by Brenda Murray

Is travel insurance really necessary? First let's define what we mean by travel insurance because it's a term we use to mean several things.

Cancellation insurance is offered by all airlines when you book a flight. Depending on what level of cancellation insurance you choose, you may be able to cancel your flight and rebook at a later date with no penalty or with a small cancellation fee if you become ill at the last minute. You can arrange this kind of insurance at the time you book your flight.

Trip cancellation insurance is also strongly recommended for the same reason. If you are unable to attend a workshop due to illness or family emergency and you have insurance you may be able to get a refund from the insurance company. You will find a comprehensive list of trip cancellation companies HERE.

Travel Medical Insurance is also strongly recommended because things happen when you travel. They just do. Why? For one thing because you are in a foreign country and unexpected things happen. In my case, I have seen a doctor in Thailand after getting stung by a jellyfish, I saw a doctor in Spain after getting food poisoning in Morocco, I saw a doctor in Uganda when I had a weird reaction to the anti-Malaria meds, I took my son to a doctor in Singapore because he arrived with an ear infection, and I've taken my daughter to a doctor in Seoul when she contracted measles. I've also had people on my workshops trip and break an arm, contract covid and suffer from an attack of heart arrhythmia. Stuff happens when we travel. So we very strongly recommend that you arrange for travel medical insurance before you leave home.