Why travel insurance is more important than you think

Last week, I took a rare break from writing my weekly column. It wasn’t for a glamorous trip to an exotic location or a whirlwind travel conference - no, I was sidelined by something far less exciting: a minor day surgery that took a terrifying turn.

What should have been a routine procedure turned into a life-threatening emergency when I had a severe allergic reaction to general anaesthesia. For a short time I actually died right there on the operating table. It was a situation I never could have anticipated, and it left me shaken. But once the dust settled and I began to process what had happened, my mind went to a familiar place: travel.

What if this had happened while I was abroad? Would I have been covered? Would my family have been left scrambling to figure out how to get me the care I needed—or worse, how to bring me home?

This is exactly why I always, always travel with insurance. And why, if you don’t already, you should start.

The many faces of travel insurance

There’s a common misconception that travel insurance is just about getting reimbursed if your flight gets cancelled. While trip cancellation insurance is certainly useful, it’s only one small piece of the puzzle. True travel insurance covers so much more - including the kind of medical emergencies we never expect but absolutely need to plan for.

Here are some key types of travel insurance that every traveller should consider:

• Emergency Medical Insurance: Covers hospital stays, doctor visits, and medical treatments while you’re abroad. This is critical—especially in countries like the U.S., where even a minor hospital visit can cost thousands of dollars.
• Medical Evacuation Insurance: If you need to be flown home for medical treatment, this can cover the cost of air ambulances or specialized transport. Without it, medical repatriation can run into the tens of thousands.
• Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance: If you need to cancel or cut your trip short due to illness, a family emergency, or unforeseen circumstances, this helps recover costs for flights, hotels, and tours.
• Baggage & Personal Items Insurance: Protects against lost, stolen, or delayed baggage. (Because we all know how airlines like to misplace suitcases at the worst times.)
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance: No one wants to think about this, but if a tragedy happens while travelling, this type of coverage helps support your loved ones.

Crossing the border? You need insurance

Many people assume that because they have provincial health coverage (in Canada) or basic private insurance, they’re fine for a quick jaunt across the border. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Stepping into the United States - even for a day trip - without insurance is a financial gamble of the highest stakes. A simple slip and fall or minor accident could land you in an American hospital with a bill so staggering you’ll feel like you need medical attention just from reading it.

In fact, I always recommend annual travel insurance for anyone who travels even semi-regularly. It’s more cost-effective than buying separate policies for each trip, and it ensures that every time you leave your home country, you’re covered—whether it’s for a weekend getaway or a long-haul adventure.

Where to get travel insurance

If you need a travel insurance quote, I am a licensed travel insurance seller, as are my two trusted agents, Michelle Lucy and Lauren Preston. Both hold TICO licenses and are based in Niagara. Not only can they help with insurance, but they can also assist with any travel plans you may have - ensuring that your trip is seamless, safe, and stress-free.

Because if there’s one thing my recent medical scare has reminded me, it’s that the unexpected can happen to anyone, anywhere. And while we can’t always prevent emergencies, we can at least be prepared for them.

Before your next trip - whether it’s across the world or just across the border—make sure you’re covered. You’ll never regret having insurance, but you might deeply regret not having it when you need it most.

Want to travel with me? Check out my website here for my upcoming trips including loads of Safaris this year after partnering with an African company. 

Fancy an Oceania Cruise at Canadian Dollars at Par… reach out we have that too. lorraine@lorrainesimpson.com

Till next week travel pals!