More than 30 million family travelers will visit an international destination this year. That’s nine percent more than just two years ago. And as more Americans are heading overseas for their vacations, many are adding insurance to their travel to-do lists.

According to a recent AAA survey, nearly four in 10 Americans will likely purchase travel insurance for future trips overseas. And AAA has seen its domestic and international travel insurance sales increase more than 20% year-to-date.

Refunds for a trip cancellation is the top priority for 88% of those who are seriously considering travel insurance. However, there are other advantages too:

• You landed but your bags didn’t. Airlines mishandled more than 22 million bags in 2017. Travel insurance can provide coverage to replace needed items if luggage is delayed, damaged or stolen.
• Sick happens. Most health insurance policies don’t cover international travel, and many hospitals outside the United States require cash payments before providing treatment. Travel insurance can help cover medical expenses ‒ whether you’re traveling internationally or staying stateside ‒ and even costly evacuations back to the United States in emergencies.
• Flight delays and cancellations. Airlines may not cover all costs associated with a delayed or canceled flight. Travel insurance can help reimburse expenses such as rebooking fees, meals and accommodations.

“There are too many unknowns, like emergencies and natural disasters, which can throw an unexpected wrench into a planned vacation,” said Bill Sutherland, senior vice president of AAA Travel and Publishing. “Travelers are increasingly not taking chances. They’re choosing to invest in the value and peace of mind that travel insurance can provide, for international, domestic and cruise vacations. The relatively small upfront cost can pay back dividends in the event of sudden and unforeseen circumstances before or during a vacation,” he added.

Travel Insurance From AAA

Because policies and coverage options vary, consulting a knowledgeable travel agent to explore options is recommended. For more information, visit AAA.com/Travel.