When To Get Travel Insurance

Travel is never truly inexpensive, unless you camp or stay in hostels. Most of us are more interested in sleeping in hotels or going on cruises. Nobody likes to be screwed out of their hard-earned money by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control and travel insurance can prevent that from happening. 

Now, you may have been traveling for years without taking this precaution, or you may have been in a situation where you wished you had taken out insurance to protect you. Fortunately, travel insurance can be affordable and easy to add on to your trip, but when do you really need it?

Look into the right type of insurance

There are many different types of travel insurance, including illness, injury, lost luggage, theft and more. You can also get basic coverage that includes many of these things, but you will want to get the one that suits the trip you are going on. If you are going to hike Machu Picchu, you will need a different insurance than if you are going on a European cruise.

You bought a package deal

When you purchase a vacation package, it is all tracked under one company name. You can usually get internal travel insurance with them, or you can purchase you own, in case the company goes out of business or their insurance doesn’t cover last-minute tragedies like a death in the family.

The vacation is a once-in-a-lifetime trip 

Sometimes you go on trips that cost a lot more than you normally pay for a vacation. There is a big difference in price between going to Napa for the weekend and going on a week-long Kenyan safari. If you have to cancel or rebook your trip to Napa, it probably won’t break you in the long run, but if something unexpected happens and you can’t go on your safari – weather, natural disasters and health issues are almost never something you can predict – you will be very sorry to be out thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars that you can’t recoup without insurance.

Unexpected things happen

With countries and airlines dropping health restrictions, a war that may move beyond the current borders, fire season starting, and volcanoes erupting, things in the world are always in flux. You might get Covid and can't go. The country you're traveling to may suddenly prohibit people from certain countries entry. Your country may not allow flights to certain countries. 

When we booked a flight to France for last September, including a package to go to Disneyland Paris, I knew that insurance was probably important. Our credit card would take care of our flight, but I totally bought insurance for our portion going to Disney, because there were many things that needed to happen, including getting a Health Pass once we arrived in France (which changed the month before we left), in order to do almost anything touristy. Up until we left, I wasn't sure if I would need to do anything special in order to actually travel. 

You travel often

Travel insurance will generally cost 5-8% of your total trip, but if you do more than just take a yearly vacation, then you might benefit more from buying yearly travel insurance plans instead of paying for each trip separately.

When you do insure your trips, make sure you know exactly what each policy covers. When something happens and you have to make a claim, take notes on everything that happened and who you talked to. If a theft has occurred, report it immediately and make sure you are tenacious if the insurance company seems to drag their feet on paying out. Obviously, they make less money if they have to pay out on a claim, but if you know what your rights are, you shouldn’t have a problem getting what’s owed to you.

Remember, if you make any changes to your travel plans, alert your insurance company as soon as possible, so you can be sure you are still covered for everything you need.

Have you ever wished you had travel insurance on a trip?

Disability and Travel

July is Disability Pride Month and that had me thinking about places I've been that are just not conducive to any sort of physical disability. The last time we were in London, I realized that over half of the Tube stations didn't have elevators or escalators or any way for someone who is elderly or disabled to make use of that station.

photo credit

In America, 1 in 4 people have some sort of disability. 11% of people have a physical disability and just about that same number have either a hearing or vision impairment that affects their life. I know a lot of people who are limited by unseen disabilities, like chronic pain,  where navigating a million stairs or endless station tunnels would be nearly impossible quite quickly after arrival. If there were more accessible options, this would alleviate extra strain for them and others.

I know that most other countries have better heathcare and resources than in the US, but that is only for those living there. Disabled tourists don't have those same resources, so they just have no easy way to get around town. Buses are a bit more user-friendly for everyone, but they aren't as convenient for getting places quickly like the Metro or subway, and then there's the issue of getting to your destination in the first place. Disabled people aren't always treated with respect or kindness by the airlines. So, if travel is for everybody and a lot of cities rely on tourism dollars to thrive, why don't we make it easier for everyone to visit? It's just a thing to think about, and which may get a bit more attention now after we saw accessibility change so rapidly during Covid, but we are, unfortunately, seeing those same things being abandoned and going back to the way things were pre-Covid.

We shouldn't expect people who have a disability that prevents them from using mass transit and public buildings to have to spend more (money and time) to be able to travel like the rest of us. Next time you travel, look around and see if you could navigate your surroundings if you had more limited mobility or were wheelchair-bound. 

Do you or someone you travel with have a disability? If so, where has been the most disabled-friendly destination you've been to?

Travel Items To Grab During Prime Day(s)

Once a year, Amazon Prime Day comes around, though it now stretches over two days. This year Prime day is July 11-12, which is great if you're planning a vacation soon and you need some stuff for it. I've been checking out what useful travel goodies are included and I made a list for inspiration:

Skullcandy Wireless Earbuds

I'm never going to be the person who pays hundreds of dollars for earbuds, especially when I'm so hard on the ones I already own or might lose on a trip. Buy these for a fraction of the price of others, with great sound quality and fun colors. $24.99 (50% off!)

