If you’re anything like me, you probably do a hair flip and eye roll at the thought of needing travel insurance. But, if you really are anything like me…you probably really do need it.
I’m not clumsy or aloof, I just tend to enjoy doing really cool things that are sometimes slightly dangerous, especially since I do them alone. Swimming in the Amazon River, bungee jumping in New Zealand, chasing waterfalls in just about every country I go to; the list goes on and I have no intention of calming down anytime soon.
That’s why I finally ended up getting travel insurance from Allianz (namely, the ‘Professional Travel Program’ insert sunglass emoji). I had no idea how many of my little incidents it could have covered in the past, but am really glad to know I’ll be covered in the future.
You may not think you need travel insurance, but if you answer ‘Yes’ to any of these questions, you definitely do!
Jump To:
1. Would you cry if you had to get stitches with a questionable needle abroad?
Just saying that that might be the case if you don’t have travel insurance and can’t pay out of pocket for medical costs at a good hospital abroad. If you answered “maybe”, or even “no, I’m a badass, I don’t cry”, let me rephrase the question to; “Would you cry if you got gangrene, Hepatitis, tuberculosis, etc. from said questionable needle needed to stitch up your motorbike accident wound because you couldn’t pay for high medical costs at a better hospital?”
Travel insurance typically covers around $10k in emergency medical bills, so you don’t have to worry about going into debt so that you won’t die.
2. Would it be a buzzkill if you lost your luggage?
Even if you’re a trooper like me, and would probably have no problem just going and buying new clothes abroad, wouldn’t it be nice to at least be reimbursed for the costs? Travel insurance will cover your lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, and can even assist with delayed luggage costs as well!
Oh, and a quick travel tip: NEVER pack anything valuable, meaningful, or that you’d cry if you lost in your checked luggage! Even airline attendants tell you not to, so just don’t do it!!! I’ve had a mini-drone, and also a pin from my grandpa’s WWII ex-prisoner of war hat stolen from my checked bag at an airport!
3. Do you partake in awesome adventurous activities?
You better have answered ‘Yes’ to this. I’m sure you’re a pro and all, but in the event that a cliff cracks or your bungee chord snaps, wouldn’t it be reassuring to know you’d be covered and taken care of?
4. Do you want to not pay extra for insurance when you rent a car?
Rental car insurance can add hundreds of dollars onto your bill, but not if you have a travel insurance plan that covers it! Allianz has plan options that include rental car collision and theft coverage, and you can even choose a certain time frame to have it!
5. Do your parents nag you about traveling being dangerous?
Six words. “Don’t worry, I have travel insurance. It’s seriously the easiest way to shut your parents up about traveling being dangerous!
6. Do you want to appear responsible to your friends and family?
Not going to lie, I’ve casually mentioned that I have travel insurance to my friends and family more times than necessary, solely because I feel like it makes me sound responsible and professional.
7.Would you be mad if your flight got cancelled and you had to spend $200 on a hotel?
Travel insurance covers any costs you incur if your flight is cancelled up to a certain amount! That means you don’t have to fret when the only hotel nearby is expensive AF, and you can actually enjoy the comfy bed, robe, and slippers! Travel insurance can also cover fees associated with trip interruption and delays if you qualify for one of the terms!
8. Do you want to go to Russia, Abu Dhabi, or Thailand?
Believe it or not, there are a few countries that actually require you to have travel insurance in order to go there! Russia and Abu Dhabi are two of them, and word is that Thailand will soon enforce the requirement too. My guess is that the country faces a lot of charges on foreign medical bills, which isn’t very fair to the locals!
Having your own travel insurance plan before you go (if not you may be required to purchase one upon arrival) ensures that you know what you’re covered for, how to access it, and how much you’re paying!
9. Would you volunteer in Africa?
Many international volunteer programs require you to have travel insurance to participate! When I volunteered in South Africa it was mandatory to have the insurance, and I’m glad I did considering I was working in a dangerous area, not to mention surfing in Great White shark infested waters!
The great thing about Allianz is that you can choose to only pay for coverage during the dates you’re traveling instead of being stuck with an annual plan that goes unused….well, or you can just keep traveling!
10. Is Antarctica on Your Bucket List?
It’s definitely on mine! But since Antarctica is one hell of an adventure, most of the cruises and excursions require mandatory travel insurance. I’d gladly get it too, can you imagine seeing the bill from being airlifted out of Antarctica because you got frostbite on your hand while trying to take a selfie with a penguin?!
Disclaimer: This post is done in collaboration with Allianz Global Assistance, but all opinions, experiences, and travel fails are my own. Seriously though, you can’t fake that.
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