Did you know that 45% of people in the US take a summer vacation? Over 90% of the trips are by road, while around 7% are by air. Regardless of the mode of travel you opt for, getting travel insurance is a good idea and can save you a fortune in the long run.

This year, total summer travel spending has been close to $100 billion, which makes up over 30% of the entire travel spend in the US for 2017.

With this much money at stake, travel insurance is completely necessary. Of course, circumstances vary from person to person, but it is better to err on the side of caution. Travel insurance can help keep yourself and your belongings safe, especially when you travel overseas.  

If you are planning to travel at the end of summer, you should definitely opt for travel insurance.

Here are four things you should consider to select the right policy:

1.   Potential Costs

You have to start by calculating the potential additional costs you might have to bear if your trip does not go according to plan. For instance, in case you have to change or cancel your flight tickets, or hotel booking, you might have to pay extra. In some cases, you might not receive a refund on the cancellation.

You may also have to bear additional costs in case you have to cut your trip short. Keep in mind that the sum you arrive at will be the money you lose in case something goes wrong. Unless you have travel insurance, you have no chance of restitution.

2.   Traveling Abroad

In case you are heading out on an international trip where you explore multiple countries or continents, you are depending on travel agents or tour companies to plan your trip. But, what if the tour company cancels your agreement for any reason, or you miss your flight –  you might be left stranded.

You will be on your own and have to bear additional cost to get your trip back on track. This is where travel insurance can cover the extra costs you are paying for out of pocket. Moreover, you can get medical coverage with travel insurance, which is a wise choice when you are flying abroad.

3.   Possible Risks

You have to determine the extent of the coverage you need from your travel insurance policy. There are two options you can select from:

·      Named Exclusion, where you get limited coverage for a specific situation

·      Cancel for Any Reason, where you get broader coverage

Depending on the policy you choose, you can get coverage for up to 100% of any loss you bear on your trip. Fear of travel is considered valid under a named exclusion policy but not when you opt for a cancel for any reason policy.

4.   Existing Coverage

If you already have insurance, you should check if the policy offers travel coverage.

For instance, your home insurance might cover your belongings even when you head overseas. In this case, you don’t need to get travel insurance if you are only worried about losing your baggage.

Some credit cards also offer travel insurance. Depending on the provider, you might get up to $10,000 of coverage for your trip. That being said, it is still a good idea to opt for travel insurance so you have more comprehensive coverage.

Keep these four things in mind and you will be able to buy the ideal travel insurance policy for your end of summer trip.