Protect Your Trip: Why Travel Insurance Matters

By Eric Hrubant, Founder & CEO of CIRE Travel

Travel is an investment – you should treat it as such.

When asked the question, “Would you like to purchase travel insurance?” Do you struggle with deciding whether to incur the extra charge, asking yourself, “Am I ever going to need this? And if I do, would it even help?”

Our team at CIRE Travel takes pride in offering every ounce of luxury to our clients, and insurance is no exception. Okay, okay, insurance isn’t screaming luxury, but we believe travel is an investment, and like all investments, it should be protected.

When deciding whether to purchase travel insurance, it’s easy to dismiss it as an unnecessary expense. But how often do we truly consider the countless situations where it could save us from unexpected headaches, financial losses, or even full-blown travel disasters? And, when we make the decision to buy travel insurance to cover our vacations, honeymoons, and business trips, what type of insurance should we buy and what insurance company should we use?  All travel insurance is NOT created equal.  Keep reading for true stories and helpful info so you can decide what coverage is best for your next important trip.

When Travel Goes Wrong: Insurance to the Rescue

$20,000+ Saved

Just days before departing on the European trip of a lifetime, disaster struck: a client was diagnosed with an infection. Her doctor strongly advised against travel. The news was devastating—the non-refundable trip, meticulously planned over several months, cost more than $20,000.  BUT, because they’d purchased travel insurance from our trusted partners at Arch RoamRight, their non‑refundable deposits were fully refunded—in just nine business days.

$100,000+ Medical Evacuation

While biking in a remote part of Peru, an insured traveler in her fifties saw her dream vacation take a frightening turn when she hit rough terrain and crashed. The accident left her with serious injuries, including multiple broken ribs and a collapsed lung. Situations like this can be especially challenging in remote areas, where local facilities may not be equipped to handle complex medical emergencies, making evacuation to a more advanced hospital essential. These scenarios are not only dangerous but also incredibly expensive and stressful. Fortunately, her evacuation to a regional hospital and subsequent air ambulance transfer back to her home hospital in the United States were fully covered. The total claim payout exceeded $100,000.

Tech‑Mishap Turned Win

Maybe you’re planning a carefree family getaway to the beach, and lounging by the pool doesn’t exactly scream “travel insurance needed.” After all, what could possibly go wrong? For one family of three spending spring break in Mexico, the unexpected came in the form of their four-year-old son who tossed Mom’s iPad into the pool. Fortunately, the family was insured, and when they returned home, Mom received a brand-new replacement tablet. Problem solved!

The Ins and Outs of Insurance Cost & Coverage

Let’s face it: insurance can be expensive. There’s no getting around that. At CIRE, we like to say, “It’s the most expensive thing you don’t want to buy.” But in our opinion, it’s worth the peace of mind.

Pricing typically depends on your total trip cost, the state you live in and your age. The higher-end plans typically include a Cancel for Any Reason benefit but do not reimburse 100% of the trip cost. We generally recommend mid-tier policies for our clients, as they offer broad coverage for common cancellation reasons such as illness. For travelers who aren’t interested in cancellation coverage, we suggest a post-departure policy to ensure they’re protected during their trip.

An easy way to think about it: if you twist your ankle before your trip, only the high end and mid-range plans will likely help. If you twist it during your trip, any plan should have you covered.

All Travel Insurance Companies are NOT Created Equal

It’s important to note the key differences between travel insurance from a reputable company and the check-box insurance on travel booking sites:

Travel Insurance from a Reputable Company (e.g., Arch RoamRight, Allianz, Travelex, etc.)

• Comprehensive coverage: These policies often cover trip cancellation, interruption, medical emergencies, evacuation, baggage loss, and more. Some also include coverage for COVID-related issues, pre-existing conditions, or cancel-for-any-reason upgrades.
• Higher policy limits: You’re more likely to get reimbursed for the full value of your trip or large medical expenses abroad.
• Dedicated support: You have access to 24/7 emergency assistance, claim support, and customer service that can help you while you’re away.
• Customizable plans: You can tailor the policy to your specific needs — international vs. domestic travel, cruise coverage, adventure sports, etc.

Check-Box Insurance from Airlines, OTAs (Online Travel Agencies), or Cruise Sites

• Limited and basic coverage: Typically, this covers trip cancellation (usually only for a narrow set of reasons), and sometimes a few add-ons like baggage loss or delay.
• Fine print traps: These policies often have more exclusions, lower benefit caps, and trickier claims processes.
• Third-party insurer you’ve never heard of: You’re often buying coverage from a company you wouldn’t choose if you had looked into it.
• No real support: If something goes wrong, you’re usually on your own trying to call a claims department or sort it out mid-trip.
• And a mantra we repeat at CIRE: If it’s cheaper, there’s probably a reason and it’s not always a good one.

Don’t Leave Home Unprotected

When travelers are booking their vacations, most aren’t thinking of an unforeseen event that will result in them having to cancel their trip. The list of “what-ifs” can feel endless, but that’s exactly why travel insurance exists. What if my flight is delayed? What if it’s canceled? What if my hotel catches fire? What if a hurricane comes? What if I get into an accident? Travel insurance helps to take the worry off your shoulders, providing peace of mind and connecting you with experts who can help when you may be at your most vulnerable.

Ready to Safeguard Your Next Getaway?

If you’re considering travel insurance for your next trip, contact us for more information. Our travel experts are here to help!

CIRE Travel is a full-service travel agency headquartered in New York, NY.  Our expert corporate travel planners, honeymoon travel agents, and luxury travel planners support clients across the country and around the world.