I was watching MTV Ridiculousness and the host and co-hosts were discussing car rental insurance which led to me thinking about trip insurance. The host was adamant that the insurance wasn’t necessary. He believed the insurance was a means for the car vendor to get more money for the same rental. The co-host thought the host was being ridiculous. The co-host believed that the expense was minimal relative to the cost and anxiety if the car was damaged during the rental period. For the co-host, the peace of mind was well worth the few extra dollars. The Ridiculousness hosts’ choices were personal preference. Ultimately, the decision to purchase trip insurance is a personal one. Some travelers may simply prefer to take their chances. However, there are a few reasons you might want to consider before declining trip insurance.

A few years ago, I was all set for a surf trip to Mexico with a group of friends. Flights booked, bags mentally packed, waves already on my mind. Then I got a text message. My dad was suddenly hospitalized with a severe infection. There was never really a decision to make.  My surf trip would be delayed. I cancelled my flights. And thanks to my cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance policy, I was able to recoup most of my costs. Fortunately, my dad recovered after a week in the Intensive Care Unit.

I share this story because it’s a good reminder that the reasons we cancel trips aren’t always emergencies. Sometimes life just intervenes in the most unexpected ways.

Over the years, we’ve seen our guests face all kinds of unforeseen circumstances that affected their travel plans. A sudden job loss. An unexpected injury or medical diagnosis. A family emergency that couldn’t wait. These aren’t rare worst-case scenarios — they’re real situations that happen to real people, often at the worst possible times.

Common reasons guests have needed to cancel or adjust their trips

  • Unexpected job loss or work conflict
  • Sudden illness, injury, or medical diagnosis
  • A family emergency or celebration such as a birth or a wedding
  • A travel companion’s circumstances changing

But trip insurance isn’t only about what happens before you leave. It also has your back once you’re on the road. Think about the things that can go sideways mid-trip: your checked bag takes an unplanned detour or a delayed connection causes you to miss the next leg of your journey.

What trip insurance can cover while you’re traveling

  • Delayed or lost baggage — including reimbursement for essentials you need to buy in the meantime
  • Missed flights and connections due to delays outside your control
  • Illness or injury during the trip, including unexpected medical expenses

Travel insurance is one of the smartest, most practical things you can do after booking a trip, and we’ve made it easier than ever to get covered.

Purchase your policy during the booking process.

There are two levels of coverage to choose from, so you can find the plan that fits your needs and budget.

A few things to keep in mind as you shop:

  • Some policies, like cancel for any reason (CFAR), require you to purchase within a short window after booking, so don’t wait too long.
  • Review coverage levels carefully to make sure you’re protected for the things that matter most to you.
  • When in doubt, err on the side of more coverage. The peace of mind is worth it.

Adventure has a way of rewarding those who plan for the unexpected. We hope your trip goes off without a hitch. But if life has other plans, we want you to be ready.

Discussing Trip Insurance

Perhaps the most important benefit when discussing trip insurance is the peace of mind it provides. Peace of mind that you are protected against unexpected events.  This can help you relax and enjoy your vacation.  You will not need to worry or have anxiety about what might go wrong. Purchasing trip insurance can provide valuable protection.  Trip insurance helps ensure you are not left with significant financial losses.  Trip insurance helps cover your unexpected expenses if something goes wrong during your trip.

InsureStays logoHawaii Dream Realty LLC offers trip insurance through InsureStays. InsureStays is an industry leading provider that offers trip insurance at competitive prices.

Click Here To download a brochure on our Trip Cancellation and Travel Insurance Program

The brochure provides an overview of the Standard Travel Protection option and the Cancel for Any Reason Travel Protection.