Amazon Fire 10" Tablet

If you don't want to lug around your laptop and your phone is too tiny for things that are bigger than Wordle and email, this Fire tablet is a winner. Look at directions, book reservations, carry all your books, and play games and movies. Plus it's lightweight and fits really easily into your carry-on or personal item. $89.99 ($100 off!)

Amazon Basics Wheeled Underseater

Need a new carry-on or weekend warrior bag? This little wheelie bag has enough room for the basics, plus some snacks, and fits under the airplane seat, so all your belongings are with you every step of your trip. It also has big sturdy handles to carry down the plane aisle, which I'm always a huge fan of. $69.22 for Navy color (almost 50% off)

Samsonite Winfield 3DLX Hardside Carry-On

Going further or longer or need to pack for several people? All my larger carry-on bags are hardside now, because you can't overpack it to where it won't fit in the overhead, it's much more durable, and you're much less likely to have a a disastrous spillage issue or rain incident. Samsonite makes awesome luggage and I love the dividers in this one. $122 ($39% off!) -- If you're on a tight budget, but still want a great new piece of luggage, check out the Wrangler Hardside Spinner at $39 (25% off)

Amazon Basics 4-Piece Slim Packing Cubes

I love a good packing cube and I love ones that come in smaller, but still useful sizes, so I can pack small in a smaller bag, like a weekender. These slim cubes are ones I would use solely for my own travels or for underwear or children's clothes on travels with others, but they're a definite game-changer. $17.55 (35% off)

Gonex Compression Packing Cubes Set

If you travel with more than you or want to take a little more, I swear by compression packing cubes. They fit so much better into your bag, because you pack them like usual, then double zip them, so they take up half the space. You get three different sizes, so you can easily keep track of everything in your bag. $26 (21% off)

Amazon Essentials Women's Short-Sleeve Maxi Dress

It's always nice to have a basic black dress for dressing up or down on vacation. Lounge around your vacation rental, wear it as a cover-up to the pool, or add some fun jewelry and go out to dinner. $20.18 (25% off) -- If maxi is not the length for you, check out the AE Swing Dress.

Amazon Essentials Full-Zip Polar Fleece

Add a lightweight layer for warmth that also looks great whatever your activity. Sometimes the weather turns, the evenings get chilly, or the plane is like a freezer. Be ready for it with this easy, packable outwear piece. $22.43 (25% off)

Airplane Phone Holder Mount

Want to watch a video on your phone, but don't want to break your neck looking down at it? Use this mount that works with the seatback tray, so you can watch it at eye level instead. $10.96 (39% off)

FYY Cable & Electronics Organizer

Ever have issues with your cables and plugs either getting lost somewhere in your bag, or tangled together, or somehow jumbled up with other things in your bag? No more! I never travel without a bag that fits all my electronics charges, cables, and bits and bobs. It, literally, makes you feel like you've got your ish together, like an adult traveler. $9.85 (38% off)

Prana Short-Sleeve V-Neck Tee

I kind of live in a good tee and having a couple for vacation are essential to me, because they can be worn alone or easily layered, so they work in all weather. I find a v-neck is more flattering for me, and Prana is a wonderful brand that makes pieces that are great looking, high quality, and moisture-wicking. It also comes in SO. MANY. COLORS. though only the black is on super sale. $15.57 (65% off!)

Loveledi Portable Power Bank (2 pack)

Never leave home without a power bank to keep you phone or other small electronics charged when in transit. This comes with two, in different colors, that both can change two things at once, so everyone will have power all day long. $19.99 (44% off)

HAVLULAND Turkish Beach Towels (2 pack)

Heading to the beach, or camping, or off to college? Turkish towels are the best for travel, because they are lightweight, super absorbent, easily packable, and so versatile. Use them as a regular towel, a sarong, a picnic blanket, a tablecloth, a blanket. This deal comes with two! $20 (25% off)

1TB USB Flash Drive

Keep all those amazing vacay photos in one place and save space on your phone with this huge flash drive. Add everyone's pics at the end of each day and start fresh the next day. Regular price $45.99

iClever Bluetooth Folding Keyboard

Do you want to do a bit of work or make it easier to reply to emails on your phone or iPad? Get a folding keyboard that fits right in your day bag and carry-on. It has a fingerpad, so you can mouse your way around the tiny screen, which I really love. It comes with a lightweight phone stand that you can use for a tablet as well. Regular price $58.99

I hope these help you get a good start on your next trip(s), whether it's a road trip, a weekend at the beach, Disney with the fam, or a romantic European getaway. Let us know in the comments where you're going next!

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