Lost luggage. Missed connecting flight. Mysterious illness. These are just a few of the unfortunate scenarios that can happen while on vacation. To add to the aggravation, what if these circumstances happened while thousands of miles and oceans away from home? In 2018, more than 93 million U.S. citizens traveled to a foreign country, according to the National Travel and Tourism office, a 6.3% increase from 2017. Although the majority of travelers stayed close to U.S. borders, with 51.3 million visiting Canada or Mexico, many decided to venture overseas. The most popular overseas destination, Europe, attracted more than 17 million U.S. citizens last year. The Caribbean and Asia were also popular among travelers, with 8.7 million and 6.2 million U.S. citizens visiting the regions in 2018, respectively. But traveling so far from home can come at risk —and cost. The Los Angeles Times reported that in 2016, an international trip cost as much as five times more than a domestic one. Especially when geopolitical or personal safety is a concern, protecting the investment put into a vacation and its travelers can be a step worth taking. For instance, CNBC reported that online travel insurance provider InsureMyTrip.com experienced an increase in policies sold for trips to the Dominican Republic after several Americans fell ill while in the country. Data shows that travelers to all regions increasingly recognize the value travel insurance offers. A study by the U.S. Travel Insurance Association (UStiA) found that Americans spend nearly $4 billion on travel insurance annually. "The industry has continuously evolved to meet the needs of the marketplace," said Megan Cruz, UStiA's executive director, in a statement. "With increased mobility, the travel insurance industry has met the needs of the market by providing products and coverages that protect lives, valuables and investment." According to UStiA, approximately 65.8 million people purchased travel insurance plans in 2018 — a 49.1% increase from 2016, with policies that included trip cancellation/interruption benefits making up 90% of all the products sold. Beyond trip interruption, travel insurance can also provide benefits for emergency medical, lost luggage, medical evacuation and more. Anyone who has traveled is aware that even the most unlikely snafu is possible when on vacation, and purchasing travel insurance can be a prudent step to protect a once in a lifetime experience. Discover the top 10 countries Americans opted to buy travel insurance for (excluding cruise destinations) in the slideshow above, according to InsureMyTrip.com. Related: |

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