Just in time for summer travel, the CDC has lifted the requirement to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test to go back home to the United States from abroad. With the fear of being quarantined in a foreign country removed, many travelers are looking to book last-minute summer trips and may not see the need to consider travel insurance.
The experts at Yonder Travel Insurance (insureyonder.com) suggest those planning last-minute summer vacations consider the following two major factors when deciding whether travel insurance is a nonessential item to pack.
Trip Expenses Rising
Airfare rates are at all-time highs to popular international vacation destinations. Fares for the major airlines are up 50% compared to the prices they were a year ago. Throw in pent-up demand, limited fleets, and soaring fuel costs, it’s unlikely this will be the summer for cheap travel. Travel insurance is able to provide peace of mind when booking above-average non-refundable flight and vacation costs.
“We’re noticing that travelers are planning bucket list-type trips and sparing no expense,” says Terry Boynton, Yonder President, and Co-Founder. “Yonder customers were spending an average of $4,000 per trip in 2019. That average has since increased by 55%! The average trip cost on Yonder for 2022 hovers right around $9,000.”
COVID-19 Illnesses Remain
COVID-19 cases are on the decline but many people are still contracting the virus, whether vaccinated and fully boosted or unvaccinated. The good news is that most travel insurance policies are still treating COVID-19 as a covered illness if you, a family member or a traveling companion contract COVID-19 prior to or during your trip! Unforeseen illnesses may be covered under travel insurance benefits such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expense, and medical evacuation.
For extra flexible cancellation coverage, travelers may want to consider Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, a benefit that would allow you to cancel for any reason at all and recoup 75% of your nonrefundable trip costs. This is a time-sensitive benefit (must be purchased 1-21 days from the trip deposit) so don’t wait to get a travel insurance quote! The team of friendly humans at Yonder Travel Insurance is always happy to address questions, concerns and assist in running a travel insurance quote.
Meagan has spent over seven years at Yonder Travel Insurance mastering the "fine print" so travelers don’t have to. With a background spanning marketing and operations, she specializes in deconstructing complex policy jargon into clear, actionable advice that empowers travelers to explore with confidence. From selecting the perfect plan for a niche itinerary to navigating the intricacies of the claims process, Meagan provides the unbiased, expert travel insurance insights necessary to maximize benefits and minimize risk. By maintaining close partnerships with the travel insurance industry’s top providers, she stays at the forefront of emerging trends, ensuring her readers are always one step ahead of the unexpected.
