Summer is travel season in the Lehigh Valley, with families heading out from Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and everywhere in between. But whether you’re flying cross-country or just heading to the shore, it’s smart to know what your insurance covers before you go.
While travel insurance is a great option in many situations, you may already have more protection than you think—right in your existing policies. Let’s take a look at what coverage you might already have, where the gaps are, and when it makes sense to add a travel plan.
What Homeowners Insurance Covers While Traveling
Good news: your homeowners policy protects more than just your house. If you’re traveling, here are some situations where your existing coverage can help:
- Theft of personal items from a hotel, rental car, or even an airport (subject to your policy’s terms and deductibles)
- Liability coverage if you accidentally cause damage or injury to someone else while on a trip
Homeowners insurance usually offers some protection anywhere in the world—but coverage can vary, especially outside the U.S. or Canada. It’s always smart to check with your agent before traveling internationally.
What Your Homeowners Policy Won’t Cover
Here’s where travel insurance becomes valuable:
- Trip cancellations or interruptions due to illness, emergencies, or weather
- Emergency medical care abroad
- Lost luggage or delayed flights
- Travel delays and rebooking costs
Your homeowners policy doesn’t cover those types of travel hiccups, and your health insurance may not fully apply overseas either. That’s where travel insurance steps in.
What Travel Insurance Adds
A travel insurance plan can give you peace of mind by filling in the gaps. Most travel policies offer:
- Trip cancellation/interruption protection
- Emergency medical and evacuation coverage
- Baggage loss or delay
- Travel delay coverage
Many companies offer customizable plans, from basic to comprehensive. If you’re planning an extended trip, a cruise, or international travel, this added protection can be a smart move.
Before You Book: Review Your Policies
You might already have some of this coverage through homeowners, auto, or life insurance—and buying extra coverage you don’t need can be a waste of money. That’s why it’s worth reviewing your current policies and comparing them to what travel insurance offers.
For example:
- If you’re renting a car, your auto policy may provide liability coverage, but not physical damage unless you carry full coverage.
- If you rely on life insurance, make sure it’s a standalone policy and not just a small benefit inside a travel package.
- Your health insurance may cover international emergencies, but not routine care abroad.
Travel Smart, Travel Prepared
At YMI Insurance, we help clients across the Lehigh Valley understand their coverage and avoid surprises. Whether you’re leaving from Nazareth, Emmaus, or right here in Allentown or Stroudsburg, we can help you figure out what coverage you already have—and what you might still need.
📍 Taking a trip soon? Let’s review your policies together so you can travel with confidence.
