Travel Mishaps You Never Thought Could Happen to You

August 4, 2022

Travel Mishaps That Can Surprise Even the Most Experienced Vacationer

Travel mishaps are, unfortunately, an all too common element of an international vacation. The truth is that anything can happen during even the most simple international trip, and how you plan for these events can change everything. For years, travelers have purchased travel insurance to address their concerns, selecting policies that have millions of dollars of medical coverage but only address very specific emergencies. Travel mishaps can happen to anyone but are sometimes left unaddressed by traditional travel insurance policies.

International travel comes with many risks that are often overlooked by the most common travel insurance policies. The everyday consumer has historically purchased travel insurance without taking a close read of the fine print, creating many challenges when making a claim for benefits. Some of the travel mishaps that are the least expected can happen, and the burden remains on the customer.

Top Four Most Overlooked Travel Mishaps Every Tourist Should Know

These are the top travel mishaps that many vacationers tend to think could never happen to them.

1) Requiring Emergency Transportation Home

Many tourists never think about how they would get home should they be hospitalized during their trip. Travel insurance plays an important role here, offering multi-million-dollar policies that can save travelers the costs of hospitalization abroad. But what happens if you are required to return home for a full recovery? Traveling when injured or sick is no simple task; depending on the nature of your injury, you could need a flight nurse or a specialized air ambulance to return you home.

Many airlines have policies that do not allow an injured person to travel on a commercial flight home, and your travel insurance provider may not be willing to cover the costs of a private flight. While you may not think it will happen to you, certain emergencies may require you to return home to receive appropriate care.

2) Experiencing Political Unrest

Political uprisings and protests can happen with very little notice and bring an abrupt halt to your vacation. The world remains in a place of political uncertainty, and local demonstrations, for whatever reason, can happen in a matter of minutes and result in the need for you to shelter in place and require emergency arrangements to ensure your safe return home.

More importantly, experiencing a political or war-related travel mishap can void your travel insurance policy altogether. Take every step necessary to ensure your safe movements across the world and explore offerings that speak to the unpredictable nature of international travel.

3) Being Victim of a Violent Assault

Many vacationers head into their trip thinking they have the street smarts to avoid common scams such as muggings or other violent confrontations. But the unfortunate can always happen, especially when traveling to exotic locations where criminals target foreigners. One wrong turn can lead you to an unsafe neighborhood, putting you and your loved ones in a dangerous position.

When alcohol is involved in your trip, the chances of a violent assault increase dramatically. Conflict is a real possibility if a tourist is unfamiliar with local customs, including public displays of affection. This is especially relevant to same-sex couples and members of the LGBTQ+ community who can, unfortunately, fall victim to violent conflict during travel.

4) Injuries Resulting from Interactions with Exotic Animals

The most overlooked travel mishap deals with animals. Many sunshine destinations allow for photo ops with exotic birds, monkeys, or other animals that appear to be calm and approachable. These friendly animals can turn violent quickly, making a happy moment a serious travel mishap.

While you may think these animals could never hurt anyone, it is very common for travelers to get hurt or bitten and require hospitalization. Consider skipping the opportunity to take a photo with an exotic animal and appreciate wildlife from a safe distance.

Travel Mishaps Addressed by the CAP Travel Assistance Plan

Explore a travel product that can respond to mishaps of all kinds, especially ones you think could never happen to you. FocusPoint’s flagship product, CAP Travel Assistance Plan, works to address the unexpected, actively filling in the gaps of traditional travel insurance policies.

FocusPoint International’s CAP Travel Assistance Plan comes with a robust CAP Advantage mobile app that includes destination-based health, safety, and security intelligence, COVID-19-specific information, a one-touch assistance button, and much more.

The CAP Plan offers unlimited 24/7 advice for a long list of travel mishaps often overlooked by traditional travel insurance, including COVID quarantine cost coverage. It also provides a fully-funded response to incidents of riots, strikes, civil commotion, and natural disasters, with medical evacuation to a home hospital of choice, should you suffer from a medical mishap resulting in hospitalization.

Contact us directly to learn more about available products that speak to the needs of international vacationers.