Top Concerns for Travel Abroad, How Travel Protection Can Help

Before you pack your bags, learn about common risks that can disrupt international travel: strikes, extreme weather, theft, and medical emergencies. Learn how to prepare and help protect your trip with practical tips and coverage options.

Planning an international trip is exciting, but it comes with unique challenges that can disrupt even the best-laid plans. From unexpected strikes to natural disasters or theft, understanding the risks and how to prepare can make all the difference. Here’s what travelers should keep in mind before heading overseas.

1. Labor Strikes

Airline and public transportation strikes are increasing globally, often with little warning. According to our recent survey, nearly one in four travelers is concerned about flight delays or cancellations due to labor disruptions.

If a strike affects your travel plans:

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage may reimburse you for non-refundable expenses such as airfare, hotels, and tours.
Travel Delay benefits may help cover meals, lodging, and rebooking costs while you're stuck.

Strikes may be considered a covered reason under Generali Global Assistance plans, provided the strike was unforeseen at the time you purchased your coverage. Tip: Book early and buy your plan as soon as you make your first trip payment to help protect your trip.

2. Extreme Weather & Natural Disasters

2025 has been a record-breaking year for extreme weather events. Hurricanes, wildfires, and flash floods have disrupted travel across North America, Europe, and Asia. Hundreds of thousands of travelers have faced cancellations, delays, and emergency rerouting due to these natural disasters.

In the first half of 2025 alone, nearly 490 million global passengers were affected by flight disruptions caused by severe weather, power outages, and wildfires.

Also Read: How Travel Protection Can Help When Climate Disasters Cause Travel Disruptions

Our travel protection plans include coverage for Trip Cancellation and Trip Delay for a variety of covered reasons, with severe weather being a big factor, as well as Emergency Assistance & Transportation when necessary. Whether it’s a wildfire that forces a last-minute itinerary change or a hurricane that grounds flights for days, travel protection helps provide peace of mind when nature doesn’t cooperate.

3. Political Conflict, Terrorism, and Global Unrest

International travel is increasingly affected by geopolitical volatility. Over 30% of survey respondents reported that safety concerns—including terrorism and civil unrest—are now a major factor when choosing destinations.

Our plans offer protection in some, but not all, of these scenarios:

Trip Cancellation coverage may apply if:
- A terrorist act occurs in a destination listed on your itinerary within 30 days of your scheduled departure and that destination has not experienced a similar attack in the past 30 days.
- If a traveling companion or family member is killed or seriously injured due to a terrorist act, you may also be covered under Trip Cancellation or Interruption.
Medical and Dental coverage may reimburse you for treatment if you are injured in a terrorist incident during your trip.

We don’t provide coverage to Restricted Destinations.

However, acts of war are excluded from coverage. U.S. federal law defines an act of war as:

Occurring during a declared war,
Involving armed conflict between two or more nations, or
Involving military forces of any origin.

4. Medical Emergencies Abroad

Even minor injuries can become major headaches overseas, especially if local healthcare systems differ from what you’re used to. U.S.-based health plans typically offer little or no coverage overseas.

How travel protection may help:

Emergency Medical & Dental coverage for physician-ordered care.
Emergency Assistance & Transportation coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation.
24/7 multilingual assistance for hospital referrals and legal aid.

Tip: For international trips, consider our Preferred or Premium Plans, which include higher Medical and Dental coverage limits and enhanced benefits/coverage for travelers abroad.

5. Theft and Lost Items

Pickpocketing and baggage theft are among the most common issues travelers face abroad, especially in crowded tourist areas. Losing essentials like passports or credit cards can derail your plans quickly.
How travel protection may help:

Baggage coverage Helps with reimbursement for stolen luggage and valuables.
Rental Car Damage coverage for damage or loss if your rental car is stolen or vandalized. This coverage is included with our Premium Plan and is available as an add-on coverage for Standard and Preferred plans (Not available to residents of Texas).
24/7 Emergency Assistance helps replace documents and coordinate with local authorities.
Trip Interruption coverage may help cover extra transportation costs if stolen passports delay your return.

Travel Smarter^TM
International trips are full of unforgettable experiences, but they also come with risks that can derail your plans. The good news? With the right travel protection, you can handle the unexpected and keep your journey on track.

Quickly check travel protection plan prices for your next trip abroad.