Travel insurance is essential

Travel Insurance is ESSENTIAL – I learned that the hard way

Affiliate Disclosure

I was recently injured in a foreign country and I learned a difficult lesson. Do NOT travel without international travel insurance. An injury in a foreign country can be a physical and financial nightmare if you’re not properly covered.

The Dream Vacation That Turned Into a Financial Disaster

My husband and I recently traveled to the Bahamas to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. Everything was going great—until it wasn’t.

The Injury That Changed Everything

On our last day, we were set to go snorkeling. But as I tried to board the boat, I fell and fractured my ankle in three places—an excruciating injury. Fortunately, I was near a marina with an ambulance and hospital nearby (could have happened out on some little island) but that’s where the trouble really began.

Even though we had specific International travel insurance plus medical insurance, the hospital required cash upfront before they would set the bone. They simply wouldn’t take the risk of a denied claim. Without cash, I would have been left untreated or had be transported to a charity hospital with a much lower standard of care.

Emergency Expenses:

  • Ambulance fee: $3,000
  • ER visit: $7,000
  • Doctor’s fee: $3,500
  • Surgery in the Bahamas: $30,000 (which we declined in favor of returning to the U.S.)

With a broken ankle, it was a whole rodeo just to get me home safely. Thank God for the Delta flight crews who got me through 3 different airports and onto 2 different planes. Did you know you can order a wheelchair off Amazon with overnight delivery? My daughter-in-law had to assemble it and bring it to the airport to pick me up and then it took 3 adults to get me up the steps of our home.

Then once I was home, I had to have a walker, a larger wheelchair, safety ramps, a shower chair and grab bars, plus a makeshift restroom set-up. And I needed most of these immediately, so there was no chance to bargain.

Additional Costs:

  • Emergency accommodations & travel changes: $1,800
  • Wheelchair & medical equipment: $800+

Even with savings and credit cards, these expenses were a heavy burden. Without proper travel insurance, we would have been stuck in a difficult and financially devastating situation.

Then we came home to two major home repairs in the few days before my surgery, so at one point, we had no heat, no water, and guys with jackhammers tearing up my basement. These repairs brought another $40K worth of charges into the situation – when it rains, it pours, but this was a MONSOON!

Why You Must Have Comprehensive International Travel Insurance

Many travelers purchase the cheapest policy offered when booking their flight, but that’s not smart because it only covers the flight. You need your whole trip covered end to end, plus medical care for any emergency. Here’s why comprehensive travel insurance is a must:

  1. Medical Emergencies Can Cost Tens of Thousands – Hospital stays, surgeries, and medical transport can be outrageously expensive in foreign countries.
  2. Cash Payment is Often Required – Many hospitals abroad won’t treat you without upfront payment.
  3. Emergency Evacuations are Pricey – If you need to be airlifted home for treatment, expect a bill ranging from $20,000–$200,000.
  4. Trip Cancellations & Interruptions – A family emergency, illness, or injury can cause trip cancellations. Without insurance, you’ll lose all your non-refundable expenses.
  5. Lost Luggage & Travel Delays – These may not seem as critical, but they can add up quickly, especially if you lose necessary medications or essential items.

We learned this first-hand when my father-in-law passed away less than a week from our 25th Anniversary cruise. That trip was insured, so we would have had the option to cancel the whole trip with no penalty, but ultimately, we decided we needed the time away to grieve and relax.

The Best Travel Insurance Providers

While many companies offer coverage, I personally recommend:

These companies offer comprehensive plans that cover medical expenses, evacuations, trip cancellations, and more. Policies typically cost $150–$200 per trip, which is a small price to pay for peace of mind on a trip that might cost $5K-$10K.

Final Thoughts

Our story ended with a total of over $60,000 in expenses in just a few days. That’s tough on a retired couple or anyone, really. While we had savings and insurance, many travelers wouldn’t have been so lucky. If you’re planning a trip, make sure travel insurance is a non-negotiable part of your budget. It’s the best way to protect yourself from the unexpected—because when disaster strikes, the last thing you need is a financial catastrophe.

Don’t take the risk. Get insured.

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