Whenever you plan to travel outside the country, you lose many protections you have at home. For example, your health insurance likely won't cover any issues which happen to you while you are away. That means having travel insurance can literally be a lifesaver. To avoid the pitfalls of having no protection, read on to find out more.
There are five types of travel insurance: coverage for when your trip is interrupted or cancelled, health, baggage, evacuation and insurance for your flight. You can add supplemental coverage for identity theft or other concerns. Most insurance is bundled and you don't buy just one type. If you want it all, comprehensive insurance covers all of the bases.
When you are choosing between insurance companies, you need to compare the coverage you get, not the price of the policy. While you may pay less with Company A, you may end up not covered in many common situations. You want to choose the coverage which makes you feel comfortable, and then pay the price it costs to have that peace of mind.
When you are doing your research, ask lots of questions of the insurer. You have to know exactly what will be covered and what won't be. If anything in the policy is unclear to you, ask for clarification. Get a written copy of the policy ahead of paying your premiums to ensure you know what you are getting. Once you understand your options, you will be better able to choose a policy.
Tell the insurer absolutely everything about your trip. Include any plans you have for visiting attractions, where you plan to eat, how you plan to get there, how you will travel once there, and any medical conditions your family has. He will be better able to offer you the coverage you need if he understands every detail. For example, if you don't drive, there is no reason for you to have insurance which covers car accidents!
Ask people you know who have traveled recently about who they used for insurance. If they had an easy time dealing with the company, you probably will too. If you don't know anyone who travels, check online for reviews of the companies available. While these reviews need to be taken with a grain of salt, they will at least be a good reference point to start from.
If you travel a lot, consider getting an annual plan. That will leave you insured at all times of the year, saving you the time it takes to call the company, have the plan put in place, and also saving you money as you won't have to pay the sum every time you travel.
Without travel insurance, you are leaving yourself open to heartache. You don't want to end up injured and then unable to afford to be brought back home where treatment is better able to help you, or have to face any other disaster without any assistance. Get the insurance you need by following these tips today.