Travel Insurance

Jun 20 2015

Basics of Travel Insurance

Amongst a wide variety of complicated and confusing financial topics, you also have Travel insurance. This article will throw some light on how travel insurance works, so that you consider a few things before being registered with an insurer. Once you’re aware of the travel insurance details, you’ll know how to keep yourself from issues concerning claims.

You must read through a few basic Travel Insurance articles that analyze coverage features before comparing travel insurance policies. Likewise, you must understand how travel insurance works to be able to avoid future hassles concerning claims.

How Does Travel Insurance Work?

Travel insurance provides a net of safety so that you can purchase coverage for protecting yourself under circumstances when your travel plans are marred by negative influences. It shows a close resemblance with different insurance policies.

Some of the travel insurance must-knows have been described mentioned below –

  • Before your trip gets disrupted, you must buy travel insurance. It’s like protecting your house before it goes on fire by purchasing home insurance.
  • Prior to buying your travel insurance, you must go through the policy papers very carefully. It will give you an idea of what your insurance policy will cover and what it won’t. You may go through the clauses that explain the exclusions to make things easier for you. Make sure that the policy clauses are well understood by you before you sign up.
  • Submitting documentation of your particular issue makes it easier for you to file your claim in case you meet with a problem. It is quite similar to filing an auto insurance claim wherein you’re required to show police reports as proof of the issue.couple_on_beach
  • A reimbursement structure is followed in case of travel insurance like any other form of insurance. You’ll need to bear all expenses upfront in the event of an accident, and you may get it compensated by your insurance service provider whenever you’re claim gets approved.

Travel insurance covers you for evacuation services, medical services, trip cancellation, flight delays and a wide range of other concerns. Comprehensive policies are often bought by those who travel frequently. A wide variety of things are covered by the right comprehensive travel insurance policy such things may include coverage for medical costs (to a certain extent), coverage for loss of baggage and benefits of interruption and cancellation of trips to a minimum level.

Depending on your specific coverage needs, you’ll be able to avail additional travel insurance of various kinds alongside the standalone benefits that you’re enjoying and those falling under your comprehensive coverage. Medical evacuation and pre-existing health condition waivers are some of the popular types of travel insurance that you may use besides your current coverage. Knowing all these travel insurance basics will always help you in the event of a crisis.

By Jonny • Insurance, Travel Insurance • 1 • Tags: ,

Jun 13 2014

Travel Insurance: Does it Cover Stroke?

Bad travel stories are not always only about stolen cameras, shattered expectations, bad reception from locals or tedious flights. Things can get more serious. You might have one of your co-travelers (e.g. mother, father, friend or for that matter any family member) or you yourself falling prey to a serious illness. Imagine how it painful it might be to be to see your travel partner suffering thus, when all you’re supposed to do is to soak in the spirit of a well-earned vacation. Besides the emotional impact, you also need to consider the monetary aspects under such circumstances. One can only reduce the chances of such happenings by taking proper medicines or other timely precautions. But you cannot really expect to guarantee full-proof resistance to such incidents. Additionally, it won’t always be possible for you to fund the necessary medical care while you’re on the move. So it’s prudent to be financially prepared for such circumstances by securing travel insurance.

travel-insurance_2002428bToday, in this post, we’ll put one of the most common but serious diseases suffered by travelers—- stroke— under the scanner. People often fail to realize the importance of securing travel insurance unless they are struck by some sort of disease.

There are some insurance carriers that do not cover people who have suffered from stroke in the past. But stroke is as serious a medical condition as other diseases and it should be imperative for insurance providers to offer similar benefits to stroke patients.

Some facts about travel insurance covering stroke

Some of the insurance providers probably shy away from covering stroke owing to the fact that it’s critical and may lead to other related diseases such as heart attack, diabetes, depression as well as pneumonia. But with the help of better research you might as well be able to find a carrier which meets all your needs.

Getting a travel insurance policy after stroke might be difficult, but not impossible, altogether. If you have had an attack within the last three months (while applying for the insurance) or for that matter, many years ago, you might qualify for the policy, tailored suitably for meeting your needs. However, there are chances of you being rejected for the same if you’re awaiting a surgery or further investigations.

Your physician has to approve of your journey in order for you to qualify for the travel insurance policy.

While disclosing your medical condition to your insurer you need to furnish proper medical certificates to back your claim (that you really had stroke in the past). The company might as well confirm the same from your hospital. You will only qualify once the insurance company is amply sure that you’re speaking the truth.

The insurance will cover all the medical expenses in the event of the policy holder suffering a stroke while on the trip. They will also compensate the money in case you have to cancel the trip owing to the stroke related issues and also offer coverage of your traveling companion’s expenses. This covers the flight and accommodation expenses of the person who’s accompanying you while you’re undergoing treatment in your trip.

Conclusion,

In short, the terms of travel insurance for stroke might differ from company to company. You should seek the ones that suit your needs the most.

