For many of us, the Covid-19 pandemic has not dimmed our desire to travel. If you are one of the many Americans who wants to travel despite the ongoing pandemic, you are not alone. As the pandemic waxes and wanes, it has been difficult to know how to travel safely. Frequently changing travel rules, both in and outside the United States, have made travel especially complicated. The good news for those who want to travel is that you can take steps to increase the likelihood of smooth travel and to protect your investment should you need to cancel your trip.
Travel Insurance
One of the best things you can do when you book a trip is to purchase travel insurance. Many trips are booked well in advance, which can make it difficult to know if travel rules and requirements will change and prevent you from going on your long-awaited vacation. Add to this uncertainty the impossibility of knowing when you might become too ill to travel and trying to book a trip can seem overwhelming.
If you find you’re booking a pricey trip, consider purchasing travel insurance. Travel issuance is beneficial for travelers for several reasons. First, you can choose a travel insurance policy that will allow you to cancel your trip and receive at least a partial refund, or possibly a full refund. When considering travel insurance plans, look at the cancellation policies and pay attention to the rules regarding cancellations. Many policies cover cancellations for specific enumerated reasons only and may not reimburse you if you cancel for the wrong reason. A way to work around this is to buy a policy that includes “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage. This will allow you to cancel your trip for any reason and receive at least some of your money back. How much money you get back will depend on your insurance plan.
Another benefit of purchasing travel insurance is that if you fall ill while travelling, your insurance plan can help pay for any medical care, evacuation, and transportation that you require. Be sure to read the fine print for any plan you are considering purchasing so you know what is covered, what is not covered, and how much money the insurance company will pay out for a claim. If you have questions, a good travel agent should be able to advise you on your travel insurance needs, including how much coverage to get and what types of coverage to have.
If you want to purchase travel insurance, be sure to shop around and pay attention to the fine print of what is covered and what is not covered. This can help you avoid surprises down the road and help you make an informed purchase that will meet your needs. With some policies, if you purchase the policy within a certain time period after booking the trip, the policy will waive preexisting conditions. To take advantage of this, look into purchasing insurance soon after booking your trip so you do not miss this window.
Consider Alternative Travel Options
If the thought of travel seems overwhelming right now, consider staying in the United States and visiting a destination closer to home. Travelling within the United States will help you avoid dealing with border closures and multiple countries’ restrictions and rules. For those looking to stay close to home, California has many wonderful destinations that are accessible without having to get on an airplane. In addition to staying closer to home, many California destinations offer opportunities to be outdoors, where the risk of catching Covid is lower. If you are worried about catching Covid, pick a destination within driving distance and with outdoor activities.
Understand Travel Rules and Restrictions
During the pandemic, countries have made frequent and sometimes abrupt changes to their travel rules. Keeping this in mind, it is important to check the rules for your destination and the United States often to ensure that you comply with all requirements. Many countries have quarantine, vaccination, and testing requirements and you want to make sure that you can comply with any rules. Here are some resources to stay abreast of different countries’ rules and restrictions:
Check out the CDC’s travel page
Click here to view Covid-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination
Check out the State Department’s travel advice page