Nothing in life is without risk — even your vacation. Purchasing travel insurance is a personal choice, but many people appreciate the peace of mind that comes with having some coverage when their best-laid plans go awry. As with anything related to travel, however, it pays to do your homework — and you might be surprised to find that some insurance policies offer financial protection in categories you never expected. Here are five common things that can be covered by insurance on your next big trip.

Pets and Service Animals

Pets are always a little challenging for travelers because our four-legged friends need excellent care while we’re away. Happily, some travel insurance policies offer coverage for at-home pet care, and certain plans will also cover the added costs of kennel care should your return trip be delayed. If you travel with your animal, some specialized policies will even pay for your pet to fly without you if you are unable to return home due to hospitalization, illness, or injury.

Emergencies You Didn’t Plan For

Sure, you might expect medical coverage, but did you know that dental emergencies are often included in travel insurance policies as well? If you suffer from a cracked tooth, a loose crown, or an abscess while on your trip, you’ll need to get into a dentist’s chair as soon as possible. Travel insurance can cover the cost of an emergency visit away from home, so you don’t have to end your trip early.

If a more serious situation arises and you end up hospitalized while traveling abroad, some policies will even pay for a loved one to fly to your location to support you during your time of need. For example, plans from Atlas Travel Insurance will cover up to $100,000 for emergency reunions, including round-trip transportation, lodging, and meals for 15 days. And should you become medically unable to drive during a road trip, insurance policies can also reimburse the cost of transporting your car back to your home base.

Device and Excursion Protection

Many travel insurance providers offer an option to cover your tech, gadgets, and electronics when you travel. This can be especially useful for digital nomads, since their devices are their livelihood. In this case, insurance policies don’t just cover device theft — they can also protect travelers from cracked screens, liquid damage, and accidental drops of phones, tablets, and laptops. However, this is usually an add-on and not typically covered by standard insurance plans. You’ll also need to provide proof of ownership and damage documentation to receive a payout.

For other travelers, interruptions to recreational activities are another unexpected perk of travel insurance. The cost of ski gear, lift tickets, equipment rentals, golf clubs, and tee times certainly adds up, so it’s helpful to know that some policies cover these losses to ensure you don’t forfeit money in nonrefundable bookings in the event of a flight delay. Just note that these plans tend to come at a higher premium.

Protection on the Home Front

Sometimes, emergencies happen at home while you’re away. Luckily, many policies will cover unexpected crises that happen on your home property. Depending on the insurance plan, this can include a wide range of instances, including burglary or fire, storm damage, or death or illness of a pet. Always read the fine print to make sure you’re covered for your specific scenario.

The Miscellaneous Stuff You Didn’t See Coming

Why does jury duty always seem to pop up when you least expect it? Well, it’s even more shocking when it disrupts potential travel plans. Thankfully, some policies offer common coverage for jury duty as a cancellation reason, so you don’t lose money just because you have to be a dutiful citizen. Travel insurance can also protect you from incurring cancellation fees if you lose your job involuntarily and have to postpone your expensive trip. 

And then there are those things you really just can’t plan for. This is when a Cancel for Any Reason, or “CFAR,” policy is especially helpful. For example, the most comprehensive plan from AXA covers up to 75% of your trip costs — including airfare, a hotel, activity bookings, and nonrefundable deposits — when you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure. However, these plans are typically more expensive and will typically increase the total trip cost by 2% to 4%.