Protect Your Trip: The Importance of Domestic Travel Insurance
With so much to do and see across the United States, it’s no surprise that the U.S is consistently the most popular destination among Squaremouth customers. Whether you’re planning a vacation to the other side of the country or a roadtrip a few hours from home, domestic travel insurance can provide you with financial protection against unforeseen events and emergencies.
What Does Domestic Travel Insurance Cover?
Getting domestic travel insurance for your upcoming trip within the United States can provide coverage for unexpected events that may occur along the way. The exact coverage may vary depending on the insurance policy and the insurance provider, but here are some common coverages that travelers should look for in a domestic travel insurance policy:
Trip Cancellation or Interruption Coverage
One of the most important aspects of domestic travel insurance is trip cancellation or interruption coverage. This type of coverage can reimburse you for non-refundable expenses if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to a covered reason, such as illness, injury, or severe weather. Cancellation benefits can refund 100% of your covered trip costs.
Coverage for Medical Emergencies
Another important aspect of domestic travel insurance is Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation coverage. Even if you have health insurance, a travel medical policy can provide additional protection if you get ill or injured during your trip.
Medical benefits are especially helpful if your health insurance offers limited coverage when you’re traveling out of state or out of network. Also, if you have a high health insurance deductible, a “primary” travel medical insurance policy may be best for you, as it will pay out medical bills first up to the policy’s limits.
Domestic Delay Coverage
A policy’s Travel Delay benefit can provide coverage if you experience delays caused by bad weather, mechanical breakdowns, or other unforeseen circumstances. This is a common concern for many travelers in today’s travel landscape. While this benefit most commonly covers airline delays, it also can cover trains and long-distance bus rides.
Travel Delay coverage may reimburse you additional expenses incurred due to a delay, such as hotel stays, meals, and transportation. The coverage may also provide compensation if the delay forces you to miss a connection or other travel arrangements booked in advance.
Baggage and Personal Effects Coverage
Domestic travel insurance can also provide coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and personal effects. In addition, a policy’s Baggage Delay benefit may also reimburse travelers if they need to purchase essential items, such as toiletries and clothes, if their bags are delayed during transit.
Is Domestic Travel Insurance Worth It?
Although traveling within the United States can seem like a safer and less risky option than international travel, it still comes with its own set of potential problems. A canceled flight or a sudden illness can still disrupt your travel plans and leave you out of pocket for a significant amount of money. Domestic travel insurance can protect you against such events and provide you with peace of mind before and during your trip.
How Much is Domestic Travel Insurance?
On average, a single trip domestic travel insurance policy will cost travelers roughly 5-10% of their total trip cost. According to Squaremouth data, travelers taking a domestic trip spend roughly $240 on travel insurance. The cost of domestic travel insurance can vary depending on several factors, such as the cost of your trip, the length of your trip, your age, and the amount of coverage you require.
Where to Buy Travel Insurance for USA Trips
There are a few options to choose from when deciding where to buy a domestic travel insurance policy.
- Direct From Insurance Providers: Much like buying an airline ticket or hotel stay, travelers can easily visit a travel insurance provider’s website, call their customer service department, or even use their app to purchase a policy for their upcoming trip.
- When Purchasing Flights, Cruises or Hotels: Many airlines, hotels, and other travel suppliers offer trip protection as an add-on when making a reservation. These policies are usually offered through third-party providers, and can vary widely when it comes to premiums and benefits.
- From Travel Insurance Comparison Sites: Comparison sites allow travelers to instantly compare policies from multiple different travel insurance providers. These sites are great for travelers that want to find the best deal at the lowest price, and don’t have the time or patience to compare policies on their own.
- Through Your Travel Credit Cards: In addition to attractive sign-on bonuses and benefits, many high end travel credit cards offer travel protection to cardholders at the cost of an annual fee. Generally, this protection can reimburse cardholders in the event of canceled trips, missed connections, and lost luggage.