Page 6 - The Magazine of AAA Ohio Auto Club – November 2021

More Travelers Considering Travel Insurance
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on Americans’ travel plans. How they plan – and protect – those trips also has changed.
According to a recent AAA Travel survey, more than half (55%) of American adults are planning a vacation of at least one overnight stay before the end of next year and those travelers are increasingly turning to travel insurance to protect their vacation investments.
About one-third (31%) of U.S. travelers say they are more likely to purchase travel insurance for their trips planned between now and the end of 2022, specifically because of the pandemic.
“Travel insurance is relatively inexpensive for the large amount of peace of mind it affords, and that’s more valuable than ever in light of the pandemic,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president, AAA Travel. “Americans have seen how important travel insurance is to protect their vacation investment and are prioritizing this purchase at the start, now more than ever.”
Recent AAA Travel bookings have increased 11% above 2019 levels and interest in travel insurance has increased in turn. AAA’s travel insurance sales have increased more than double digits year-over-year.
The Ins and Outs of Travel Insurance
The ability to cancel a trip and get a refund is by far the most frequently cited benefit of travel insurance, with 69% of travelers saying this is most important to them when considering travel insurance for an upcoming trip.
Record Number of Members Opting for Digital Roadside Request
Did you know that you can request emergency roadside assistance using AAA.com or on the AAA Mobile app? More than 14% of emergency roadside service calls came through AAA’s Digital Roadside Request option last July. More than
1.5 million roadside service requests have come in through DRR year-to-date.
AAA advises these travelers to look into travel insurance policies that include a “cancel for any reason” component, which could offer more flexibility and protection in the event a traveler needs to cancel
their trip.
While travel insurance policies have historically
not covered epidemics or pandemics, in response to shifting consumer expectations, some providers have started to introduce plans that cover some losses due to COVID-19 or other epidemic diseases. AAA recommends travelers consult the expertise of a knowledgeable travel agent to help plan their trips and evaluate the various travel insurance options available on the market.
Also, it’s important to note that some international destinations may require visitors to carry travel insurance to help cover any unexpected medical costs that may be incurred while visiting. A knowledgeable travel agent can help travelers navigate these and other evolving travel requirements.
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