An Unexpected Trip to Poland…tomorrow (or “Should I buy travel insurance?” Yes.
I didn't ever buy travel insurance until last year-and now I always buy it for myself and strongly (like arm-twisting strong) recommend that my friends and all my clients do the same.
What changed? Well, first friends of ours-very active and healthy folks-were sailing in Greece when one of them got sick and ended up in the hospital in Athens. For FIVE WEEKS, friends.
But my best example for you is my sister's story, which she has given me permission to share. She had been temporarily working in Europe, with tickets returning to the US for her and her 90 lb dog, Linus, this week. She finished her job there and decided to spend three weeks driving around Eastern Europe in a rented car. Having a blast, pictures are gorgeous.
And then she stepped wrong on a hike in Poland. Broke her leg and an ankle-had to have mountain rescue retrieve her.
Such panic! We didn't know where her dog was, we didn't know how to find him.....and she was in the hospital waiting for surgery.
Chocolate lab, Linus, before everything went to hell, in the mountains in Poland
Two things saved us:
Travel Insured International. Although my sister hadn't booked her trip through me, she did buy travel insurance through me, and I suggested the pet bundle they have (which normally I recommend for folks who would cancel a trip for an ill pet). It is covering her surgery, her care, Linus' boarding, and all the costs for my trip to go get her since her doctor says she requires an escort: plane ticket, hotels, taxis and business class seats home since she can't sit in a regular economy seat. In addition, their in-destination assistance has supported her-arranging for nursing care to change her dressings, for instance.
The kindness of strangers. I can't talk about how amazing everyone has been without tears in my eyes. A fellow travel agent, who is Polish, started making calls and found Linus, and then found a dog hotel to take him. The owner of the dog hotel brought my sister some of her items in the hospital, brought Linus to see her later, and sent pictures of him every day. The hotel staff gave her food in her room and even brought homemade soup from home.
TLDR? Buy travel insurance. Buy it from me, buy it somewhere else, just get it.
Have a wonderful week, and stay safe! No new appointments for me this week as I'm heading to Poland Monday and home Thursday (🙀) but feel free to reach out about next week.
Love,
Sara
