Are you thinking about booking a Hawaii vacation for your family? Find out whether or not it’s worth investing in Hawaii travel insurance!
This post about Hawaii travel insurance was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Are you wondering if you need Hawaii travel insurance for your vacation?
In 2019, Americans spent nearly $3.8 billion across all types of travel protection, according to a US Travel Insurance Association survey. This represented a 41% increase when compared to 2018.
So, do you need travel insurance when it comes to your Hawaiian vacation or any vacation at that?
Today, we’ll look at some pros and cons of attaining travel insurance before your trip to the Aloha state.
Suppose you have an accident or get sick while on vacation in Hawaii. In that case, medical bills can quickly add up and put a serious dent in your wallet – especially if there are any delays with flights or other transportation back home due to weather conditions or mechanical issues.
With proper coverage from a travel insurer, these costs will be covered so that you don’t have to worry about them during what should be one of the best times of your life!
Ok, so let’s dive into whether or not Hawaii travel insurance is worth it for your next Hawaiian vacation.
Want a Hawaii travel guide? I’ve got detailed guides and 7-day itineraries!
Hawaii Vacation Planning FAQs
Try to visit Hawaii during the shoulder season for the cheapest prices and the fewest crowds. This is usually mid-April to June in the Spring and September to mid-December in the Fall.
It really depends on your Hawaii vacation goals. Oahu is a great first island to visit because it has a lot of top attractions (like Waikiki and Pearl Harbor). Maui is pretty famous for honeymoons and babymoons because of its fantastic resorts. Kauai is much more laid back and is perfect for adventurers and foodies. The Big Island is a great place to fully unplug, explore, and enjoy a quieter pace of life.
Unless you are staying in Waikiki, having a rental car in Hawaii is really helpful. There are many places to explore, and their bus system can take a while, so you might not go where you’d like. Finding reliable Uber/Lyft options is also tricky, which are often pretty expensive. Check here for more car rental tips.
What is Travel Insurance?
So, what is travel insurance beyond an extra cost before your much-needed vacation?
Travel insurance is similar to health or home insurance and exists to help mitigate the financial risk of traveling.
Unfortunately, we must take on certain risks when traveling. Risks include delayed luggage and flight-altering weather, among others.
Travel insurance plans help cover costs incurred when something goes off-plan.
Every travel insurance plan you consider for Hawaii or other locations will differ in coverage and price. It’s essential to read carefully and speak with a representative about your next travel insurance plan before purchasing.
Let’s look at some of the most common types of coverage individuals look for when purchasing travel insurance plans.
Travel Cancellation Flexibility
One of the most prominent benefits of travel insurance is flexibility. Many formal travel insurance plans and simpler airline add-ons allow for travel cancellation flexibility.
This means that you would be able to cancel your flight or travel plans and receive a refund. These plans typically allow cancellations up to 24 hours before your travel date.
A trip cancellation insurance is beneficial when you’re nabbing a flight deal or other vacation special for a later date.
If you fall ill at home or cannot take time off from work, you can refund your travel costs for the low price of travel coverage in this instance.
Lost or Destroyed Baggage
Nothing makes a heart sink faster than arriving at your dream destination only to find your checked bag lost or damaged.
Travel insurance can also cover lost or damaged baggage and make it easier to be reimbursed for your belongings.
Airlines are typically required to reimburse you for lost or damaged bags. However, airline policies often exclude jewelry and fragile items.
You do have the right to file a claim with the US Department of Transportation if your airline doesn’t reimburse you. Even so, travel insurance claims are often easier to deal with in this scenario.
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Dangerous Weather Coverage
It’s a huge headache when flights and travel plans are canceled by airlines.
While airlines must compensate you for trip cancellation for mechanical issues, they don’t actually have to reimburse you for weather complications.
On the other hand, travel insurance coverage specializes in offering packages that cover costs when your travel is interrupted by weather conditions.
Some plans also cover horrible weather at your destination. This means that they may reimburse you for experiencing devastating hurricanes during what should be a sunny, fun-filled vacation.
Health & Travel Insurance Coverage
Hawaii is often described as the world’s outdoor playground for its amazing nature walks, national parks, and hiking opportunities. Unfortunately, alongside outdoor fun activity comes the risk of injury and the cost of treatment.
Health insurance will always be your main fallback for unforeseen injuries. But some travel insurance coverages also cover accidents during your trip.
A travel medical insurance can be a great option for those with weaker health insurance plans or fear of adventuring in unknown terrain.
If you’re interested in this coverage, in particular, be sure to determine what your current health insurance does and does not cover, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions. Look into the cost of medical evaluations away from home as well.
Emergency Assistance in Hawaii
In even more unique circumstances, you might want to purchase travel insurance covering emergency medical expenses when visiting Hawaii.
Getting medical emergency treatment away from home is already scary enough. But in a place as close to nature as Hawaii, you also have to consider how you plan to return to a neighboring town if you get injured on a hike.
Many locations in the Aloha state are remote. Some even require helicopters when retrieving injured visitors to the state. Flights like this can be rather costly.
If you plan to take particularly remote exploration trips when visiting the Hawaiian islands, this is a cost you might want to insure for.
If you’re an expecting mother, one of the essential tips for traveling while pregnant is to get travel insurance because you’ll never know what will happen during your trip.
Cons of Hawaii Travel Insurance
Acquiring Hawaii travel insurance seems a good move for most vacation-goers.
So, what are the cons of Hawaii travel insurance? The largest con is the cost of purchasing a travel insurance plan.
Travel insurance plans typically cost at least a few hundred dollars to cover a multi-thousand-dollar domestic trip.
In the best-case scenario, your trip will go swimmingly well without travel insurance reimbursements. Your policy cost was spent for peace of mind and protection in this case.
Another con of purchasing travel insurance is the amount of time that goes into finding a reputable insurance company. It also takes time to compare your current healthcare plan coverage to potential travel coverage.
Do you need Hawaii travel insurance for your Hawaii trip?
Whether or not you choose to purchase Hawaii Travel Insurance is a personal choice.
In general, we recommend purchasing at least a baseline insurance plan before traveling. This will protect you from weather and travel complications that can cost you losing out on on-location events and fun.
Travel insurance will be more costly if you plan a large event like a destination wedding. But it can also be even more invaluable to protect your investments into the rest of the event, such as multiple hotel reservations and catering.
Want a Hawaii travel guide? I’ve got detailed guides and 7-day itineraries!
If you’d like to learn more about how to plan a trip to Hawaii, head over to my Hawaii site, Hawaii Travel with Kids!
