All About Travel Insurance

The most challenging part of purchasing travel insurance cover is knowing the best type of plan for you and your loved ones. You most likely have heard about the benefits of buying a travel insurance policy, and that it’s a requirement for your trip. Although researching online may be a good idea, you might still not be able to decide on the best plan to buy. The first step you should take is to know what travel insurance covers. This will make it easier to research and buy a plan.

What Travel Insurance Covers

A typical travel insurance will cover most of your concerns, including medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and travel delays. Most travel insurance policies are comprehensive, and they will protect you from various events that may cause a financial loss before or during your trip.

Which Type of Travel Insurance Cover do You Need?

1. Comprehensive Trip Insurance Package

Most people that are looking for travel insurance often think about the comprehensive package. It has several other names, including comprehensive travel insurance, vacation insurance, travel insurance, or trip cancellation insurance. This type of travel insurance covers for interruptions, cancellation, evacuation, medical emergencies, and stolen, delayed, or lost baggage. Travel insurance package is very common to many travelers because it fits most of their needs. However, the main difference is that it covers trip cancellation. There are no other policies that cover for cancellation of trips.

This plan is suitable for:

• General travel and vacations
• Cruises
• Family Trips
• Foreign or domestic travel
• When you’re concerned about losing your money due to the cancellation of a trip

2. Medevac or Evacuation

Medevac or medical evacuation travel plans cover for medical emergency evacuation and evacuations in situations of international security. These plans are designed to offer you with emergency evacuation services and transport you to the nearest medical care center or even return you home.

Medevac travel plans are suitable for:

• Those taking vacations in foreign countries
• Cruise travelers that have a health insurance cover
• Travelers that are planning to tour remote locations
• A traveler who wants to be safe in case they need an emergency medical evacuation

3. Travel Medical

Don’t assume that your domestic medical or health insurance policy covers you while abroad. In fact, many domestic health policies don’t cover you while traveling abroad, or they cover only a portion of the medical expenses you incur overseas. Therefore, ensure that you first consult your medical insurance provider and also inquire if they provide adequate international medical cover. Keep in mind that you will need to buy a travel medical cover.

When traveling, don’t be tempted to rule out the need for medical insurance just because you’re in perfect health. There are several uncertainties when traveling. For instance, while exploring, you may twist your ankle, and you have to seek medical attention to ensure that it’s not broken. You may also take contaminated food and need to be treated for dehydration as soon as possible. Such unpredictable situations can happen to anyone, and they aren’t uncommon, especially when you’re traveling abroad. It’s essential to have such a cover because your health is worth such an investment.

4. Travel Accident Insurance Cover

This type of insurance cover will provide accidental death, life, and dismemberment protection both for you and your loved ones. This travel insurance policy protects you in the case of any unexpected or sudden losses that you may incur due to a flight or travel accident. There are other emergency assistance benefits that you can enjoy; for instance, it can cover for evacuations, baggage loss, dental and medical expenses, repatriation, and pre-existing medical conditions. However, you will only enjoy these benefits during the insured trip or the coverage period. This policy is ideal for those who make international travels frequently, especially to risky destinations.

5. Specialty and Annual Travel Insurance

Specialty travel insurance covers some aspects during your trip, for instance, term life and car rentals. On the other hand, the annual travel insurance cover is similar to travel coverage. However, the main difference is that it covers all trips throughout the year. You can also renew this type of plan. This type of plan is ideal for those who are concerned about only one specific risk.

Check Whether Your Health Insurance Covers You

Depending on your health insurance, you may already be covered when you travel abroad. If this is the case, you won’t need to purchase an additional travel insurance cover. Travel coverage will depend on your health policy. Therefore, check your explanation of benefits that you can easily find online. Alternatively, you can call your health insurance carrier and inquire about your travel coverage. Some health insurance policies will only cover some illnesses, while others won’t cover you at all.

Travel insurance is typically a one-time payment that you can make before your trip. This type of insurance cover comes in two forms – foreign medical coverage and trip cancellation. However, some policies will cover kidnapping, lost luggage, and any other situation where you may need financial protection. While some of these insurance products may not be worthwhile for your trip, if you want to feel safer, then you may consider purchasing them.

Most standard travel insurance policies cover baggage or travel delays. Therefore, if your flight to Singapore is delayed in Boston, then the insurance company will pay the out-of-pocket cost of booking a hotel room that night. What’s more, if your airline loses your luggage, your policy will reimburse expenses like clothing and toiletries that can get you going until your bags arrive.

Choose the Right Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip

If you’re concerned about canceling an expensive trip or getting hurt abroad, travel insurance may be worthwhile. Most likely, you already have some form of coverage from your credit card or existing insurance providers. If you don’t have the right coverage, paying the small travel insurance fee will put an end to your worries. This way, you can remain focused on your trip.