Travel is great fun, but, occasionally things go wrong. Flights get canceled, hotels overbook, accidents happen and medical emergencies can occur. When that type of thing happens, it helps to know that you have a good international travel insurance backing you up. With good coverage, you know that you can get replacement flights or accommodation. Plus, that lost items will be replaced and that your medical bills will be paid by the insurance company. Here are some travel insurance tips to keep in mind while you travel.
Travel Insurance Tips
Insurance only helps if you have bought the right policy. This article is designed to help you to do exactly that. Make a list or what you need to get the ball rolling. A good starting point is to make a list of the type of coverage you feel you will need. From there, you can check out www.consumersadvocate.org to research the providers available in your area. To get you started, here is a list of what could be covered by a good travel insurance policy. These are the things you need to think about adding to your list.
Medical travel insurance coverage
- Treatment for medical emergencies
- Medical evacuation and/or repatriation
- Coverage for your pre-existing medical conditions
- Lost medication replacement coverage
Cancellation coverage
- Flight or other transport cancellations
- Accommodation cancellation
Trip interruption coverage for unexpected events
- Hurricane and inclement weather coverage
- Terrorism
- Employment layoff cancellation coverage
- Missed Connections
- Non-medical evacuation
Coverage for luggage and possessions
- Delayed baggage
- Lost or damaged luggage
- Delayed arrival of sports equipment
- Lost or damaged sports equipment
- Damage or loss of other high-value items such as wheelchairs
- Loss of cash
- Losses due to hotel room thefts or muggings
Extras that you may want to have included
- Hazardous sports coverage
- Rental car coverage
- Life assurance
- An accidental death payout
- In-flight accident coverage
- Money back guarantee
- 24-hour assistance service
- Identity theft
Don’t end up paying for things you do not need…
In all likelihood, you will not need all of the above types of cover. For example, if you are not hiring a car you will not need that kind of insurance. Besides which, even if you are planning to rent a vehicle, while away, the chances are all of the coverage you need will be included in the rental package.
Check what coverage your bank, credit card providers and private medical insurance firms already offer you. Often, you will find that you already have some sort of limited coverage.
There is no point in paying for unnecessary coverage. Knowing what you do not need should enable you to save money. And make sure you understand the small print!
Unfortunately, you do need to read the terms and conditions too. It is the only way to understand exactly what you are covered for and what you are not. For example, should you end up in the hospital the insurance company will likely pay for your bed and nursing care. However, they may not pay for your drugs.
It is also important to work out whether you are eligible to be covered by the policy you are buying. You will be surprised at how many things can be excluded. If you have pre-existing medical conditions that you have not declared at the time of buying your policy you could find that you cannot make a claim.