Spring break is quickly approaching for most students and parents in Anchorage, Alaska. Many families plan on taking advantage of the time off by travelling to a warm beach, an exotic island, or other popular travel destination, both in the U.S. and abroad.
As much as we all anticipate our vacation time, planning grand adventures (or simply leisurely days by the pool), life sometimes throws us a curveball. In an unfortunate turn of events, you may be injured shortly before your trip departure, leaving you grounded at home in Alaska.
As an Anchorage personal injury attorney, I am often asked about circumstances similar to these. Clients come to me wondering, “What can I do if I’m hurt and I have to cancel my trip? What if I don’t have travel insurance? Can I get my money back?”
To help answer these tough questions, I recently came upon a post from Rick Steves, the well-known travel show host. Rick gives some helpful tips on trip cancellation, travel insurance, and what to do if you have to cancel your trip (due to injury or other unpredictable circumstances).
According to Rick, travel insurance coverage can minimize the considerable financial risks of travelling, such as accidents, illness, missed flights, cancelled tours, lost baggage, theft, terrorism, travel-company bankruptcies, emergency evacuation, and even the charges of returning your body home if you are killed.
For some Alaskan travellers, travel insurance is a good idea. For others, the risks may not outweigh the costs.
Rick seems to believe that trip-cancellation or interruption insurance is of the greatest benefit (and is typically the one that is used the most). In regard to personal injury, a standard trip-cancellation or interruption insurance policy will cover the nonrefundable financial penalties or losses you incur when you cancel a prepaid tour or flight, such as when you, your travel partner, or a family member suddenly is not being able to travel because of injury, sickness, death, or a list of other acceptable reasons.
If your trip is a low-cost venture, you may not want to spend the extra money to buy travel insurance, but you run the risk of losing that small sum should you have to cancel because of injury.
If you have more questions about travel insurance and how a personal injury could suddenly affect your financial circumstances, contact an experienced Anchorage personal injury attorney today.
Photo Credit: Kanaka Menehune via Compfight cc
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