Add Insurance to Your Travel To-Do List

AAA Mid States

More Americans are heading overseas for their vacations, and they may need to add buying travel insurance to their vacation to-do lists, in addition to securing passports, purchasing flights and booking places to stay.

According to AAA travel insurance provider Allianz Global Assistance, an increasing number of countries are now requiring visitors to purchase travel insurance before entering their borders. Travelers might be asked to show proof of medical or hospitalization coverage before they can enter certain foreign countries, or risk being turned away.

Experts say the trend of mandatory insurance for international travelers is set to continue, as countries seek ways to relieve themselves of the financial burden of medical bills left unpaid by tourists. Many countries, including 15 of the 26 Schengen nations -- (a combination of European Union countries and independent nations like Iceland, Norway and Switzerland), Cuba, Ecuador, Qatar, Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the continent of Antarctica -- require some type of insurance for visitors, students or expats. In just the last year, Egypt announced plans to introduce insurance requirements, but details are not yet available. Thailand is also currently undergoing a debate on mandatory travel insurance for visiting tourists.

The good news is that Americans today increasingly see the great value and peace of mind that travel insurance provides. In fact, according to a recent AAA survey, nearly 4 in 10 Americans (38 percent) are likely to purchase travel insurance for future trips overseas.

“Regardless of whether your destination requires travel insurance, AAA highly recommends purchasing insurance before your next trip, including international and domestic vacations,” said Paula Twidale, vice president, AAA Travel. “There are just too many unknowns that can throw an unexpected wrench into your trip plans and insurance can provide peace of mind.”

Travelers can refer to the U.S. Department of State for country-specific requirements. AAA also recommends consulting a knowledgeable travel agent to explore insurance options and requirements before your next trip.

For more information on travel insurance, call your AAA Travel Agent at 1-800-222-1469 or visit your local AAA office.