We’ve all been there. You’re planning your next getaway. You’ve chosen your destination, found the ideal resort and you’re ready to click book. Just before you do you’re asked if you’d like to purchase travel insurance. Often times we don’t give the question a second thought, but a small investment upfront could save you a great deal in the long run.
In a recent article, “
Cheapo Travel: Should you buy travel insurance?” writer Marla Jo Fisher shared her experience and knowledge on the topic. She describes a scenario in which her son became ill just before a trip she was booked on. Fortunately she had purchased travel insurance and was reimbursed for the entire cost of the trip. Life is unpredictable and unfortunately things do come up that could interfere with your vacation plans. So in an effort to make an already stressful situation a bit easier we’d like to take a moment to discuss your options.
Here at Bucuti we have a 30-day cancellation policy that charges the guest a 100 percent penalty if they cancel within 30 days of arrival. Our primary business is driven by advanced reservations, not walk-in bookings, so it is necessary for us to enforce this policy without exception. When a situation does arise for a guest it is always easier on them when they have travel cancellation insurance as the policy will typically cover their cost of stay. No one really thinks they will need to use it, but when an unforeseen circumstance comes up they are glad they have it. So what do you need to consider when it comes to purchasing a plan? Here are a few tips from Fisher’s article.
- Find different offerings and get quotes easily from sites such as: TripInsurance.com, InsureMyTrip.com and SquareMouth.com.
- Insurance cost is based on the cost of your trip and the number and age of the people traveling. As mentioned earlier, it can range from 4 percent to 8 percent of the cost depending on the plan.
- Choose a company that will provide you 24/7 immediate phone assistance in case of emergency.
- If you are counting on travel insurance provided by a credit card, do some research ahead of time and make sure you feel confident you’re fully covered.
- Buy your insurance as soon as you’ve spent money – for plane tickets, for a deposit, etc. That way, you’re insured from the beginning. It doesn’t get cheaper if you wait, and you may lose coverage.
- Bring a copy of the policy with you on your trip, preferably not in your checked luggage.
- You may be able to buy an annual policy if you plan on taking multiple trips.
Once you’ve decided to go ahead and purchase an insurance plan you should think about what your Aruba vacation experience will be and what you will want to ensure you have covered. Here are a number of terms you should familiarize yourself with.
- Trip protection – Reimburses you for non-refundable prepayments in the event of last-minute cancellation.
- Medical expenses – Covers you in a foreign country if you need emergency care from a doctor or dentist. Medical evacuation pays for you to be evacuated by whatever means necessary and available, including a chartered plane, to receive proper emergency medical care.
- Sports and hazardous activities – If you’ll be engaging in certain activities, you’ll need to pay extra for a medical rider.
- Baggage loss – Airlines will pay you a limited amount if they lose your bags, but your luggage could be lost or stolen under other conditions as well. This covers these situations.
- Missed connections and travel delays – This is coverage in addition to whatever an airline would do for you.
It’s our sincere hope that nothing will come in the way of your Bucuti vacation experience, but in the event that it does we’d like you to be prepared. For more information on this topic please click here or feel free to ask one of our Bucuti reservations specialists at your time of booking.
Safe travels!
