Surprising insurance policies you need now
Paying an insurance bill each month can often feel unrewarding. In exchange for a monthly fee to a provider, you're protected should an accident or illness arise in the future. But, if nothing happens, the money you spent is gone with very little to show for it.
This doesn't mean insurance isn't valuable (it is). And it's often mandatory anyway.
But if you're looking for an insurance type that's both cost-effective and reliable, there are two surprising ones to consider now: pet insurance and travel insurance.
Surprising insurance policies you need now
Pet insurance and travel insurance are both valuable to have. Here's what you need to know now.
Pet insurance
Around 4.4 million pets were insured in North America in 2021, according to North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) data. Compare that to the 70% of U.S. households that have a pet (according to the 2021-2022 National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Association) and you can quickly see the gap between the insured and uninsured.
But the benefits of pet insurance are vast. For a monthly fee (cheaper if paid annually) owners can rest assured knowing that their pet is protected should any illness or emergency arise.
Plus, it's flexible. Say you only want a baseline level of pet insurance to cover routine visits and maybe some annual shots. Then you can sign up for an insurance plan that does just that. And if you want a more robust plan that covers the above and additional items like surgical procedures and prescriptions then you can find a plan that covers those, too. If you want cheap pet insurance you can opt for an accident-only policy.
Bottom line: You can build a plan that works for your pet and your budget, so start today! Speak with a pet insurance expert now who can help you get started.
Travel insurance
With the holidays just weeks away it makes sense to get travel insurance now.
Think about how much you've already paid for your hotel, flights and any planned activities. Now imagine losing all of that money in case you (or someone you're traveling with) gets sick or has an accident.
It's not cost-effective to skip travel insurance, particularly during the pandemic when restrictions and illness are unpredictable. It's also not expensive (usually around 4% to 8% of your total trip cost).
It's especially important to have during the holiday season when travel costs are higher, the chances of lost luggage increase and flight delays and cancellations are frequent.
"Trip Cancellation is the main concern for most travelers. This benefit provides protection for the financial investment travelers make in their trips, offering coverage for all prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses. This can include any travel-related expenses, such as airline tickets, hotel accommodations, excursions, tours, and cruises," Squaremouth, a U.S.-based travel insurance comparison site, explains.
So speak with a travel insurance professional today and make sure you're insured for your next trip.
The bottom line
It's not fun to pay a bill for a service you hardly ever use. But both pet and travel insurance have a value that you may end up using immediately. Use the table below to start exploring your options now.
