When traveling, it’s normal to take souvenirs home with you. But have you ever LEFT one? 

Well, I have. My APPENDIX! 

Back in 1987, I arrived in Vienna for a college semester abroad. I was full of excitement and determined to make the most of my overseas adventure. One of the first weekends, I planned to go to Dubrovnik, and I already had my Yugoslav visa.

Then I became violently ill.

I thought I had food poisoning. The medics who came to our house told me it was “girl problems.” But it was appendicitis. I had to get an emergency appendectomy and spend five days in the Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder! (This is where I learned the German words for “blood pressure” and “stool!”)

I didn’t even have insurance, but fortunately, it didn’t cost my family a fortune. I found out the hard way why travel insurance is so important. Ever since then, I don’t travel overseas without coverage. Especially as we get older, it’s just smart to have travel insurance in case of emergency.

hospital bed paid for with travel insurance

Travel Insurance for Individual Trips

When you’re taking a trip, it’s important to have insurance that covers not only health emergencies but also every aspect of you trip including flight delays or cancellations, lost luggage, lost passports, and even cruises (including non-refundable deposits).

We love the whole-trip travel insurance from Faye Travel Insurance. You can choose the policy coverage amount, then adjust it as you add expenses (especially non-refundable ones). There are add-ons for Cancel For Any Reason, Pre-Existing Conditions and Adventure Sports Protection. They have an app you can use to communicate with them during the trip. They track your flights and will get notified when, for example, your luggage doesn’t make it to your destination. They will immediately add funds to the app’s wallet for necessities, then assist you in getting your luggage back.

Faye Travel Insurance (See What’s Covered)

Coverage for your health

  • COVID-19 in-trip coverage:
    Emergency medical expenses and trip interruption expenses if you become ill with COVID-19 in-trip and need to stay longer, or leave earlier than expected.
  • Emergency accident & sickness medical expenses:
    Up to $250K is covered, offered on a primary basis, which means we will be the first to reimburse.
  • Emergency medical evacuation expenses:
    Up to $500K

Coverage for your trip

  • Trip cancellation: Pre-departure coverage per trip if your trip is canceled for covered reasons.
    We’ll cover up to $4,000, which is 100% of your non-refundable trip costs, up to your policy limit, for the insured group.
  • Trip interruption: When you must unexpectedly cut your trip short or extend it.
    We cover up to $6,000, which is 150% of your policy limit’s non-refundable trip costs, including unused trip costs & additional transportation expenses, for the insured group.
  • Trip delay: When you’re stranded in transit due to reasons outside of your control.
    We reimburse up to $300/day in expenses if you’re delayed 6 hours or more (capped at $2.1K) and if there’s a flight delay, you’ll get an additional $200.
  • Trip inconvenience:
    Up to $200 for each covered trip inconvenience you experience, capped at $600.
  • Pre-existing medical conditions:
    Are covered as long as you purchase your plan within 14-days of making your initial trip deposit and are medically able to travel when you purchase.
  • Missed trip connection:
    Up to $200 if your delay of 3 hours or more causes you to miss your connection.
  • Non-medical emergency evacuation:
    Up to $100K

Coverage for your stuff

  • Lost or damaged baggage:
    Up to $2K (capped at $150 per item)
  • Lost or damaged sporting and professional equipment:
    Up to $2K (capped at $150/item)
  • Lost passport or credit cards:
    Reimbursement of $50 for each
  • Baggage delay:
    Receive $200 if your bags are delayed for 6 hours or more without a receipt and up to an additional $300 if it’s been 12 hours or more and you have a receipt

➡️ Get a quote on travel insurance today!

Coverage for Long-Term Travel

Are you considering leaving the U.S. to travel long-term? 

If so, there are a variety of things to consider prior to departure. One of the biggies is health insurance.

This is complicated when traveling long-term. People who are location independent fall between the cracks, without proper access to insurance or national safety nets. We know this because we are nomads ourselves. Before setting off, we had to figure out this piece of the puzzle, especially since Monica has type 1 diabetes. It was important to be covered overseas but also to be covered during those times when we’re back in the U.S.

  • SafetyWing offers a global social safety net tailored to the needs of digital nomads, online freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote companies. Their travel and medical insurance plan is called Nomad Insurance and it’s a terrific way to ensure that you are covered should emergencies arise.
  • World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 adventure sports and activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Both companies offer a variety of plans so you’re sure to find one that meets your specific needs. In addition to health coverage, some plans also cover medical evacuation, trip cancellation, lost luggage and other emergencies.

Get Coverage Before You Head Out

Before you head off on your long-term travel journey, make sure you have the right coverage should the need arise. Then enjoy the adventure.

We receive a fee when you get a quote from SafetyWing and World Nomads using these links. We do not represent SafetyWing or World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.


Before you set off on your next adventure, use our links to check off your to-do list:

✔️ Never overpay for a flight again with DailyDropPro

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✔️ Score the lowest accommodation prices on Booking.com

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And finally…

✔️ Scan our favorite gear page for the stuff we personally use and LOVE!