COVID Rules & Travel Insurance

COVID Rules and Travel Insurance:

Back in the day, before COVID, the biggest job of a travel advisor was planning a wonderful trip and checking in with your clients when they got home to hear all about their vacation. Yes, there were hiccups like delayed or cancelled flights or bad weather, but for the mostpart, those things could be fixed and people could get on with their vacation.

COVID has caused the travel industry to set new rules and those rules are changing constantly, depending on how the virus is acting. As a travel advisor, I get notified when countries change the rules or when the CDC makes changes in their recommendations. And I am then able to inform my clients about these changes, so they are compliant and will not have their travel disrupted. I not only double check to be sure they are doing what they need to do before their trip, but I am in touch with them when they are on their vacation to be sure they remember to follow the rules so they can get back home safely.

One of the other things I do with my clients is discuss the need for travel insurance. Right now it is essential when you travel, especially on a cruise or abroad, to have adequate travel insurance with an independent travel insurance company for the following reasons:

1. You need this insurance if you need to cancel for covered reasons (each policy explains these reasons in depth) and you want to get your money back, instead of receiving a future travel credit from the resort or cruise line.

2. If you are able and your state permits, you should add a Cancel For Any Reason option to your plan. Typically this allows you to cancel within 48 hours of the scheduled departure of your trip and receive part of your money back. You will not receive 100% back, but you will also not lose 100% of your money.

3. Again, if your state allows, you should add a bed rest option to your policy. This gives you money for your additional stay in a country if you test positive for COVID and must quarantine in that country.

4. Medical expenses that aren’t covered by your medical insurance, which could include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation. This may not even be COVID related, but could be the result of an accident or medical incident.

5. Trip interruption, delay, loss of baggage and rental car coverage are other benefits of travel insurance.

Each insurance company has different options and each state has different insurance rules. Prices are typically based on the cost of the trip and the age of the travelers. As a travel advisor, I make sure you have the best coverage for your needs. And with all insurance, you pay for it and hope to never need it.

Now more than ever it is important to be working with a travel advisor who not only plans a wonderful vacation for you and your travel companions, but keeps you informed as to what is going on in the world and works with you to be sure you have a safe, happy and healthy experience.