Is Travel Insurance Worth It? When Trips Go Wrong

From cancelled flights to medical emergencies, real-life travel disruptions that show why coverage matters

Travel insurance is often one of the most overlooked parts of trip planning, yet it can be one of the most important. Many travellers ask whether travel insurance is worth it, especially if they have never experienced a major disruption. This blog explores real-life situations where travel plans do not go as expected, including cancelled flights, lost luggage, medical emergencies outside Canada, and unexpected trip cancellations. Designed for Canadian travellers, it explains how travel insurance can help protect your finances, your health, and your peace of mind when the unexpected happens while travelling.

When Your Flight Is Cancelled or Delayed

Flight disruptions are one of the most common travel issues travellers face today. Weather, mechanical problems, crew availability, and air traffic delays can affect even the most carefully planned itinerary.

A cancelled or significantly delayed flight can result in unexpected hotel stays, added meal expenses, missed connections, and prepaid tours or excursions that you can no longer attend. These costs add up quickly, especially when changes happen at the last minute.

Travel insurance that includes trip delay or interruption coverage can help reimburse eligible expenses and reduce the financial impact. Instead of focusing on unexpected costs, travellers can concentrate on getting their plans back on track.

Lost or Delayed Luggage Happens More Often Than You Think

Standing at the luggage carousel waiting for a suitcase that never arrives is frustrating and stressful. Lost or delayed baggage is particularly common on trips involving multiple flights or tight connections.

When luggage is delayed, travel insurance can help cover the cost of essential items such as clothing and toiletries while you wait. This allows travellers to continue their trip comfortably instead of spending valuable vacation time and money replacing necessities.

A Medical Emergency Outside Canada

This is the scenario no one wants to experience, yet it is the most important one to plan for.

Outside Canada, provincial health plans provide very limited coverage, if any. Many hospitals and clinics require payment upfront before treatment is provided. Emergency room visits, hospital stays, diagnostic tests, ambulance services, and medical evacuation can quickly reach tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Travel medical insurance provides coverage for eligible medical emergencies and access to 24 hour assistance services. These services help coordinate care, communicate with medical providers, and support travellers during what can be an overwhelming experience in a foreign country.

When You Have to Cancel Before You Even Leave

Not all travel disruptions happen during the trip itself. Sometimes plans change before departure.

Illness, injury, family emergencies, or unexpected work obligations can force travellers to cancel after deposits or final payments have been made. Without travel insurance, these costs are often non refundable.

Trip cancellation coverage can help protect prepaid travel expenses when life circumstances change unexpectedly, reducing the financial impact of cancelling a trip you were looking forward to.

Natural Disasters and Large-Scale Travel Disruptions

Severe weather events, wildfires, and other large-scale disruptions are becoming more frequent and can affect travel plans with little warning. Even the most organised itinerary can be impacted by circumstances beyond anyone’s control.

Depending on the policy, travel insurance may provide coverage for trip interruption or delays related to these events, along with access to assistance services when reliable information is difficult to find.

Peace of Mind Is Part of the Value

One of the most overlooked benefits of travel insurance is peace of mind.

Knowing you have support if something goes wrong allows you to enjoy your trip more fully. Instead of worrying about worst case scenarios, you can focus on the experience itself, confident that help is available if you need it.

That reassurance is often what travellers appreciate most after the trip is over.

A Note About Manulife Travel Insurance

For Canadian travellers, travel insurance is an essential part of responsible trip planning.

I am certified in Ontario to sell Manulife travel insurance, one of Canada’s most established and trusted insurance providers. Manulife offers a range of coverage options, including emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, and protection for delays or lost baggage, depending on the policy selected.

Coverage can be tailored for single trips, annual plans, cruises, group tours, and longer journeys. Quotes are based on your specific trip details and personal needs, helping ensure you are not paying for coverage you do not need.

Travel insurance is not about expecting something to go wrong. It is about knowing you are supported if it does.

If you are planning an upcoming trip and would like a no obligation quote or a conversation about what coverage may be appropriate for you, I am happy to help.

You can reach me by email at lisa.watson@onvigo.com or by phone at 613‑530‑6270.