travel insurance masterThere’s something special about traveling in the fall. The summer crowds begin to disappear, temperatures cool down, landscapes transform, and destinations around the world take on an entirely different personality.
Whether you’re planning a weekend leaf-peeping road trip through New England, an international getaway to Europe, or a warm-weather escape before winter arrives, fall can be one of the best times of year to travel.
But autumn travel can also bring unpredictable weather, changing flight schedules, and other unexpected situations. As you plan your fall vacation, it’s worth thinking about more than where you’ll stay and what you’ll see. Travel insurance may help protect your trip - and the money you’ve invested in it - when certain covered events interfere with your plans.
Here are a few reasons to consider a fall getaway, some of the best fall travel destinations, and why comparing travel insurance before you leave may be worth adding to your checklist.
Why Travel in the Fall?
Summer might get most of the attention, but fall has plenty to offer travelers.
Fewer Crowds
Once the peak summer travel season ends and schools are back in session, many popular destinations become less crowded. That can mean shorter lines at attractions, easier restaurant reservations, and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Popular European cities such as Rome, Paris, and Barcelona can feel very different after the height of summer, while destinations throughout the United States often become easier to explore.
Comfortable Temperatures
If sightseeing in intense summer heat isn’t your idea of a vacation, autumn can be a welcome change.
Cooler temperatures can make walking tours, hiking, outdoor dining, and city exploration much more comfortable. Of course, fall weather can also be unpredictable, so travelers should pack layers and keep an eye on the forecast.
Incredible Scenery
Few seasons can compete with fall when it comes to scenery.
Across parts of the United States, forests turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Vineyards enter harvest season. Mountain towns become cozy weekend escapes. Even familiar destinations can feel completely different once autumn arrives.
Best Fall Travel Destinations
Not sure where to go? These destinations offer plenty of reasons to pack your bags this fall.
New England
For classic fall foliage travel, it’s hard to beat New England.
Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine offer scenic drives, charming small towns, hiking trails, orchards, and plenty of opportunities to experience the changing leaves.
A New England fall road trip can be especially appealing for travelers who want to combine several destinations into one vacation.
Italy
Italy’s appeal doesn’t disappear when summer ends.
Fall can be a wonderful time to explore Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Venice, and other popular destinations. Cooler weather can make sightseeing more comfortable, while harvest season brings another reason for food and wine lovers to visit.
Whether you’re planning a city break or a longer Italian vacation, autumn offers a different way to experience one of Europe’s most popular destinations.
Japan
Japan is famous for its spring cherry blossoms, but its fall colors can be just as impressive.
Destinations including Kyoto, Tokyo, and Nikko offer opportunities to see brilliant autumn foliage alongside temples, gardens, historic neighborhoods, and incredible food.
For travelers interested in an international fall vacation, Japan deserves a place on the list.
National Parks
Fall can also be an excellent season for exploring America’s national parks.
Depending on the destination, travelers may encounter cooler hiking temperatures, colorful landscapes, and fewer visitors than during peak summer months.
Conditions vary significantly by park and elevation, however, so check seasonal road closures, weather forecasts, and park alerts before heading out.
Somewhere Warm
Not ready to say goodbye to summer?
Fall can also be the perfect excuse to head somewhere warm. Destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and other tropical regions can be tempting as temperatures begin dropping at home.
However, travelers should remember that Atlantic hurricane season continues through November 30. If you’re planning a tropical fall vacation, understanding your travel insurance coverage - and purchasing it before a storm becomes a known event - can be particularly important.
Why Consider Travel Insurance for a Fall Trip?
You can plan your vacation down to the last dinner reservation, but you can’t plan every possibility.
Flights, hotels, cruises, tours, rental accommodations, and excursions can add up quickly. Depending on the reservations you make, some of those costs may be prepaid and non-refundable.
That’s where travel insurance for fall vacations may help.
Depending on the policy you purchase and the circumstances involved, travel insurance may provide benefits related to covered situations such as:
- Trip cancellation or interruption
- Travel delays
- Lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed baggage
- Emergency medical expenses while traveling
- Emergency medical evacuation
Every travel insurance policy is different. Coverage, exclusions, benefit limits, and eligibility requirements vary, which makes it important to read the policy details carefully before purchasing.
What About Hurricane Season?
Fall travelers heading to hurricane-prone destinations should pay particularly close attention to timing.
Travel insurance is designed to help protect against unforeseen covered events. Once a hurricane or tropical storm becomes a known or foreseeable event, purchasing a policy afterward generally won’t provide coverage for losses associated with that already-known event.
That’s one reason travelers may want to consider buying travel insurance soon after booking a trip rather than waiting until departure day.
If hurricane coverage is important to you, compare policies carefully and review how each plan handles severe weather, trip cancellation, interruption, and delays.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Medical Emergencies Abroad?
Medical coverage is another important consideration for international travelers.
Your domestic health insurance may provide limited coverage - or potentially no coverage at all - when you travel outside the United States. Medicare generally does not cover healthcare received outside the U.S., except in limited circumstances.
Depending on the policy, international travel insurance may include benefits for eligible emergency medical treatment and emergency medical evacuation.
Before traveling internationally, check your existing health coverage and compare the emergency medical benefits offered by different travel insurance plans.
How to Choose Travel Insurance for a Fall Vacation
There isn’t one travel insurance policy that’s right for every traveler or every trip.
A weekend road trip through New England has very different risks and expenses than a two-week vacation through Europe or an international cruise.
When comparing travel insurance plans, consider your destination, trip cost, prepaid and non-refundable expenses, length of travel, planned activities, existing medical coverage, and the benefits that matter most to you.
Most importantly, don’t choose a plan based solely on price. Compare coverage limits, exclusions, and policy terms so you understand what you’re purchasing.
Travel Insurance Master makes it simple to request a free quote, and find a recommended plan based on your unique trip and traveler details. Plus, you can easily filter by the benefits most important to you and shop and compare plans from industry leading providers all on one simple, easy to understand website.
Plan the Trip. Prepare for the Unexpected.
Fall is made for exploring.
Whether you’re chasing foliage through New England, enjoying harvest season in Italy, exploring Japan’s autumn landscapes, or escaping somewhere warm, a little preparation can go a long way.
Along with booking your flights, choosing your accommodations, and building the perfect itinerary, consider how you would handle the unexpected.
Before your fall adventure begins, compare your options and request a free travel insurance quote at TravelInsuranceMaster.com.
Travel insurance coverage varies by policy. Terms, conditions, exclusions, eligibility requirements, and benefit limits apply. Review the policy documentation carefully before purchasing.
