The standstill happening in airports in Europe has kept lots of people on vacation much longer than they planned. While that may sound nice, for people stranded, it could be costing them lots of money.
Jennifer DeFuria with BTI Travel in Syracuse said, "Trying to navigate being stuck at a destination without baggage, clothes, or extra meal expenses that exist is all an additional piece people don't think about when they're travelling."
Travel agencies say situations like this one are exactly why they push all their travelers to purchase travel insurance.
"Extended stay and trip interruption can get costly when you find yourself in one of those situations," said DeFuria.
In this case, the airlines are allowing people to be re-booked without fees. But in the meantime, for the people stuck in Europe, they could be shelling out thousands in hotel and meal costs if they don't have travel insurance
DeFuria said, "Unknowingly, if you were to ignore that component and find yourself in a situation like this, it could be devastating financially."
Travel agents say an instance like this, where an act of mother nature causes such major problems, allows them to educate future travelers on the importance of travel insurance.
"They're in direct contact getting immediate needs and results relative to where they are stuck," said DeFuria.
For folks flying out of Hancock Airport Monday, they say the images they see on TV are serving as lessons and they would take precautions before travelling abroad.
Traveler Linda Wulff said, "I believe if we were going overseas we would definitely have travel insurance. You can't afford not to."
