As the great Thanksgiving travel exodus begins, millions of Britons are discovering that securing travel insurance, even at the eleventh hour, could be the wisest decision they make this holiday season. With projections indicating over six million people will take to the skies, the potential for widespread disruption has never been higher.
Why Last-Minute Coverage is Crucial
Jesse Neugarten, CEO of air travel specialist Dollar Flight Club, confirms that purchasing a policy remains a prudent step. "Even this close to Thanksgiving, it can absolutely be worth buying travel insurance," Neugarten advised. He pointed to a perfect storm of full flights, winter weather, and tight connections that can rapidly escalate a minor delay into a missed connection, an unexpected overnight stay, or lost luggage.
Chrissy Valdez, a senior director at the travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth, offers reassurance for those who have procrastinated. She clarified that comprehensive policies, including vital benefits like travel delay coverage and emergency medical protection, are typically available for purchase right up until the day of departure.
What Your Policy Can Still Cover
For travellers buying coverage now, a standard policy provides a crucial financial safety net for several common holiday travel nightmares. According to Squaremouth, key protections include:
- Trip Delay: Reimburses for extra expenses if your journey is delayed, often for six hours or more.
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption: Covers non-refundable costs if you must cancel or cut short your trip for approved reasons like severe weather or illness.
- Lost or Delayed Baggage: Provides compensation for essentials if your bags are significantly delayed or lost.
- Emergency Medical: Offers substantial protection, with many policies covering up to $250,000 for injuries sustained abroad.
Understanding the Limitations
However, experts caution that last-minute buyers must temper their expectations regarding certain enhanced coverages. Cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) protection is a notable exclusion. Melanie Musson, a Clearsurance.com insurance expert, explained that this add-on is difficult to secure immediately before travel, as insurers guard against clients purchasing coverage for losses they have already decided to incur.
Neugarten further clarified that policies will not cover voluntary changes, such as switching to a cheaper flight, or situations that were already known at the time of purchase, like a named storm. Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions is also typically unavailable without an early-purchase waiver.
On a positive note, Bree Spearman of Carpe Diem Getaways confirmed that procrastination does not lead to higher premiums. The cost is determined by factors like trip cost, traveller age, and trip length, not by how close to departure you buy. This means you can secure essential protections without a last-minute price penalty.
Ultimately, as Musson summarises, "The need for travel insurance doesn't lessen as you get closer to a trip." The most significant risks emerge after your journey has begun, making a last-minute policy a powerful tool for navigating the inevitable chaos of Thanksgiving travel.
