellation clause and doctor’s note in her policy covered her accommodation expenses. This meant that her family couldn’t join, reducing our travel party to six. When our granddaughter fell ill and only my husband and I could travel, we had no choice but to abandon and cancel the itinerary. My son’s policy covered our accommodation expenses.
Travel insurance usually compensates travelers who have to cancel trips due to sudden illnesses, hospitalization, or death of immediate family members (including parents, children, siblings, spouses, grandparents, in-laws, step-relatives). As cousins are not on the list for claims, when a close cousin of mine fell seriously ill, I purchased “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) insurance. CFAR travel insurance can reimburse up to 75% of the trip cost, possibly increasing the premium by 40%, but it can protect you from unforeseen impacts from deposit payment to departure – such as canceled honeymoons or the inability to travel due to insufficient accumulated leave in a new job.
Many regular insurance contracts mainly focus on major issues like health and hurricanes. During Hurricane Irene, when local roads in Duck were impassable due to the storm, we also received compensation for our delay losses. But if you are just stuck in a rental apartment watching heavy rain for three consecutive days without purchasing CFAR, the insurance will not refund your money.
Timing is also crucial. Insurance companies usually cover pre-existing conditions within 10 to 21 days after booking a trip (specific policies and terms may vary). Buying insurance early does not incur additional costs and also gives me peace of mind.
I also purchased insurance for my journey to Amsterdam, but to save a few hundred dollars, I only bought secondary medical insurance, as the plane tickets and hotel costs during peak tulip season were already high. Unexpectedly, I developed mitral valve prolapse and severe pneumonia. Due to top-notch care in the local intensive care unit, I managed to survive.
Upon discharge after 11 days, the hospital handed me a $28,000 bill that I had to pay. I hoped my primary insurance in the US would cover part of the cost. Fortunately, the hospital allowed me to pay with a credit card. Several months later, my US insurance reimbursed $21,000, and the travel insurance covered $7,000.
Returning to Washington cost nearly $50,000. In Amsterdam, I didn’t undergo surgery; the doctor only stabilized me enough to travel on a non-stop flight with a nurse’s assistance. It was the peak tourist season in Amsterdam, and flights were almost fully booked. The insurance company booked one-way non-stop seats for me and the nurse, each costing $11,000. The insurance also covered part of my husband’s return flight costs, reaching almost the $50,000 limit of my medical evacuation insurance.
Medical transport costs are usually higher and depend on the flight distance and care required. Some credit card companies offer emergency medical consultations and coordinate transport services, but most do not cover related expenses.
I am grateful for my health and that I still am a passionate traveler (now wiser).
I used the Squaremouth travel insurance platform. Additionally, media outlets like U.S. News & World Report and Money.com publish articles comparing travel policies from different insurance companies.