Passport Delays Spell Trouble for U.S. Citizens Traveling Internationally

Passport Delays Spell Trouble for U.S. Citizens Traveling Internationally

According to information provided by the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs, if you applied for a United States passport before February 6, 2023, routine processing was between six and nine weeks. Fast forward to March 24, 2023, and processing times have increased to 10 to 13 weeks. That means that on average, it takes about four weeks longer to process a passport as of March 24, than it took before February 6, 2023. That’s significant.

Why this delay? According to a recent CNBC article, it’s a supply versus demand issue. Essentially, the post-pandemic travel surge has led to a passport backlog. At the same time, the U.S. State Department is light staffed. This is due to a reduction of its workforce which occurred during the pandemic when the need for passports was lighter.

To add insult to injury, the 2023 summer travel season is expected to be among the busiest on record, according to ABC News. This means that in addition to passport delay issues, the cost of travel will likely increase, again because of the law of supply versus demand.

What does this all mean for Americans looking to travel abroad this summer? For those who need new passports, it means that they should start the process well in advance of their trip dates. It also means that when you take that trip, expect to pay more than in the past.

So, what happens if your trip date arrives and a processing delay means you don’t have a valid passport? Good luck entering foreign countries without one. Unfortunately, you may not be able to take your trip.

If you can’t go, what happens to all the money you’ve invested for travel, room and board, excursions, etc.? Is all that money simply gone? Not necessarily, says Dan Drennen, Director of Sales and Marketing at Travel Insurance Center^®.

Dan offers a solution called Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance. While this kind of travel insurance doesn’t get your passport processed any faster, it does hedge against the financial risk associated with not being able to go on your planned trip.

Does this sound too good to be true? It isn’t. However, you should be aware that this solution does have some stipulations that will need to be observed in order to benefit.

Three Points Concerning Cancel For Any Reason Eligibility^*

1. The policy must be purchased within 14 to 21 days (depending on the insurance carrier) of your very first trip payment or deposit. If you go beyond that timeframe, then Cancel For Any Reason insurance policies are not an option. 
2. You must insure the full, pre-paid, non-refundable cost of the trip. 
3. If you do cancel for any reason not covered under the standard trip cancellation provisions of the policy, you must do so 48 hours or more before departure.

Many insurance carriers offer Cancel For Any Reason coverage. So, how do you know which carrier to go with? And how much should you pay in premiums for your benefit? These are the kinds of questions a licensed agent can help answer. That’s where Dan Drennen’s team of Travel Insurance Experts at Travel Insurance Center come into play. Dan’s team of licensed professionals are able to do the research on your behalf, to find suitable insurance options for your specific situation and budget. Give Dan and his team a call today at 1.866.979.6753. They’re ready and able to assist you with your travel insurance needs.  

*Do contact Travel Insurance Center at 1.866.979.6753 for a more complete rundown of product benefits, features, limits and exclusions.

Travel Insurance Center is operated by Senior Market Sales LLC a licensed insurance marketing organization. Insurance services provided by Senior Market Sales LLC. This is a solicitation.