Travel Insurance: Making the Trip Worth It
Posted by Melissa in Travel Tips
Have you ever experienced losing a bag or having to go to the emergency room when you were travelling? It’s such a hassle isn’t it? Even if you may be the world’s most experienced traveller, there are certain mishaps that you just can’t avoid. That’s where travel insurance comes in. And trust me, it’s all worth it.
Travel insurance is insurance that is used to cover medical expenses and financial and other losses incurred while travelling. Travel insurance can usually be availed at the time of the booking of a trip to cover just the duration of that single trip, or a lengthier, more extensive, continuous travel insurance can be bought from travel insurance companies. Travel insurance is also offered by travel agents and direct from travel suppliers such as cruise lines or tour operators.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a student traveller, a business traveller, leisure traveller or whatever else you may be travelling for. Having travel insurance will save you a lot of headaches as various options of travel can be insured.
If you’re still not sold on having to avail of travel insurance, here’s a list of things that are covered by travel insurance:
• Medical expenses
• Emergency evacuation/repatriation
• Overseas funeral expenses
• Accidental death, injury or disablement benefit
• Cancellation
• Curtailment
• Delayed departure
• Loss, theft or damage to personal possessions and money (including travel documents)
• Delayed baggage (and emergency replacement of essential items)
• Legal assistance
• Personal liability and rental car damage excess
Some travel insurance policies will also provide for any additional costs but these may vary widely between travel insurance providers. In addition to the list above, some separate travel insurance policies can be purchased for specific costs such as pre-existing medical conditions, sports with an element of risk and travel to high risk countries. However, some travel insurance providers may also exclude costs for some pre-existing medical conditions, war or terrorism (but some travel insurance plans may cover this risk) and injury or illness caused by alcohol or drug use. Travel insurance policies also usually cover pregnancy related expenses, if the journey occurs within the first trimester. After that time, travel insurance coverage may vary every travel insurance provider.
If you’re still not sold on travel insurance, availing of one can also provide some very helpful services. Most travel insurance services include 24 hour service, 7 days a week that can include concierge services and emergency travel assistance.
If you’re worried about the cost of buying the actual travel insurance itself, don’t fret. Typically, travel insurance for the duration of a journey can cost approximately just 5 to 7% of the cost of the entire trip. If you still think that’s not a good deal, just think of how much it would cost you to not have any travel insurance when you have an accident while skiing in the alps or lose all your bags after a three-week long trip to Italy. Having travel insurance makes the trip all the more worth it.
Related posts
About Me
