AM Best

Travel insurance is advised as a backup plan against disruptions during vacations, such as medical emergencies or natural disasters. Although credit card coverage can provide some starting protection, consumers may need a separate policy to cover costs like canceled trips due to illness or extra hotel nights. When selecting a policy, one must check for primary coverage, verify medical evacuation benefits, and confirm the insurance company's strong ratings.

Consumer Reports advises travelers to carefully review travel insurance policies before purchasing, highlighting coverage for trip disruptions like illness, disasters, and delays. Mandy Trahan’s experience in Puerto Vallarta during a cartel-related lockdown underscores the importance of understanding policy limits, especially for extended stays or medical emergencies abroad.

Private equity's investment in life insurance companies has shifted risk profiles, pushing insurers toward alternative assets and creating 'zombie insurers' at risk of failure. Anant Bhalla, former CEO of American Equity, warns this trend prioritizes high-risk investments over traditional bonds, with AM Best data showing higher returns but increased risk for portfolios managed by Wall Street-backed insurers.