Why You Needs a Family Travel Insurance
While most vacations go as planned, something can always go wrong, whether it’s a child’s illness, an accident or a parent’s work-related emergency. It is important to ask yourself ‘what if,’ to consider the alternatives, and to protect your family and your wallet against any number of possible mishaps that can occur,” says Ed Walker, US Travel Insurance Association president. He adds that many companies offer family travel insurance that includes children at no additional cost. Before purchasing a plan, you should check with your existing health insurance carrier, travel booking site and credit card company to see what travel benefits are included in your current plan, if any. Then you’ll know where the gaps in your coverage lie.
Family travel insurance also covers medical emergencies away from home. Most health insurance policies only cover individuals within their network (or the continental United States), so families traveling abroad will be responsible for out-of-pocket medical expenses. However, with a travel insurance health policy, you’re covered up to $1 million in emergency medical coverage. Prescriptions, doctor visits, dental work, ambulatory transport, hospital stays and any other urgent medical care will be paid for by the insurance company.
Over the years, the number of bags lost, damaged or stolen has increased significantly. No family travel insurance would be complete without giving you peace of mind regarding your personal belongings. When you buy travel insurance, you get between $500 and $2,000 coverage for the lost items. Many policies also have clauses for delayed luggage, which may leave you stranded without clothing, toothbrushes, contact solution, a hairbrush, deodorant and other essentials. You will be reimbursed by your travel insurance company for the replacement items while you wait.
Even with all these great benefits, some travelers may still be wondering if they should buy family travel insurance or not. As a general rule, if you are not prepared to lose the full amount of your deposit, then you should invest in a trip insurance policy. It also depends upon how much peace of mind is worth to you. Particularly when children are involved, most parents want the most comprehensive coverage they can get. Since plans are so flexible, you will likely find something for under $100 that meets your family’s basic needs.