As summer approaches and travel plans begin to take shape, it’s a good time to think beyond flights and hotels and consider how you’re protecting yourself while away from home.
My family and I are traveling to Italy this summer. While using resources like Pinerary for ideas and planning, we realized travel insurance was one of the last, but most important, items to consider.
For those planning to travel overseas, travel insurance is specifically designed to help manage the unique risks that come with international travel.
While domestic trips may have some coverage through your existing health plan, most U.S.-based insurance provides limited, or no, coverage outside the country. That means an unexpected illness or injury abroad could quickly become both a medical and financial challenge.
Travel insurance is built to address these gaps and is particularly valuable for international travel. A comprehensive policy typically includes:
- Emergency medical coverage for illnesses or injuries while abroad
- Medical evacuation, including transportation to the nearest appropriate facility or even back to the U.S. if needed
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage due to covered events like illness, severe weather, or family emergencies
- Lost, stolen, or delayed baggage protection
- Travel delay coverage for unexpected lodging and meal expenses
One of the most critical benefits is medical evacuation, which is generally not covered by traditional health insurance. The cost of being transported from a foreign country to a qualified medical facility, or back home, can be extremely high, making this coverage essential.
As international travel increases during the summer months, having the right protection in place allows you to focus on the experience rather than the “what ifs.” Between planning itineraries, securing restaurant reservations, and using helpful travel resources like Pinerary along the way, travel insurance is a simple, cost-effective way to safeguard both your health and your investment in your trip.
Ester Viti is the Vice President of Viti Financial Services, a subsidiary of The VITI Companies, a third-generation, family-owned independent insurance agency founded by her grandfather in 1938. Since joining the company in 2004, she has been dedicated to delivering customized planning solutions for both individuals and businesses. Ester grew up in Highland Park and now lives in Lake Forest with her husband and three children. You can reach her at esterv@viticompanies.com.
