Travel

4 reasons to consider travel insurance

By AAA staff

08-17-2018

Vacation is a time to relax, but travel may come with plenty to worry about. 

Most people can share at least 1 story about things going awry while traveling. Canceled trips, delayed flights, lost luggage, medical emergencies, and other problems can be difficult to navigate, and often come with expensive solutions.

One way to put your mind at ease is to purchase travel insurance, and a recent AAA Travel survey found that Americans are increasingly doing just that. In 2017, 13% more members opted to purchase travel insurance for their trip than in 2016, and nearly 4 in 10 Americans surveyed say they're likely to purchase travel insurance for future trips overseas. We look at why they're increasingly considering travel insurance and the benefits of buying coverage.1

Survey respondents' top reasons for considering travel insurance

High cost of their trip

70% of respondents

Family health concerns

69% of respondents

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Trip booked far in advance

61% of respondents

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Recommendation from others

57% of respondents

The benefits of travel insurance

An airliner leaves a contrail in the sky

Trip cancellation coverage

Booking a trip far in advance has its perks, usually in the form of lower costs for airfare and lodging. The flip side is there's more time for speed bumps to come up, and worrying about that can get in the way of looking forward to traveling. If you have to cancel a trip for a covered reason, travel insurance may help recoup your non-refundable costs.1

A woman looks at an airport flight information board

Flight delay & cancellation coverage

Delays are a fact of life when traveling, especially during busy vacation periods like summer and the winter holidays, while outright cancellations are rare but do happen. Airlines may not cover all the costs associated with a delayed or cancelled flight, so travel insurance may help reimburse expenses.

A family waits for their luggage at the baggage claim

Lost baggage coverage

While airlines eventually reunite most lost or delayed bags with their owners, delayed baggage can force travelers to buy crucial replacement items. In 2017, airlines mishandled 7 pieces of luggage for every 1,000 passengers—a big improvement from 10 years earlier, but still adding up to millions of bags. In addition, a small number of bags go missing for longer periods of time. Travel insurance may cover the cost of replacing items in the interim.

A cross sign on a hospital

Emergency medical benefits

Many health insurance policies don’t cover international travel, and most hospitals outside the United States require cash payments before providing treatment. Travel insurance may help cover medical expenses—whether you’re traveling internationally or staying stateside. 

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Insure your adventure

Travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance can give you greater peace of mind so you can spend less time worrying and more time relaxing on your vacation.2  Terms and conditions apply.3

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1Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Be sure to fully understand the terms, conditions, and exclusions of a travel insurance plan before purchasing.

2Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A-” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at 800- 284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or customerservice@allianzassistance.com.

3Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply to all plans. Coverage may vary by plan and state. See your plan for details. Plans generally do not cover losses related to COVID-19, including without limitation due to known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, government prohibitions, warnings, or travel advisories or fear of travel. For more information, contact Allianz Global Assistance at 800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or customerservice@allianzassistance.com. Underwritten by BCS Insurance Company or Jefferson Insurance Company. Allianz Global Assistance is the licensed producer and administrator. Automobile Club of Southern California or affiliates act as producer in HI and KS. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. CA customers can reach the CA Dept of Insurance through its toll-free Consumer Hotline: 1-800-927-4357 (HELP).

Information taken from "More Americans Protecting Their Vacation Investments with Travel Insurance," American Automobile Association, July 31, 2018.

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