If only you could buy insurance that stopped you from getting laid off.

If only you could buy insurance that stopped you from getting laid off.

Hyundai isn’t the only company offering “layoff protection” in this age of uncertainty. You’ve probably seen the carmaker’s commercials promising that you can return a new Hyundai for a refund if you lose your job. But did you know you can also buy travel insurance that will refund your trip cost if you get laid off?

Demand for such policies is way up, according to CNN.com.

For many, this may simply be a case of “better safe than sorry.” But it raises all kinds of questions: If your job is truly in danger, is this a good time to take off for two weeks of golfing? Shouldn’t you be staying home, working doubletime to help save the company or show that you’re one of the worthy who should survive the coming workforce cut?

Also, one should really travel on money one already has, no? If you have an emergency fund in place, and have saved up the cost of your trip, losing your job shouldn’t really change your plans. You can take that breather and return refreshed and ready to face the brutal job market.

But who am I kidding? Just because Americans are a little more cautious these days doesn’t mean they’re living THAT far from the edge. Most of us who lose our jobs are going to need every penny available just to make the mortgage and put some peanut butter sandwiches on the table during what could be a LONG job hunt.

Now here’s an idea: Maybe the government should start handing out travel insurance plans to discourage people from staying home. THAT would be a nice stimulus package for the industry.

Photo by Snofla, used via Creative Commons license.

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