Travel insurance gaps are exposing business travellers to serious financial risks, with new data showing that many professionals are not adequately covered while working abroad. A recent report highlights growing concerns as travel disruptions, emergencies, and blended work-leisure trips become more common.
The findings reveal a mismatch between increasing travel activity and the level of protection provided by current insurance policies.
Travel insurance gaps increasing with global travel risks
Travel insurance gaps are widening as more employees travel internationally. According to the report, 80% of business travellers experienced at least one disruption, while 53% faced an incident or emergency during trips.
Common disruptions included flight delays, transport issues, and lost or delayed luggage. In addition, visa complications added to travel challenges.
Beyond delays, more serious risks were also reported. Theft of valuables was frequent, and 13% of travellers required medical treatment abroad.
Travel insurance gaps and rising medical costs
Medical emergencies are a major concern when discussing travel insurance gaps. Although only a small percentage of travellers needed treatment, these cases account for most assistance claims.
Emergency evacuations, while rare, carry extremely high costs. Air ambulance services alone can exceed $150,000, with complex situations reaching over $1 million.
Many standard policies, including domestic health plans and basic travel insurance, do not fully cover these expenses. This leaves travellers and employers exposed to significant financial risk.
Travel insurance gaps worsen with blended travel
The rise of blended travel is further complicating travel insurance gaps. Many professionals now combine business trips with personal activities or remote work.
Survey data shows that 81% of travellers plan to mix business and leisure travel. This includes adding personal time to work trips, working remotely from abroad, or incorporating meetings into personal travel.
These scenarios often fall outside traditional insurance coverage, creating additional gaps that may not be immediately obvious.
Travel insurance gaps extend beyond medical risks
Modern travel risks go beyond health emergencies. Travellers now face cyber threats, geopolitical instability, civil unrest, and climate-related disruptions.
However, many corporate insurance policies still focus on basic coverage. Some rely on credit card insurance or workers’ compensation plans, which often exclude critical protections such as evacuation support, cybersecurity, and repatriation.
As risks evolve, these outdated policies leave travellers increasingly vulnerable.
Why travel insurance gaps matter now
Travel insurance gaps are becoming a critical issue as global mobility increases. Companies and employees must reassess their coverage to ensure it matches today’s risks.
Without proper protection, even a single incident could result in massive financial exposure. As business travel continues to evolve, closing these gaps will be essential for safety and resilience.
