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Hey, hey friend—welcome back.
This is one of those posts that I wish I didn’t have to write… but also one that I’m incredibly grateful I can.
Because this isn’t theory.
This isn’t “best practices.”
This is real life.
And it might just save you (or your client) tens of thousands of dollars… and a whole lot of stress.
The Worst Trip We’ve Ever Taken
Let’s start here.
I recently went on what was supposed to be a fun birthday cruise. We drove from Ohio to New Orleans, got on the ship, had an amazing first couple of days…
And then everything changed.
My dad fell on the cruise ship.
He broke his leg and wrist—and within hours, we were dealing with:
- Emergency medical care onboard
- Being transported off the ship in Mexico
- A medical evacuation flight to Florida
- Emergency surgery
- Thousands of dollars in immediate expenses
And oh yeah… I also:
- Got COVID
- Got bit by a brown recluse spider
- Had two credit cards hacked
Because apparently, when it rains, it pours.
The $20,000+ Moment That Made It All Real
Here’s the part I need you to really hear:
👉 The emergency medical flight alone was over $20,000.
And we didn’t have to pay it upfront.
Why?
Travel insurance.
The insurance company arranged it.
They approved it.
They handled it.
Without it?
We would’ve been figuring out how to pay that ourselves.
Let that sink in for a second.
Even WITH Insurance… There Are Lessons
Now here’s where I keep it real with you (because you know I will):
Even with insurance, this was NOT simple.
We still had to:
- Pay $5,800 upfront for onboard medical care
- Submit claims and paperwork
- Navigate primary vs. secondary insurance
- Track receipts, documentation, and timelines
Travel insurance is not a magic wand.
But it is the difference between:
👉 A stressful situation
vs.
👉 A financial disaster
What Travel Insurance Actually Covers (In Plain English)
If you’re a traveler OR a travel advisor, here’s how I explain it simply:
Most solid policies can include:
✔️ Trip Cancellation (before you go)
✔️ Trip Interruption (once you’re traveling)
✔️ Medical Emergencies Abroad
✔️ Emergency Evacuation (THIS is the big one)
✔️ Lost or Delayed Luggage
✔️ Travel Delays (hotels, meals, etc.)
And then there’s the upgrade:
✨ Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR)
— but you usually have to purchase this within 24–48 hours of booking
Annual vs. Single Trip Insurance (What I Learned)
I personally carry an annual plan—and I still will.
But here’s what I learned:
- Annual plans often have coverage caps (mine was around $5,000 for trip costs)
- Single-trip policies (like cruise insurance) may cover 100% of the trip cost
- Emergency evacuation coverage varies wildly (mine was $500K vs. $50K on another plan)
👉 Translation: Not all insurance is created equal.
“But My Credit Card Has Insurance…”
I hear this ALL the time.
And listen—I’m not here to argue.
But I am here to educate.
Most credit card coverage:
- Is very limited
- Often does NOT include medical
- Requires you to book everything on that card
- Is reimbursement-based (you pay first)
- Has a TON of fine print
So yes—it’s a perk.
But no—it’s not full protection.
The Travel Advisor Reality Check
If you’re a travel advisor reading this… this is your moment.
Because here’s the truth:
👉 When something goes wrong, your client is calling YOU.
Not the airline.
Not the cruise line.
Not the insurance company.
You.
So the real question becomes:
Did you protect them… or not?
What You MUST Do As a Travel Advisor
Let me be very clear here:
If your client declines insurance, you need to:
✔️ Offer it clearly
✔️ Explain it professionally
✔️ Document the decline
✔️ Get it signed
No exceptions.
Because if something happens?
That paper trail protects your business.
How to Position Travel Insurance (Without Feeling Salesy)
Stop saying:
“Do you want insurance?”
Start saying:
👉 “I highly recommend protecting your trip. I can send you a couple options—do you prefer basic coverage or something more comprehensive?”
See the difference?
You’re not selling.
You’re leading.
The Bottom Line
Travel insurance is not sexy.
It’s not fun.
But it is one of the most important parts of your trip.
Because when things go wrong—and sometimes they do—
It’s the difference between:
✨ Being taken care of
or
đź’¸ Being completely on your own
Final Thoughts (From Someone Who’s Lived It)
I’ve traveled hundreds of times.
This was the first time something this serious happened.
And I am SO grateful we were protected.
Because without it?
This story would look very, very different.
Your Next Step
If you’re a traveler:
👉 Don’t skip the insurance.
If you’re a travel advisor:
👉 Make this part of your standard process—not an afterthought.
And friend…
We don’t just book trips over here.
We build smart, protected, profitable travel experiences ✨
If you want more systems, scripts, and strategies to grow your travel business:
👉 Come hang out in my world.
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Because this is the kind of lesson you only want to learn once.
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