View from the top of a skyscraper in Mexico City.
Dave Paisley will be in Mexico City for a month this fall for a Spanish immersion program, but he doesn’t want to take any chances and needs travel insurance.
“My main concern is hospitalizations and safety,” said Paisley, a former executive from Seattle. “So there are a few things we’re looking at.”
Travelers like him have been doing a lot of research lately. This fall is shaping up to be an interesting one for travelers. Coming on the heels of a record-breaking summer for North American travel, this fall will bring challenges unlike any we’ve ever experienced before.
“This fall is a special one,” says Anna Redmond, founder of security consultancy Blurb. “We have two major conflicts — Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the conflict between Hamas and Israel — that are creating a lot of instability and spilling over into Europe and the Middle East. On top of that, we have an election in the US this year that’s going to be very competitive, so that may put even more emphasis on travelers from the US.”
Add to that the usual problems of hurricanes, a resurgence of COVID-19 cases and the start of flu season, and you have all the ingredients for a fall travel disaster worthy of a “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” sequel.
Fall shaping up to be “very busy” for travel
None of this is likely to deter people from traveling. Record summer travel is expected to continue into the fall, according to sales data from TravelInsurance.com. Travel insurance purchases for trips in October and November are up about 20 percent overall. But popular destinations like France and Greece are up almost 50 percent, and Spain is up more than 68 percent.
“Travelers should prepare for busy travel season this fall,” said Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com.
And according to Squaremouth.com, travel costs are soaring this fall, with the average cost of a trip rising by more than 50% in one year, from $4,325 in fall 2023 to a whopping $8,898 this fall. (A popular destination among Squaremouth’s customers is Italy, with 14% of travelers heading there this fall, up from 8% a year ago.)
“When planning your fall getaway, it’s important to choose comprehensive travel insurance that covers you for a variety of potential issues,” says Deanna Caffrey, director of Redpoint Resolutions. “We recommend insurance that includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical emergency and evacuation coverage. With ongoing unpredictable weather and global health concerns, it’s crucial to have insurance that covers you for the unexpected.”
What travelers are doing to stay safe during fall travel
Paisley, the former executive headed to Mexico, said he was mainly worried about getting sick or injured.
“I read that there’s a traffic fatality every seven hours, and that the drivers there are a bit crazy,” he said. “Plus I’m worried about getting sick from unfamiliar food, water and viruses, being so far from home.”
He is considering standard travel insurance, which is valid for 30 days and covers medical expenses of at least $50,000.
“At the moment I’m considering either Allianz insurance or Trawick insurance, which a friend recommended to me,” he says.
He’s worried about being trapped in a Mexican hospital, and all the policies he’s considered include medical evacuation, but only to the nearest acceptable hospital.
“I don’t know if there’s anything there that’s acceptable to me, especially if it’s something serious,” he says.
So Paisley also opted to become a Medgett Horizon member, which would cover her if she needed to be transferred to a hospital in the U.S. It also offers safety benefits: “If I get kidnapped or go missing, my kids have someone they can call to help them.”
But for those traveling this fall, there’s a lot more to consider.
What do you need to know if you’re traveling this fall?
So, if you’re planning a trip in September, October, or November, what do you need to know? Here’s what the experts say:
Hurricane season likely to be active
For fall travel throughout the Caribbean, or even domestically (especially to the southern United States), it is important to remember that the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season occurs in the fall, causing weather-related travel delays and disruptions.
“For 2024 specifically, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting above-normal hurricane activity at all levels,” said Scott Adamski, global product development director at Travel Guard. “We’re expecting an active hurricane season, having already experienced a Category 5 hurricane with Beryl earlier this year.”
Pro TipYou’ll want to make sure your travel insurance adequately covers delays and disruptions. If you’re not sure what coverage you need, consider a policy that covers you for any reason you cancel, which will pay you 50 to 75 percent of your prepaid, non-refundable costs if you cancel for any reason.
Airline staffing shortages remain a problem
Another issue that could affect fall travel is airline staffing shortages. Jason Block, CEO of World Travel Group, said that while some airlines are dealing with staffing shortages, the industry is still recovering from pandemic-related layoffs.
Even more troubling are new passenger protection measures that came into force this summer.
“Recent regulations requiring airlines to automatically refund passengers in the event of cancellations may motivate airlines to be more cautious, leading to more preemptive cancellations,” he said. “Given all this uncertainty, it becomes even more important to purchase travel insurance to protect yourself against potential trip interruptions and financial losses.”
Flu season is approaching
Even if you can avoid bad weather or a plane accident or two, health issues are always a concern, and Jeremy Murchland, president of Seven Corners, always recommends travel insurance for international trips, as domestic medical insurance may not cover you abroad.
“It’s important to remember that travel insurance isn’t just for serious medical emergencies,” he adds. “It can also help treat seasonal illnesses. Whether it’s the flu or a particularly bad cold, you might need to see a doctor while abroad. Not only can travel insurance cover the cost of that appointment and any necessary medications, but a good insurer can also help you find a doctor and navigate an unfamiliar healthcare system.”
This may seem like a minor issue, but Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance, said these illnesses are a leading cause of trip cancellations and interruptions.
His advice? “Check with your health insurance company to see if your current health insurance already covers you,” he says. “Medicare doesn’t provide insurance for international travelers, but many U.S. insurance companies do.”
But how do you buy insurance for fall travel, and do you really need insurance for every trip?
Investigate carefully, but don’t wait too long
Travel insurance primarily covers cancellation, loss, delay, medical expenses and necessary assistance.
“Before relying on any insurance, whether it’s credit card travel benefits or insurance offered by a cruise line, be sure to read the policy carefully to make sure it adequately covers your trip,” advises Beth Godlin, president of Aon Affinity Travel Practice. “Each policy will have different benefits, exclusions and limitations, so you want to avoid surprises when it comes time to file a claim.”
If you are traveling to a place that is covered by medical insurance and does not require a large upfront payment, you can get away with not buying insurance. Experts also say that your insurance choice should be based on reason, not panic.
“Overinsurance is the biggest mistake many travelers make, as it means they end up paying for items that are already covered,” said Mahmood Khan, a professor of hospitality and tourism at Virginia Tech.
For example, many credit cards offer limited insurance against cancellations, delays, and losses. Similarly, some employers offer adequate medical and travel insurance. Check these policies before booking your fall trip, rather than rushing to get insurance after you’ve booked your tickets and hotel.
“Purchasing travel insurance right after booking your flight and hotel not only checks off an item on your to-do list, it also gives you peace of mind,” says Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA.
