Travel Insurance

Will you be making a business trip soon by air? If so, you should check to see if your state-issued driver’s license is approved as a federal ID. If not, you may not be allowed to board your flight.

Take a look at your driver’s license. Does it say “not for federal identification”? As of October 1, 2020, the Real ID Act will require air travelers age 18 or older to have a REAL-ID-compliant form of identification. An ID that is REAL ID-compliant will contain a star in the upper portion of the card.

The REAL ID Act is not new. It was initially enacted in 2005 after the 9/11 attacks to increase security at U.S. airports. If your ID does not have the star, it’s possible that your state-issued driver’s license does not meet the requirement for a federal ID. Without a federally approved form of identification, under the law, you cannot board a federally regulated commercial aircraft.

New signs at airports remind travelers that

they must have a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of ID (valid passport, PIV card, U.S. military ID) to be permitted to board and fly.

You can check with your state’s driver’s license agency to find out if your driver’s license is REAL ID-compliant. If you need to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, you will have to provide additional forms of identification to the Department of Motor Vehicles of your state such as an original birth certificate, social security card, proof of residence (utility bills with name and address), etc.

You should note, however, a REAL ID is not a substitute for a passport for international travel. A state-issued driver’s license that is not federally approved as a form of identification is still fine for other types of identification, just not for flying. You can visit this link for your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to find out more information.

Learn more about Manning Insurance Services‘ Travel Insurance.

Travel insurance may be a good idea in certain situations, but not in others. Let’s take a look at some of the ins-and-outs of travel insurance.

No need for travel insurance

If you are planning a short one-day trip, chances are that travel insurance is not needed. There is little chance of losing something valuable or of experiencing travel delays—so basically, there is nothing to insure. If travel insurance comes as a part of a car rental contract or as part of a vacation travel package, you may not need to purchase additional coverage. Check your homeowners or rental insurance policies, in some cases they may provide coverage for travel-related losses.

Possible need for travel insurance

If you are traveling a substantial distance away (more than 100 miles) and you are traveling with valuable property or have another travel investment you’d like to protect, travel insurance could be useful. It doesn’t matter whether you’re traveling internationally.

What travel insurance covers

Most travel insurance policies offer some form of the following types of coverage: flight insurance, evacuation insurance, medical insurance, baggage insurance and trip/interruption/cancellation insurance. You can pay an additional premium and add optional coverage items such as identity theft protection, additional medical coverage, concierge services and more.

What travel insurance does not cover

Even if you purchase travel insurance, the policy may impose some restrictions on losses of expensive personal items such as jewelry or electronics. Also, if you are taking part in activities considered dangerous, such as skydiving, you would not be covered unless you had purchased a policy endorsement/rider to add coverage for adventure sports activities.

Here’s to your safe travels! If you’d like to find out if your homeowners or renters policies cover items lost during traveling, we can review your coverage with you. If you find yourself in need of insurance or just want to review your coverage, feel free to stop by any time. We are here to help!

Learn more about Manning Insurance Services‘ Travel Insurance.