Traveling teachers make dreams come true by providing “Outside the classroom” learning opportunities for students. Whether it’s a band traveling to a parade or a French class going to France to speak the local language, these opportunities change student’s lives. The teachers leading these group are to be commended for making the possible, a reality.
We all know the safety of student travelers is the highest priority. If something goes wrong or someone becomes ill while traveling, travel insurance can be a teacher’s greatest tool in effectively handling the situation. Travel Protection Plans for student travelers can cover expenses related to medical emergencies, trip interruptions, missed connections and emergency evacuation cost. Travel protection plans also cover lost luggage and delayed baggage related cost.
SYTA Tour Operators understand the value of travel protection plans and that’s why most work with providers to ensure their travelers have some type of post-departure coverage (medical coverage, travel delay, etc.) while traveling.
If you happen to be a teacher who plans a trip and are not using a SYTA Tour operator, it is very important that you reach out to a Travel Protection Plan provider for options. In providing these options for your travelers, you are now positioned to ensure the parents can safeguard their child. Travel protection plans offer a range of benefits and it is important to understand the coverages in any plan you choose.
Some families wonder if the Travel Protection Plans offer enough insurance coverage, which is a difficult question to answer as different families may have differing tolerance levels for unexpected expenses. In the event a family emergency arises and a student traveler can no longer go on the trip, the cost of the tour may be forfeited. For many, that fact alone is justification for considering additional travel insurance. In addition to cost of the trip insurance, there is also “Cancel for any reason” coverage or CFAR available through many SYTA travel insurance providers.
Protecting the Family’s Investment
I received a call from a student traveler’s father one day. The father was calling to share bad news; his daughter would not be traveling on our adventure to Rome. The dad reported that his daughter had slipped and tore a tendon in her leg, and therefore would not be able to walk the three to five miles a day that was common on our programs. Fortunately for this family, the parents had purchased the enhanced Travel Protection Plan that covers the full tour cost minus the insurance cost. So, although it was a sad day for this student traveler, at least the family’s investment was protected. The best part of the story was the family received the cost of the trip and had the funds to send their daughter on this life changing adventure the very next year.
Here’s wishing you all safe and healthy travels,
Michael Bowers
Founder, Center for Student Travel Safety