You can meticulously plan the perfect holiday itinerary, but the moment your youngest announces that they’ve just discovered their love for parasailing, or your teen insists on a spontaneous hike to a hidden waterfall they saw on TikTok, all bets are off.
But it’s the unpredictable moments that can turn a good trip into a great adventure.
And it seems we’re not alone in this. Recent research shows that 54% of travellers make changes to their itinerary while they are away, often embracing spur-of-the-moment experiences.
These spontaneous detours are becoming part of the travel experience itself, with 47% of modern travellers increasingly prioritising these activities over sticking to pre-planned schedules.
In fact, Gen Z’ers and millennials are leading this charge, carving out more budget for experiences than previous generations. So, while the older generation might be happy with a sun lounger and a good book, today’s younger travellers are ziplining, paragliding, and setting off on unplanned culinary tours of back-alley food markets.
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With all this excitement comes a critical need to make sure you have flexible travel insurance that covers you, no matter where your adventures take you.
Embracing the unexpected
Some of the best travel memories are born out of the unexpected. Maybe you start your holiday with a simple plan of visiting museums, but by day three, you find yourself scuba diving in crystal-clear waters or trekking through a national park.
I’ve had similar experiences with my own family – unexpected detours, new passions, and unplanned activities that transformed our holiday from good to unforgettable.
In moments like these, you’re glad you embraced the unexpected and the experiences that were presented, but the last thing you want to think about is whether your travel insurance will protect you if something goes wrong.
That’s why understanding your travel insurance policy is so important. These impromptu adventures make travel more exciting, but they can also add risk.
If you’re not covered properly, a last-minute mountain bike ride or spontaneous decision to rent a jet ski could end up costing you far more than you bargained for. And no one wants to be that person left with a hefty bill for an ambulance ride just because they didn’t check the fine print of their policy.
Know what you’re covered for
One of the biggest misconceptions travellers have is assuming that their standard travel insurance policy will cover everything they do. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Most basic insurance policies cover medical expenses, trip cancellations, and lost luggage, but if you plan to engage in anything more adventurous – like scuba diving, skiing, or renting a motorbike – you may not be covered.
It’s crucial to take a few moments before your trip to read the details of your policy and understand exactly what you’re covered for. Are pre-existing medical conditions included? Does the policy cover all your planned activities? And, importantly, if your plans change, how easily can you adjust your insurance coverage?
That’s why it’s so important to have a flexible policy. For example, some policies, like the ones we offer, allow you to add and customise coverage on the go with just a few taps on your phone.
If you’re halfway through your holiday and you decide to try parasailing for the first time, you can quickly update your policy. This kind of flexibility ensures that you’re never left unprotected, no matter how spontaneous your adventures become.
The benefits of instant coverage
This brings me to a key point: the benefits of having a policy that allows you to adjust your cover at a moment’s notice. Imagine you’re hiking in the mountains when you come across an opportunity to rent mountain bikes and explore further.
In the past, this might have left you wondering whether your insurance would cover an injury if you happened to take a tumble. But with the flexibility of today’s travel insurance policies, you can quickly check your coverage and even add extra protection, ensuring you’re free to enjoy every opportunity without worry.
Travel is about creating memories, and those memories shouldn’t come with anxiety about unforeseen costs. With the right insurance, you can make changes to your itinerary as much as you like – whether that’s extending your stay, trying out a new sport, or simply exploring something new.
Modern travel insurance allows you to live in the moment without the constant need to calculate risks.
Why understanding your policy is essential
The last thing any traveller wants is to find themselves in a situation where they need to make a claim, only to discover that they weren’t properly covered. Understanding what’s included in your policy from the start gives you peace of mind. You’ll know exactly what to do if your flight is cancelled, your luggage goes missing, or you decide to rent that jet ski on a whim.
Having the right travel insurance is all about freedom – freedom to explore, freedom to change plans, and freedom to immerse yourself in new experiences without fear of financial repercussions.
And it doesn’t have to be complicated. Take the time to understand your policy, ensure it covers everything you’re likely to do (and even the things you might not have planned for), and enjoy your holiday with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re protected.
Ernesto Suarez is CEO of flexible travel insurance firm Gigasure
