LivingTravelWhy Travel Insurance Is A Must For Adventure Travelers

Why Travel Insurance Is A Must For Adventure Travelers

Many people do not want to buy travel insurance because they think it is an unnecessary expense, and the trip is already quite expensive, but when it comes to those great exciting trips, it can have surprisingly large benefits. The right policy can not only protect you from lost luggage, missed flights, or even trip cancellation, it can also pay for medical expenses or unexpected emergencies like evacuating problem areas should it be necessary. Those aren’t things that most travelers necessarily worry about, but if you’re embarking on a journey that involves one of the big three R’s of travel: risk, remoteness, and rescue, maybe you should think seriously about it.

 

One of the best travel insurance providers is a company called Ripcord, which has a group of highly trained professionals. The company also offers competitive pricing, and the coverage generally includes things that most other companies don’t have. For example, Ripcord will ensure climbers exceed 5,000 meters (16,404 feet), which is important if you are considering doing something like hiking Kilimanjaro or even planning an expedition to Mt. Everest.

Ripcord also has a proven track record of supporting its clients, even in some extremely difficult and dangerous situations. Evacuating customers from Kilimanjaro is just one of the things the provider can really claim, but the company’s Facebook page contains a constant stream of examples of how Ripcord has helped its customers.

For example, a traveler was visiting Costa Rica recently when he decided to get out of an SUV. While riding downhill, he hit the brakes too fast and ended up flying over the handlebars, ending up on the ground in a heap. The traveler thought he would be fine and after taking some time to rest and recover, he continued with the rest of his journey. However, once he returned to his hotel, he began to be in severe pain, and upon checking into a local hospital, he discovered that he had broken three ribs.

Ripcord not only spoke with the traveler’s doctors about helping to treat his injuries, but also consulted with his client about the correct type of medications to take once he returns home. Most other travel insurance companies would simply have checked to see if their client was okay, cut a check for medical expenses, and move on to the next case. Ripcord, on the other hand, took steps to make sure its client was in good hands and well cared for.

An ATV accident is not an uncommon incident, but even in the most unusual circumstances, you may find that having travel insurance is a worthy investment. For example, another Ripcord client was on safari in the Central African Republic with his guide, when the two were attacked by members of the Lord’s Resistance Army, the same guerrilla organization led by the famous Ugandan rebel Joseph Kony. Fortunately, both men were able to escape with their lives and upon reaching a safe area, the client contacted Ripcord and was soon evacuated from this very dangerous area.

 

Ripcord’s highly trained staff also drew up a rescue plan for a 22-year-old client who was traveling to Turkey during an attempted coup against President Recep Erdogan. The young woman was visiting a quiet part of the country that was far from the fighting, but there was a general fear that the violence could escalate and potentially close exit routes for those seeking to leave. A plan was formed to send a ground team to evacuate the traveler and her friends, but fortunately she never had to take action because the disturbances subsided soon after and the woman was able to safely leave alone.

 

Finally, another client had a more typical reason for using Ripcord that most of us can relate to more easily than dodging bullets and avoiding hit attempts. A 60-year-old client had to cancel his trip to Africa because he had to undergo knee surgery. Since he had already bought a plane ticket to Johannesburg and deposited a deposit on the trip, you can imagine how disappointed he was to find that he would not be able to go. However, the safari operator arranged to reimburse parts of the trip and Ripcord took care of the rest.

This meant that the man ended up paying nothing, and now it will be more likely that he can afford to return once he is on his feet.

Ripcord is one of the many providers, of course, that offers this type of service, and with a little research, you should be able to find others that are just as reliable. The important thing to remember is that these are real examples of how travel insurance could end up not only saving you money but potentially saving your life as well. Sure, it’s an added cost for what is probably already an expensive vacation, but the peace of mind and security it brings may more than make up for it in the end.

So, as the old slogan goes, the next time you’re planning a big trip – just like your passport, credit cards, or a pile of traveler’s checks – don’t leave home without it.

Find more at RipcordRescueTravelInsurance.com.

Gear review: the Adidas Wandertag jacket

When I shop for the right clothes to accompany me on my travels, I usually look for some very specific qualities. I want equipment that is lightweight, highly

Q&A with Contiki CEO Casper Urhammer

Have you ever wondered what it's like to run a global tourism business? We did it. So, we sat down with Casper Urhammer, CEO of Contiki

How to plan a personalized family bike tour

Do you have a family of cyclists looking forward to exploring the world or are you looking for an active adventure to excite the whole youngster? Here we show you how

Celebrate the Centennial of the National Park in Alaska

Alaska is home to some of the largest national parks in the country and, as our nation's national parks celebrate 100 years of

How to make a luxury safari in Africa more affordable

Luxury safaris in Africa are not cheap, but if you are looking for expert guides, excellent accommodation, good food and comfort, then the price

More