Travel insurance
Photo: Abasaa, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Travel insurance is short-term insurance available specifically against travel-related emergencies and expenses. International travelers will almost always want to obtain travel insurance to cover possible medical expenses, but even other travelers may find it useful depending on their plans. As coping with an emergency during a trip abroad can work out to be very expensive, in general, if you cannot afford travel insurance, you cannot afford to travel.
This article describes common items covered by travel insurance policies and what to check for on your policy. With any policy, it is important that you read the terms and conditions carefully and that you especially review the exclusions (things that the policy definitely does not cover).
UnderstandTravelers sometimes feel they can skip being insured if they're not carrying valuables, have changeable or refundable tickets, and can afford to be stranded at their destination for a while.
Things that can be coveredThere are two major classes of travel insurance:
Example tables of coverageIn concert with the above discussions, these tables reflect coverages under three kinds of multi-coverage policies offered by one reputable insurer as of 2012. The first table reflects “top level” coverage items.
BuyYou can obtain travel insurance direct online, through your travel agent, your normal insurers, or any one of a number of specialist travel insurers. Shop around.
ClaimRead your insurance companies procedures if you incur any expense that may result in a claim. If in any doubt, contact the insurer.
Practical mattersPurchase of travel insurance still means that most clinics and hospitals may require payment in advance, or sometimes by incremental payment as various services are rendered.
Stay safeMany insurers specifically exclude travel to countries and areas known to be extremely dangerous.
Connect, in the policy. Most insurers have a 24-hour hotline that you can call.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Travel insurance" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Abasaa, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons