Do You Really Need Travel Insurance?

Travel America has long been one of the most sought after travel destination among travelers, yet very few people are aware of the destinations within the United States. The country is divided into fifty states which cover a vast stretch of North America, from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico. Major midwestern cities are New York City, a global financial and cultural hub, and central Washington, DC, and a hub for political and entertainment events. Midwestern metropolises like Chicago are known for their scenic natural environments and cultural offerings. Los Angeles is famous for its Hollywood, a cultural and financial center.

While there are many popular destinations across America, the best way to experience all that this area has to offer is through a good travel agent. These individuals are fully knowledgeable about all that is offered by the area and will ensure that you have the most fun, while spending the least amount of money. A good travel agent can make trips to all the sites in this area easier to plan, making them a great choice for the entire family. They can also provide secondary coverage, such as pet medical expenses or other benefits, along with the basic hotel accommodations.

One of the most common types of travel insurance is travel basic or group insurance. This is usually provided through major companies like Aetna or US Airways, but can also be purchased directly from travel agents. Travel basic covers the basic areas that are expected during any trip, regardless of whether it is a business or pleasure trip. Passengers sharing a same suite, located in the same hotel, on a plane, or bus are all eligible for travel basic coverage. The shared benefits portion of this type of policy will cover each passenger for things like lost luggage, delayed departure, and similar things.

Another type of travel insurance is trip cancellation. If a traveler’s planned trip is canceled for any reason, like a medical emergency or a sudden illness, the travel company is not required to pay any of the passenger’s fees. Trip cancellation policies differ depending on the company, but most offer a secondary coverage that can be used in place of primary insurance, in case of a cancellation. The secondary coverage, in most cases, is offered at a reduced rate, but is still a wise choice if it means the difference between receiving no claim and having a refund.

Some travelers prefer to purchase travel insurance that offers both types of protection. American Express Travel Services offers secondary coverage that can be added to any basic policy. Most of the time, these are designed to meet specific needs, but some policies cover everything from baggage and medical expenses to emergencies that occur within 100 miles of the air port or airport of the departure point. A prime example of this type of secondary coverage is the American Express emergency plan, which offers coverage for an extended period of time after you depart the country. Like the primary plan, this is only available with select travel insurance providers.

Travelers can choose to get either trip cancellation and emergency plans as part of a basic travel plan, or they can choose to get a variety of add-on options. Either option is generally preferable for people who travel frequently between the United States and other countries, but there are those who only make one or two trips within the country. In this case, the cheapest and best course of action is to buy travel insurance that provides coverage for the primary trip and a secondary plan that can be implemented in case of emergencies. This is especially important for frequent travelers, since it would be difficult to arrange a refund in the event that a trip has to be cancelled.