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3 - Travel Insurance
The Website For The Smart and Savvy Traveler
Do You Really Need Travel Insurance?
Absolutely! It could save your life, and in this day and age, with so many online providers, there’s no reason not to get it
Whether your luggage is lost, you end up in a political coup or natural disaster, or you need to go to the hospital while on the road, travel insurance will reimburse your expenses. If you are robbed, travel insurance will provide you with the security you need
If the very worst happens and you end up losing your life, good travel insurance will allow your family to bring your body home without paying tens of thousands of dollars and getting wrapped up in mountains of red tape
In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you shouldn’t be traveling in the first place!
Be sure to examine prospective travel insurance policies in depth, because they might not cover your personal situation. Many insurance plans won’t cover certain adventure sports or particular countries or regions. Most plans will only cover a fraction of the value of your electronics
Purchase travel and health insurance, including coverage for accidental injury and medical evacuation. Your national health plan may not cover anything or only a portion of medical expenses abroad
Find out if your personal property insurance covers you for loss or theft abroad. Also, check on what your health insurance covers you abroad
For US travelers, Medicare and Medicaid do not provide payment for medical care outside the United States
Even if your health insurance will reimburse you for medical care that you pay for abroad, health insurance usually does not pay for medical evacuation from a remote area or from a country where medical facilities are inadequate
Consider purchasing a policy designed for travelers, covering short-term health and emergency assistance, as well as medical evacuation in the event of an accident or serious illness
Travel insurance is necessary, particularly if you are traveling independently
Choose a policy that covers your needs
Compare policies on the protection they offer as well as the cost
Check if you have other insurance that will cover you away from home
Travel insurance can PROTECT you against the following things going wrong;
-- Cancelling or cutting short your trip for reasons beyond your control
-- Missed transport or delayed departure for reasons beyond your control
-- Medical and other emergencies!
-- Personal injury and death
-- Lost, stolen or damaged items, including baggage, passports and money
-- Accidental damage or injury caused by you!
Your travel insurance must provide cover for the WHOLE trip, whether it is of one day or for more than a year!
More On Travel Insurance
All activities including hazardous sports must be covered
International travelers should be aware that medical care abroad is often available only at private medical facilities and may be costly
Obtain special travelers' health insurance for destinations where health risks are significant and medical care is expensive or not readily available. This health insurance should include coverage for changes to the itinerary, emergency repatriation for health reasons, hospitalization, medical care in case of illness or accident and repatriation of the body in case of death
Travel agents and tour operators usually provide information about travelers' health insurance. It should be noted that some countries now require proof of adequate health insurance as a condition for entry
If you are going abroad by car, you will have to arrange for extra cover for your car from your insurance company
Travelers should know the procedures to follow to obtain assistance and reimbursement. A copy of the insurance certificate and contact details should be carried with other travel documents in the hand luggage
If an insurer or broker can’t offer you insurance because of your age, most of them will refer you to an alternative insurer or give details of a signposting service such as the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s (BIBA’s) ‘Find a Broker’ service. You can use this service to find specialist insurers who can offer specific types of cover based on factors such as age and medical condition