How Travel Insurance Saved My Trip

When I broke my foot, I saw stars and cried out in excruciating pain. I desperately started thinking of all the things on my schedule because I knew this was a serious injury and would impact my life for many weeks to come. After I caught my breath and could think logically, I mentally reviewed upcoming travel plans. Could I get on a plane, drive a rental car, participate in scheduled activities? Not.

Three weeks of total non-weight bearing prescribed by the podiatrist meant a wheelchair. Then came months of recovery. Despite this, I was still scheduled to attend trips and conferences across the Eastern US.

Imagine my dismay and disappointment upon receiving the doctor's orders to avoid travel. You can't plan a disaster like this.

Did I panic? No. After more than 50 years of traveling, I understand the value of travel insurance. While the injury was bad, knowing my scheduled travel and activities were insured gave me peace of mind.

Why travel insurance is important

I learned early on that travel insurance is an essential expense for every trip. Unexpected events happen beyond your control, whether you’re traveling solo or with family and friends.

“No one likes talking about insurance,” says Randy Osborne, Travel Product Manager at AAA. “But when a situation happens, having the insurance you need is vital and can really help remove stress and make the overall challenging situation a little better."

Travel insurance is more than a policy on paper; it’s peace of mind.

Osborne recommends budgeting for travel insurance as part of your overall trip costs, especially if you have any preexisting medical conditions. Many US-based health insurance policies don’t cover international travel, making insurance even more critical.

Already made your travel plans? It's still possible to buy travel insurance. Nevertheless, purchasing insurance within the first 14 days of making any trip-related deposit—whether for a flight, hotel, or guided vacation—will offer you policies with better protection. So, the earlier you buy, the better.

Choosing the right travel insurance for your trip

Purchasing travel insurance before you need it is a smart and proactive decision. By working with a trusted provider such as Allianz Travel Insurance, you can depend on the coverage you pay for. Over the years, I have always purchased Allianz Travel Insurance because the company has always came through with the coverage I needed. I always felt secure knowing if something happened, Allianz would deliver on its insurance promise.

For example, when my father-in-law was terminally ill many years ago and we couldn’t go on our scheduled trip to the Copper Canyon in Mexico to be with him, Allianz covered our non-reimbursed expenses. That was my first experience with travel insurance reimbursement, and it made me a loyal Allianz customer ever since.

When I assess and select travel insurance policies, the most important options I look for are coverage for unexpected medical emergencies and trip cancellations and interruptions. These are the challenges I’ve experienced most frequently in my travels.

When reviewing policy options, make sure to ask questions to fully understand coverage for the following:

• Unexpected medical emergencies
• Trip cancellations and interruptions
• Lost or stolen luggage
• Travel delays
• Emergency assistance services
• Coverage for high-risk activities
• Legal protection
• Preexisting medical conditions
• Car rental insurance coverage
• Coverage for prepaid tickets to special events in destination
• Natural disasters and political unrest

Understanding your travel insurance policy ahead of your trip is key—especially considering that in the event of an emergency, staying calm and making the right decisions can be difficult. Keep an electronic copy of your policy on your phone so that it's easily accessible while traveling.

Filing a claim

If something goes wrong before or during your trip, rest easy: The online claims process is straightforward. There are clear instructions on the Allianz website, and if you have any questions, call customer service for step-by-step guidance.

You’ll first need to fill out a claim form and gather all documents related to the issue you are claiming. This might include documentation for:

• Proof of trip details (booking confirmations, itinerary, payment receipts)
• Medical documentation (for health-related claims)
• Travel disruption/delay
• Trip cancelation/interruption
• Lost or stolen items
• Any other supporting documentation

For example, when I had to cancel my recent trip, I included emails I sent to my hosts stating that I couldn't attend and why.

“Let’s be honest, no one likes talking about insurance, but when a situation happens, having the insurance you need is vital and can help remove stress and make the overall challenging situation a little better,” says Osborne.

Once my broken foot was diagnosed and I knew that I couldn’t travel, I gathered all the necessary documents, submitted them online, and received the reimbursement in about three days. My travel insurance claim process was straightforward—and reassuring.