Maybe you don't think it will "ever happen to you"... But travel insurance can literally be a lifesaver when something happens during your trip - or perhaps before you even leave home. 

Travel Insurance: What It Can Cover and Why It Matters

Depending on the type of travel insurance you choose, you may be eligible for reimbursement if you need to cancel your trip because of a medical emergency — whether it involves you, your traveling companion, a family member, or even a beloved pet.

Coverage can also extend to other unexpected situations, such as work-related conflicts, natural disasters, or global unrest.

In many cases, you can receive compensation for non-refundable expenses like airfare, hotel stays, cruises, tours, and pre-paid excursions, helping protect your investment when life takes an unexpected turn.

Lose your passport?

Trip on a cobblestone in a quaint medieval castle and twist your ankle? 

Miss a connecting flight due to a mechanical problem or weather?

Trip interruption coverage can help with unexpected costs related to missed or delayed flights, and often includes assistance for lost or delayed baggage. Many policies also provide support services such as passport replacement and 24/7 travel assistance.

One of the most important aspects of travel insurance is emergency medical coverage. If you become ill or injured while traveling, your policy may cover hospital stays, doctor visits, and even emergency dental care.

In more serious situations, emergency medical evacuation coverage can arrange and pay for transportation to the nearest suitable medical facility - or even back home - potentially saving you tens of thousands of dollars. Many domestic insurance policies do not cover injury or illness while outside of the United States - and those affiliated with a credit card may not cover your all expenses or only provide secondary coverage. 

Ultimately, purchasing travel insurance is a personal decision. It depends on your financial ability to absorb unexpected losses and your comfort level with taking the risk that “nothing will go wrong.”