Why Travel Insurance Makes Sense for Spring Break Vacations

Spring break is well known as a time for families to get away while kids have time off school, a perfect time for a post-winter getaway and for college students to travel and get wild. In addition to the usual travel hazards, spring break vacations often involve extra craziness.

During busy travel times, especially around large crowds of people, travel insurance should be seriously considered. Coming back home with a huge medical bill is not the kind of fun most people want out of their spring break vacations.

"For many college-age students, this may be the first time they've traveled to a destination without their parents," said Bob Chambers, travel insurance expert and vice president of operations at Generali Global Assistance. "It's natural for parents to worry about their kids, and having travel insurance can help both the students and their parents rest easier."

Chambers added that, "Unfortunate things can happen to anyone while traveling, and even people in their 20s could become injured or ill, lose their passport or luggage, or face travel disruptions from weather events, flight delays, or other unforeseeable events."

When asked about what travel insurance does and doesn't cover, Chambers advised, "Policies vary in the coverages and benefits they offer, and the specific events or 'perils' covered. Typically, policies cover sickness and injury (to the insured, traveling companion or family member), weather disruptions, aircraft mechanical problems and terrorist events, to name a few. Also, most policies exclude losses due to alcohol or illegal drug use, and many plans could exclude claims due to high-risk activities such as parasailing, bungee jumping, etc. It's important to read the policy carefully and understand what is and is not covered."

"In addition to the valuable insurance coverages, all travel insurance policies include 24-hour assistance services. These services can be invaluable for any traveler, but especially for students traveling on their own. Assistance services can provide help with situations such as making alternate travel arrangements, finding a local doctor, or replacing a lost passport," Chambers said.

Travel insurance with coverage for medical evacuation can help keep travelers from paying huge costs if seriously injured, especially for those taking spring break vacations abroad. The U.S. Department of State says that medical evacuations by air ambulance can cost more than $10,000 and must be paid in advance by travelers who don’t have insurance. Generali Global Assistance plans include access to a 24/7 international emergency hotline and coverage for emergency medical evacuations.

Travelers are already at high risk for identity theft because they’re usually carrying sensitive documents, IDs and credit cards in unfamiliar places. The large crowds of people at destinations popular for spring break vacations increase the risk that a traveler might be pickpocketed and become the victim of identity theft. In order to help travelers whose identities have been compromised on their vacation, travel protection plans from Generali Global Assistance include ID Theft Resolution Services.

Also read: 9 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft When You Travel

Whether college students, families or individuals are traveling during the popular college spring break time frame, they should not only consider travel insurance from a reputable source, such as Generali Global Assistance, but also prepare for a busier travel experience. In 2017, 29 million more domestic person-trips will occur than did the year before, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Planning ahead, especially with the help of travel insurance, can reduce travel stress and make for a much more relaxing vacation.

With winter a fleeting memory and the mercury beginning to rise above freezing, spring is a beautiful time of year to enjoy a good trip. For those who are lucky enough to have weeks or a few precious days off, spring break vacations are the perfect time to pause, celebrate and refresh—
just remember to prepare for potential spring break dangers.

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