Why should I buy travel protection when I am traveling within the U.S.?

September 23, 2024

From sea to shining sea, the United States of America offers legendary cities, jaw-dropping national parks, and every imaginable type of cultural experience. For residents of the U.S., it may seem unnecessary to add trip protection such as a SafeTrip plan. However, just because an American traveler is exploring their own back yard, that doesn’t prevent the same challenges as those that might affect an international trip. 

Unexpected events can happen anywhere, even within minutes of departing from your home. Fortunately, from trip cancellations or interruptions due to weather, illness, or family emergencies, or even for lost or delayed luggage, a SafeTrip travel protection plan has got you covered.

Common events that can derail a domestic trip

A U.S. trip may feel less risky than an international journey, however, the lack of distance doesn’t minimize the three common events that could jeopardize your well-planned vacation. While you can’t completely avoid the emotional impact of a stressful event, knowing that you have a backup plan for the financial impact can reduce the strain of an unexpected turn of events, such as:

1. Trip cancellations, delays and interruptions. Cancellations happen, whether due to weather, labor issues or other complications. Also, during seasons where extreme weather events are more common, you can anticipate that some aspect of your travels may be affected, even if it’s just ripple effects from elsewhere in the transportation system. The good news is, if this happens to you, the right kind of travel protection can help minimize the financial impact.

2. Lost or stolen luggage. You carefully labeled and checked your suitcase holding all your travel clothes and gear — or maybe you’ve checked a bag filled with souvenirs gathered on your cross-country trip. If that luggage is lost or stolen, you’re not out of luck if you have a trip protection plan, with coverage that can provide short-term needs (like a change of clothes and toiletries to get you through a night) or reimburse you for permanently lost items.

3. Unexpected family or work emergency. Life happens — and sometimes unfortunate events prevent you from leaving on a trip, or stops your travels mid-itinerary, preventing you from completing a planned vacation. If so, you could lose the money you invested on connecting flights, hotels and other prepaid travel expenses. Again, this is where the right travel protection plan can come in handy, with reimbursement for non-refundable deposits and other expenses — just be sure you research your options and select a travel insurance plan with trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

The benefits of travel protection plans

Wondering how trip protection might help in a pinch — or in a big crisis? Here are the benefits to watch out for when shopping for a travel protection plan:

Trip cancellation and interruption coverage

This benefit is your safety net, reimbursing non-refundable expenses if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to covered reasons, such as illness, injury, severe weather or natural disasters. It’s the extra back up you need, knowing you may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket for prepaid travel arrangements if you have to change or cancel your plans.

Baggage loss and delay coverage

Losing track of your belongings can be a terrible feeling. In the event of loss, damage, or delay by the airline, you at least will be reimbursed for essential items you may need to purchase while waiting for your luggage to catch up with you. If the worst case scenario happens and it never shows up, you can get reimbursement for your valuables.

Emergency assistance services

The best travel protection plans include emergency assistance services, providing 24/7 access to a team of experts who can help in a travel emergency, if you lose documents, or other urgent situations that can happen during a trip. No matter where you are in the U.S., this support ensures offers on-demand guidance, just a call away.

Optional add-ons for enhanced coverage:

Many travel protection plans offer ways to customize coverage based on your vacation plans. For instance, these add-ons may include coverage for rental car damage or for valuable sporting gear. By choosing the right add-ons, you can ensure that you have the protection you need for your specific needs.

What’s the advantage of choosing SafeTrip travel protection?

If you’re considering purchasing coverage for your next U.S. trip, you probably already understand the confidence and financial protection a travel protection plan can offer. However, be sure to look for a plan such as SafeTrip Travel Protection, which includes a comprehensive offering of all the backup you’d want on your side: Travel insurance benefits that help in case of interruptions, delays and cancellations, baggage loss and delay coverage, and additional elements specifically tailored for domestic travel.

Once you’ve chosen the plan that best covers your trip, you can focus on exploring the incredible diversity of sights, sounds and cultural experiences across the melting pot that is the United States — without missing a moment to worry.