3 Ways Travel Is Getting Tougher: Why Travel Protection Matters More Than Ever

From rising medical costs to extreme weather and flight disruptions, travel is more unpredictable than ever. Learn how travel insurance and assistance services may help safeguard your plans and your wallet.

More Challenges, More Reasons to Help Protect Your Trip

Travel has always come with a few bumps in the road, but recent years have seen growing challenges for travelers worldwide. From increasing medical costs abroad to unpredictable weather and widespread flight disruptions, the need for travel protection has never been greater.

Here are three major ways travel is getting tougher, and how a travel protection plan from Generali Global Assistance may help travelers stay prepared and confident.

1. Rising Medical Costs at Home and Abroad

Healthcare costs are climbing globally, and travelers are feeling the impact. According to HealthSystemTracker.org, medical costs in many countries are rising at an average rate of 7.3% annually—outpacing increases in the U.S.. Travel Protection may help cover gaps in your health insurance even when you need medical attention in the U.S.

Also Read: Travel Protection and Medical Expenses: What You Need to Know

Tourists often face full-price billing for medical services, especially in countries with public healthcare systems that exclude non-residents. For example, the UK, Canada, and Sweden do not extend universal healthcare benefits to visitors, meaning travelers must pay out-of-pocket for non-emergency care.

Hospital stays can be particularly costly. A single day in a hospital in Luxembourg averages $1,813, in Norway $1,343, and in Monaco $1,051.

Most U.S. health insurance plans offer little to no coverage for international medical care. That’s where travel protection may help. With one of our travel protection plans, travelers may access Emergency Assistance & Transportation coverage abroad, including hospital stays, physician services, and emergency medical evacuation when needed. We also assist with navigating foreign hospital systems and we help pay covered inpatient medical bills upfront. Coverage is in excess of your standard coverage, except where prohibited

It’s a proactive way to help protect both your health and your finances while traveling.

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 due to many 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. Flight Disruptions & Missed Connections

Flight disruptions are becoming more common, and more costly. So far this year, over 21.8% of flights in the U.S. were delayed or canceled due to staffing shortages, system outages, weather-related issues and more. Although this number is slightly up from last year which was 21.7% the growing flight disruptions provides more reasons to have a travel protection plan.

A missed connection can mean losing a prepaid hotel night, missing a cruise departure, or skipping a once-in-a-lifetime tour. These setbacks often come with additional costs and lost experiences.

Generali Global Assistance’s travel protection plans offer coverage for Trip Interruption, helping travelers recover eligible costs for rebooking flights, hotel stays, and other necessary expenses. With this coverage, travelers may get back on track quickly and with more peace of mind.

Also Read: Trip Interruption Can Be Costly—Help Protect Yourself with Travel Protection

Why Travel Protection Matters More Than Ever

Today’s travel landscape is more unpredictable than ever. Rising healthcare costs, extreme weather, flight disruptions, and other unexpected events can turn a dream trip into a logistical and financial challenge. Travel protection from Generali Global Assistance helps travelers prepare for the unexpected, offering coverage that can make a meaningful difference when plans change.

Whether you're traveling for business, leisure, or a special occasion, our plans are designed to help you travel smarter and safer.

Get a fast and free quote today and see how Generali Global Assistance can help you travel with confidence.

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