Travel insurance is something people groan about all the time!
Since the cost of the insurance is based on the total cost of the trip (and your age), it is usually quoted last and a forgotten expense. So try to remember to include insurance in the vacation budget!

Why Would I Need It?

• Natural Disasters such as storms and hurricanes. Remember 2017? There were 10 hurricanes in the Atlantic with 6 of them being category 3 or more! Many countries in the Caribbean were affected and many vacations were canceled as a result.

• Illness or Injury - my friend stepped off a curb in Italy and broke her ankle. She needed  x-rays, an overnight stay in the hospital, and ultimately came home early. Most health insurance policies do not cover medical outside the US and they likely won't help pay to get you home. 

• Assistance in a foreign language - don't discount these services, even the smallest problem can be a big one if you can't tell anyone the problem. Travel insurance provides help communicating in the native language of the country you are visiting.

• Smaller Inconveniences - so maybe you're thinking there won't be a major problem. But even something small can ruin a vacation. My very active and healthy brother-in-law stepped on something sharp in the ocean and needed a tetanus shot. Totally unexpected! His vacation wasn't ruined, but it did require a visit to the medical facility on site as well as treatment.

• 24/7 Help - Insurance companies have people standing by in case of emergency. The agents are multilingual and available to help you handle all kinds of travel emergencies from finding local medical and legal professionals, arranging to send a message home, helping with missed connections and lost/stolen travel documents, and much more.

How much will it cost?
The cost of a policy is determined by age, level of coverage and cost of trip. There is no one size fits all when it comes to insurance coverage for a trip. For example, a domestic vacation may not require the medical benefits that you want with an international trip.  There are many choices of policies, so ask an insurance professional which plan is right for you.
Can I wait to buy it?
Generally speaking, if you want a pre-existing condition waiver included in the policy, you will need to purchase within 7-14 days of initial payment on your trip. Otherwise, you may purchase a policy up to 1 day prior to departure. It is in your best interest to purchase the policy as soon as possible so that the coverage begins before an emergency takes place. Again, each plan is different so be sure to know the specific terms of the policy you are considering.
What is Cancel For Any Reason?
Some companies offer cancel for any reason as an optional benefit. This type of coverage adds to the cost of the policy and you should check the reimbursement percentage, it can start at a mere 50%.  If you think that you may cancel for a reason not typically covered (think Zika scare a few years ago) then definitely consider looking into this option.
​Which Travel Insurance Companies do you recommend?
There are several reputable travel insurance companies available to you. I personally work closely with Travel Guard and Allianz. 

The most important benefit of travel insurance is peace of mind. It's tough to relax and fully enjoy your vacation if you're worried about hurricanes, getting sick, losing your passport or missing your flight. Choosing an insurance policy is a personal matter, everyone's needs are different and there is a policy for every need. I am happy to answer questions or refer you to a trusted partner who can help.

There are a lot of questions surrounding the vaccination card. Until there is one centralized way to present proof of vaccination, that card is going to be very valuable. The card provides information regarding which vaccine you received, when to return for your second dose and serves as proof of vaccination.

​Here are answers to some of the FAQ's I have been hearing:

1. Should I laminate my card?
Apparently some of the large office supply stores started advertising that they will laminate the card for free. This is actually NOT recommended since there may be additional information like booster shot details that need to be documented on that card. Instead, you can consider using a plastic sleeve to protect the paper.

2. Will there be a vaccination passport?
It is expected that there will be some type of vaccination passport to help with travel, however, right now there is no one, centralized app or website to upload your vaccination information. Some airlines have made it possible to upload the information into the app along with boarding passes. CLEAR has also included a digital upload feature for its members. We need to wait and see if there will be a unified approach to the proof of vaccination in the coming months.

If you are a NY resident, Governor Cuomo announced the new Excelsior App, in which New Yorkers can show proof of vaccination or a negative covid test for entrance into participating theaters, stadiums, arenas, and other events. Learn more about the Excelsior App here: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/excelsior-pass

3. What if I lose or damage my card?
The card is pretty important right now so it's best to keep it with your other important documents. It is recommended that you take a photo of front and back to have a copy. If you do lose it or it becomes damaged, try returning to the site you received the vaccine and ask if they can reissue one. Additionally, most states are asking administers to record who receives the shot, so check with your state if they have a database. I live in NY, as per the NYSDOH guidance, vaccinations are registered with NYSIIS/CIR which a physician can access.

Keep those vaccination cards safe!

It's not about where you go, it's about how it makes you feel.
If you have ever been on a trip or a vacation that didn't meet your expectations, you probably have figured out that it's not about the destination. When you go away, you bring yourself along!

Last December my husband and I took a quick trip to Jamaica and it was awful! It wasn't Jamaica's fault, we've had many amazing adventures in Jamaica before. So why was this trip such a bust? It was right before the holidays and we both stressed out over work and buying gifts, plus we had winter colds so we weren't feeling great. We figured a quick getaway would be perfect to relax and unwind. Guess what - we brought our problems with us - we couldn't stop talking about the same stressful issues we had been discussing at home. Was it a lot nicer to discuss them on a beach with the sun on our faces, of course, but my point is - vacation is a mindset, not a destination. We failed at turning it all off during our vacation.

The vacations that have been the most successful for us, are the ones that we were able to table everything and let go. I propose that you could do that anywhere - even at home! Am I saying you never need to travel again, of course not! But you can achieve the same break during this travel ban that you can on vacation if you are willing to take a break from it all and give yourself a mental vacation.

So grab a bottle of wine, make your favorite meal or sit down to a comforting movie and take a mental break from it all! We can dream and plan for our next vacation during the down time!
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Where are you dreaming about going when you feel safe to travel?
Ready to travel now, click the button below and let me know how I can help!