Travel Insurance: What it Covers and When to Buy it
If travelling to different locations brings a smile and calms your stress, you are a travel enthusiast. Yet, for all the peace travel brings, it demands meticulous planning. At the forefront of your travel checklist should be a Travel Insurance Policy.
While the primary objective of investing in insurance is known by many, understanding the intricacies is necessary. This article aims to solve common queries and help you understand all you need to know about travel insurance plans.
What is travel insurance?
As the name suggests, travel insurance is offered to travellers to protect them financially from unexpected risks that arise during their travel. Like any other insurance plan, a travel plan safeguards the travellers from a wide range of risks encountered when travelling, ranging from baggage loss, health issues, and injuries, among others.
What are the coverages offered under travel insurance?
1. Trip Cancellation and Interruption
One of the primary reasons travellers opt for insurance is to protect their investment in case they need to cancel or cut short their trip due to unforeseen circumstances. Covered reasons may include illness, injury, death of a family member, or even unexpected work-related issues. If you must cancel your trip or return home prematurely, this coverage can reimburse you for non-refundable expenses like flights, accommodations, and tours.
2. Medical Coverage
Medical emergencies can happen anywhere, and your regular health insurance may not cover you while you’re abroad. Insurance offered to travellers often includes medical coverage, which can pay for hospital stays, doctor’s visits, medications, and even medical evacuations in severe cases. This coverage is particularly crucial when travelling to countries with high healthcare costs.
3. Baggage and Personal Belongings
Losing your luggage or having your personal belongings stolen during your trip can be frustrating and costly. This coverage can reimburse lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and personal items. This coverage ensures you can replace essential items and continue your journey with minimal disruption.
4. Trip Delay or Missed Connection
Flight delays and missed connections are common travel hassles. Having this coverage when travelling can reimburse you for additional expenses incurred due to delays, such as accommodation, meals, and transportation. It ensures that unexpected disruptions don’t derail your travel plans.
5. Emergency Assistance
Opting for insurance when travelling sometimes includes 24/7 emergency assistance services. This can be invaluable in navigating unexpected situations, such as locating a nearby hospital, obtaining legal advice, or arranging emergency transportation.
Why buy insurance for travelling?
Here are a few reasons why it is essential to opt for insurance when travelling.
- Paying for a small premium upfront offers protection from risks resulting in hundreds or even thousands of times that cost.
- Opting for insurance when travelling allows travellers to get the best medical treatment.
- Some countries mandate having insurance for visa approval.
When to buy insurance for travelling?
The most optimum time to buy travel insurance is when you purchase your tickets. That is because although the insurance starts once your plane departs, certain coverages ensure protection from instances that can prevent you from going in the first place.
But the best time doesn’t mean everyone purchases the plan as soon as they book their flights. Some people might procrastinate and forget to do so, but they don’t need to fret as some insurers like Niva Bupa allow travellers to purchase insurance even up until they have boarded their flight.
Conclusion
To conclude, while travelling has a lot to offer, it brings a host of risks that can negatively affect your travel experience. Opting for travel insurance provides the protection you need to stave off these risks and travel with peace of mind.
Having insurance while travelling might seem insignificant or unimportant when planning your trip, but in your time of need, having that same insurance can protect you, your family, and your wallet.