5 Travel Problems Every Woman Should Know (and How to Handle Them)

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When Linda planned a cruise through Iceland and Norway with her aunt, a hurricane unraveled their flights. When her connecting flights fell through and left her stranded, she called WorldTrips, where the assistance team rebooked flights, arranged a hotel, and coordinated ground transportation so she could meet the ship at the next port.

 “They assigned a single point person, and that person stayed with me from start to finish,” Linda says. “I wasn’t passed around or forced to explain my situation over and over again.”

Her detour is a reminder of how quickly unexpected disruptions can become headaches and potentially significant expenses. Here are five common travel problems, the costs they can bring, and how a comprehensive trip protection plan like WorldTrips’ Atlas Journey may help protect your investment and, in some cases, even get your trip back on track.

Problem 1: Trip cancellations

Cancellations do not stop at the airport. Hotel reservations, booked tours, and cruise lines can fall through unexpectedly as well. In the United States, 88,000 flights were canceled in 2023, while average cancellation rates for hotels and cruise bookings run about 20 percent and 15 percent. A canceled flight might mean an extra night of meals and lodging, but canceling a tour or cruise can mean thousands of dollars lost in prepayments.

Linda knows how disruptive this can be after nearly missing her cruise altogether. The Atlas Journey trip protection plan includes trip cancellation benefits, covering more than 40 different reasons for cancellation. Plans can reimburse up to 100 percent of your insured trip cost for covered reasons.

Problem 2: Lost or stolen luggage

Airlines mishandle roughly 1.8 million bags each year worldwide, and some U.S. carriers report about 8 bags per 1,000 checked. When bags are delayed or lost, travelers often spend a few hundred dollars on toiletries, clothing, or a replacement bag while they wait for their luggage to be returned or replaced.

Linda emphasizes the peace of mind that comes with having coverage: “Some of my friends never think about trip protection.   I always tell them—you just never know. One bad experience is all it takes to realize how valuable Atlas Journey is.”

Atlas Journey trip protection provides baggage delay benefits so you can buy essentials right away, and coverage for lost or stolen baggage up to plan limits, which can reach $2,500 depending on the plan selected.

Problem 3: Illness or injury abroad

Emergency medical issues are among the costliest surprises. Medical evacuations can reach over $100,000 depending on your location and your distance from capable medical facilities.

Linda originally bought coverage for an Antarctica trip with this in mind, stating, “I chose Atlas Journey because it covered emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and medical expenses—everything I needed for a remote destination like Antarctica.”  

Atlas Journey Elevate can provide up to $150,000 in travel medical coverage and up to $1 million for emergency medical evacuation, which could be especially important for remote or expedition travel.

Problem 4: Weather and other disruptions

Extreme weather is a leading cause of delays and cancellations. Between September 2023 and August 2024, weather accounted for about a quarter of U.S. flight arrival delays, and travelers who reported disruptions increasingly cited weather as the reason. When severe weather strikes, the out-of-pocket costs of rebooking, overnight stays, and missed non-refundable plans can quickly reach $500 to $1,000 per person.

Linda experienced this firsthand: her hurricane disruption could have totaled nearly $9,000 in unused cruise days, last-minute airfare, hotels, and transfers. Instead, trip interruption and delay benefits, along with 24/7 assistance, helped her catch the ship and recover eligible expenses.

“The claims process was smooth. I uploaded receipts and supporting documentation, submitted my claim, and everything was handled quickly. No hassle.”

Problem 5: Lost passport or travel documents

Replacing a passport abroad can be stressful, and the add-on fees for expediting and couriers can push the total into the $300 to $500 range, not counting any missed connections or extra hotel nights. In these moments, having access to travel assistance services can make a stressful situation far easier to manage.

 Atlas Journey trip protection includes benefits that can help with replacement costs for travel documents and 24/7 assistance to connect you with the nearest embassy or consulate.

Linda’s Solutions to these 5 Common Travel Problems

Here are five solutions Linda shares with other travelers based on her own travel experience and lessons learned:

1. Protect your investment with trip interruption coverage
   “If I hadn’t had Atlas Journey, I probably would have just given up and gone home. But instead, I made it to Iceland, reunited with my aunt, and we had an incredible trip.”
2. Use 24/7 assistance when things go wrong
   “Thanks to Atlas Journey’s 24/7 travel assistance, I always had someone helping me navigate the confusion.”
3. Keep receipts and submit claims quickly
   “ Atlas Journey reimbursed my expenses for new flights, accommodations, and even the taxi I needed to reach the next cruise port.”
4. Consider buying coverage even if you don’t anticipate needing it
   One bad experience is all it takes to realize how valuable Atlas Journey is. Without it, I could have been stuck with thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses.”
5. Make travel insurance coverage a non-negotiable
   “Now, every time I plan a trip, the first thing I do is call and book travel insurance. I’ll never travel without Atlas Journey again.”

Smart steps before you go

• Buy early, especially for complex or high-value trips. Purchasing when you make your first deposit helps align coverage with more of your prepaid costs and can make certain time-sensitive benefits available, like pre-existing condition coverage, depending on the plan.
• Keep your receipts and documents organized. Linda’s claim took less than 30 minutes to submit online because she had her documents ready, which made reimbursement straightforward.
• Know your plan limits and covered reasons. Atlas Journey trip protection includes one of the industry’s broader lists of covered cancellation reasons, along with interruption, medical, and evacuation benefits. Understanding these before you go helps you act quickly if plans change.

Travel is full of surprises, and not all of them are pleasant. With the right trip protection, a major setback can be turned into a manageable detour. Linda’s story is evidence that you can help protect your plans, your budget, and your peace of mind with the right coverage.

Planning your next trip? Compare Atlas Journey trip protection plans and get a quick quote today.

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In California, operating as WorldTrips Insurance Services. California Non-Resident Producer License Number: 0G39705. WorldTrips’ trip protection plans are underwritten by Tokio Marine HCC’s U.S. Specialty Insurance Company (USSIC). Coverage may vary by state; please consult the policy documents for specifics.