Why You Absolutely Need Travel Insurance

TLDR–You need travel insurance to cover those unexpected hiccups—like canceled flights, lost luggage, or a sudden illness—so you don’t end up with a hefty bill or a ruined trip. (And if you're traveling with SurfYogaBeer, it's a requirement!) Before diving into why you need travel insurance, here are three real-life hero stories to set the tone.

1. When Dan’s Christmas Day flight to Nicaragua was canceled just two hours before takeoff due to a winter storm, he was grateful he had purchased travel insurance, sparing him the financial headache of paying for an entirely new flight out-of-pocket. 

2. When Jacqueline arrived in Costa Rica, but her luggage didn’t, her travel insurance reimbursed her for the new apparel and toiletries she had to buy. 

3. When Jordan got hit with a pricey bill from a hospital visit in Portugal, she was thankful for the travel insurance she bought.

When that trip you’ve been dreaming about for months quickly approaches, the last thing you want to do is play the odds against unexpected mishaps, so let’s dive into why you absolutely need travel insurance for your next getaway.

What is travel insurance?

Most domestic health insurance plans won't cover you once you leave the country. Travel insurance acts as a ‘just in case’ safety net, protecting travelers from unexpected expenses during travel disruptions and providing 24/7 support in emergencies. 

What does travel insurance typically cover?

Travel insurance typically costs between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost, a relatively low investment for the peace of mind it offers. While coverage varies by provider and plan, here are some common areas it covers:

• Lost or delayed luggage
• Missed connections & travel delays
• Medical emergencies
• Emergency evacuations
• Accidental death & dismemberment
• Trip Cancellation

Nicaragua 2022

What does travel insurance not cover?

Travel insurance offers protection for many potential scenarios, but it doesn’t cover everything. Common exclusions include injuries related to alcohol or drug use, risky activities (unless specifically covered), and personal negligence (like missing a flight). 

It also typically doesn’t cover cancellations due to a change of mind, elective medical care, or theft of unattended items. Always review your policy carefully to understand what’s excluded.

Other reasons to buy travel insurance

• If your standard health insurance plans don't cover the locations you’re traveling to.
• You have a pre-existing health condition.
• Your trip includes active experiences.
• You’re visiting a remote destination.
• You’ve made expensive, non-refundable purchases.
• Air travel that includes multiple connections or destinations.

When should you buy travel insurance?

For the best protection, buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. Some policies cover cancellations or disruptions that happen even before departure. Waiting too long may result in missing out on coverage for potential issues before you leave, and buying applicable insurance after an incident is usually not an option.

How to choose travel insurance?

Selecting the right coverage depends on a few factors, so consider this when choosing a plan:

• The length and cost of your trip.
• The activities you’ll be participating in.
• Any pre-existing health conditions.
• Whether your destination is covered by your regular health insurance.

Check out these travel insurance sites to choose the best plan for you:

Cover Genius (Available for US customers) and available for purchase only upon checkout for a SurfYogaBeer trip.

Worldnomads

True Traveller

Travelex Insurance

Or, use comparison sites like Travelinsurance.com or SquareMouth to sift out the best coverage from dozens of travel insurance providers.

Travel insurance isn’t about being scared of what could happen—it’s about being smart enough to keep your trip stress-free if life throws you one of those unexpected curveballs. Before heading off on your next adventure, invest in the peace of mind that comes with travel insurance. In case of emergency, future you will thank you for it!

Nicaragua 2024

SurfYogaBeer is an active and social travel company focused on global, local, and private adventures, offering group trips for people of all ages and fitness levels. We're all looking for adventure. Travel with us–change your life.