Affiliate Disclaimer: The editors at Sleepy Globetrotter handpick all recommendations. If you make a purchase or book a hotel through our affiliate links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.
Travel insurance—your safety net when things go sideways.
You know, like when you miss a flight, your luggage goes on its own vacation, or your stomach decides to protest that suspicious street food.
🗓️ Whether you like to book hotels and flights months in advance or at the last minute, Expedia is a great place to explore your options. You can compare prices on hotels, flights, cars, bundles, and cruises all in one spot. Give it a look and start planning your next trip! See what’s available on Expedia >>
But, despite its good intentions, many travelers trip up when choosing the right policy. It’s easy to think of it as an afterthought—until you need it.
Let’s take a look at seven classic mistakes that people often make when choosing travel insurance.
Get ready to laugh and learn from others’ missteps (and hopefully avoid them yourself).
1. Skipping Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions
You’ve got your insurance all lined up, but wait—did you check whether your pre-existing medical condition is covered? If you’re thinking, “Oh, I’ll be fine,” you might be in for a surprise.
Many standard travel insurance policies won’t cover medical issues related to pre-existing conditions like asthma, diabetes, or even a past knee injury. That’s a problem if something goes wrong while you’re abroad.
The solution? Look for a policy that includes coverage for pre-existing conditions, or buy a policy that specifically caters to your needs. It could be the difference between enjoying your trip or spending your vacation in a hospital bed, wondering how you missed this crucial detail.
2. Assuming All Cancellations Are Covered
You booked a dream vacation, and then life happened. A family emergency, a work crisis, or your flight gets canceled due to weather. You assume your travel insurance will have your back, but unfortunately, not all cancellations are created equal.
Many policies have strict criteria about what qualifies for a cancellation refund. For instance, canceling due to a personal inconvenience, like deciding you’d rather binge-watch a series than fly to Paris, might not be covered.
Always read the fine print and make sure your policy covers the “what-ifs” you could realistically face. It’s much better to discover these limits before you’re scrambling for a refund.
3. Choosing the Cheapest Option
Let’s face it: the cheap option can be tempting, especially when you’re booking a trip that already has your wallet crying for mercy. But when it comes to travel insurance, the lowest price often means sacrificing important coverage.
It’s a bit like choosing a budget airline—sure, you saved a few bucks, but now you’re squished between two people who think the armrests are part of their personal space. When it comes to insurance, the cheapest policy might leave you vulnerable in situations that matter most.
Be sure to compare coverage carefully and make sure you’re getting what you really need. That “affordable” policy might not be worth it if you’re left high and dry when things go wrong.
4. Forgetting to Check the Fine Print
You’ve chosen your policy, bought it, and now it’s time to sit back and relax—right? Not so fast. The fine print is where the real action is. Every insurance policy has exclusions and limitations that can come back to haunt you when you least expect it.
Maybe your policy won’t cover certain adventurous activities like zip-lining or skydiving. Or perhaps your coverage only extends to trips lasting up to a certain number of days.
If you don’t take the time to comb through the fine print, you could end up discovering some unpleasant surprises when you’re halfway around the world. Bottom line: read the fine print and make sure everything is covered.
5. Not Considering Travel Delay Coverage
Delays happen. Your flight is late, your connection gets missed, or a storm messes up your plans. Without the right travel delay coverage, you might find yourself paying for extra nights at a hotel and meals you hadn’t planned on.
Insurance that includes travel delays can reimburse you for those unexpected costs, making the inconvenience a little less painful. Don’t forget to check if your insurance covers those frustrating delays, especially if you’re flying to a remote destination where finding a hotel or meal options can be tricky.
It’s one of those things you’ll appreciate when you’re sitting in an airport lounge, clutching your carry-on, wondering if you’ll ever make it to your destination.
6. Overlooking Baggage Coverage
Luggage that goes missing? It’s the stuff of nightmares. You arrive at your destination, ready to make memories—and then the baggage carousel stops, and your suitcase has vanished into the abyss.
Not all policies cover lost or delayed baggage, and even if they do, there are often limits to how much they’ll reimburse. You may not get the exact cost of your designer suitcase back, but you’ll appreciate the coverage when you’re stuck without clothes for a day or two in a new city.
Make sure your insurance covers lost, delayed, or damaged baggage to avoid a shopping spree on the first day of your trip.
7. Forgetting to Include Activities Coverage
You’ve been waiting for this vacation for months. The hikes, the surfing, the diving—you’ve got big plans. But then disaster strikes: you sprain your ankle while rock climbing, or you twist your knee while skiing, and suddenly you’re left wondering if your insurance covers your activities.
The standard policy might cover general injuries but exclude certain activities or sports—especially high-risk ones. If you’re planning to do anything adventurous, make sure your policy covers those specific activities.
After all, nothing says “vacation” like needing an ambulance while bungee jumping, but it’s a whole lot better if your insurance has your back!
Final Words
If you thought travel insurance was just a boring add-on to your trip, think again. It’s the safety net that can turn your potential travel disasters into mere bumps in the road.
Avoid these common mistakes, and you’ll be one step closer to mastering the art of carefree travel. Choose the right policy, read the fine print, and ensure your insurance is as adventurous as your trip. In the end, having solid coverage means you can focus on the fun—like finally eating that questionable street food without wondering if you’ll be sick for the next three days.
Get it right, and the only thing you’ll be worried about is missing out on an extra scoop of gelato.