 

By Jonny • Finance, Insurance, Travel Insurance • 0 • Tags: , ,

Why You Need Travel Insurance

Oct 27 2012

Why You Need Travel Insurance

Though travelling is usually an extremely positive and fulfilling experience, unfortunately things can sometimes go wrong. For example, in Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs deals with over 25,000 Australians facing difficulties each year – including over 1000 hospitalisations overseas. Not only can unforeseen medical emergencies arise, there are other things to consider: missing flights due to weather or traffic jams, having luggage, money or medication stolen, credit card fraud, and even emergency dental.

Here’s a few things to consider before you buy travel insurance:

Destination: Are you heading off on a romantic island getaway to Bali, or are you heading to New Zealand for some adventure sports with friends?  Perhaps you are heading somewhere for work or as a tourist that is considered more dangerous than elsewhere – most countries will have a list of no-travel or cautious travel zones – currently these would include areas in the Middle East and Africa. Though you should get travel insurance either way, your destination (or destinations!) are key when acquiring insurance. If you’re simply going to be lounging around on the beach and trying out local food, you may be able to get lower risk coverage, whereas if you’re going to be skiing and snowboarding in potentially dangerous conditions, you would be best to get a higher risk policy. It’s also important to note that some travel insurance providers and packages do not include adventure sports or activities like bungee jumping, parasailing or white water rafting at all – so make sure you check aspects like this when choosing coverage.

Are you already covered?: Some private health care companies, particularly in Australia and America, include a certain level of travel insurance – generally to ensure that you will have medical cover overseas. However, if you do have travel insurance through a health provider, ensure you read up on what exactly you are covered for – being covered for medical needs won’t necessarily mean that your insurer will be able to help out if your passport is stolen. You may also be covered if you are travelling for business – many companies will include travel insurance if they are paying for expenses. Usually these will be high coverage policies, but just make sure that you are covered for everything before you head off.

What sort of insurance do you need: Again, this comes down firstly to where you’re travelling – the more dangerous or potentially dangerous the trip, the higher level of coverage you need. Another thing to take into account is your health – or the health of those travelling with you. Are you on any medication, or require constant medical assistance? Are you likely to fall ill, or are you going somewhere where you may easily contract an illness? What age range are you in? Consider all these when choosing a policy. Also consider what type of travelling you are doing – those staying in luxury hotels may be less likely to have bags or wallets stolen than those travelling rough with backpacks and in hostels.

Read the fine print: This can’t be stressed enough! Though it is all too easy to skip over the terms and conditions, and admittedly most of us do in many situations, this is one situation where you should at least skim through it. Things to look out for include cancellation fees – if you’ve already bought travel insurance then cancel your trip, you’re likely not to get the whole amount back. Also ensure that the country (or countries) you are travelling to is covered by the insurance you’re buying – many will exclude ‘dangerous’ or ‘risk’ countries. If you are travelling for business and are carrying large amounts of cash or product, ensure these will be covered. Another thing to consider is the weather conditions at your destination – heading somewhere where it is snowing could more than likely mean flight delays, cancellations, and luggage loss – all of which may or may not be covered by your travel insurance.

Getting travel insurance is simply another vital chore to put on the list before heading off on your trip – just like packing a toothbrush or calling your parents. So do your research online, ask friends and family, talk to your travel agent, and ensure that you find the best policy so that you can have a stress-free trip.

Chloe works on behalf of Bruce Insurance, an Australian company who offer a wide range of business insurance solutions, and have over two decades of specialist insurance broking expertise.

Truth About Travel Insurance

By Jonny • Insurance, Travel Insurance • 0 • Tags: , , , , , ,

10 Reasons Insurance is Worth It

Aug 1 2011

10 Reasons Insurance is Worth It

As much as we hate to, paying insurance is one of the necessary evils in life. Yes, it means the insurance companies are filthy rich – especially those with superior legal teams who know every loophole in the book and therefore avoid payouts at all costs, but without them many people would have no safety net. So, while most of us hate parting with our hard earned cash, paying a monthly sum to a broker that may never have to return a single cent in claims, it is still worth it.

1. Health Insurance

The importance of having health insurance greatly depends where you live in the world and what health system your government currently has in place. Those living in America find it hard to get even basic health care without insurance, which to people in a number of other countries is hard to comprehend. In the UK and Australia, where emergency care is free to all there is often little need for health insurance. However, many choose to opt for health insurance to increase surgery wait times or to be able to choose their centre of care. Australia’s Medicare system is one of the best there is, where people sometimes pay a small fee to cover medical costs while the rest is reimbursed. Of course, there are much less people in the country so the system isn’t quite as overpopulated as somewhere like the UK – which was initially not designed to deal with 70 million people, is straining under the weight of an ever-growing population, so many more are choosing private health care. You are then guaranteed speedier wait and surgery times, so if you have a problem that needs attending to in a timely fashion, it is definitely worth the monthly expense. Of course, most people sign up to health insurance for what may happen, few policies cover existing conditions, or do, but a premium. It is especially useful for people who have known familial linked disorders, like cancer, diabetes, heart disease or stroke.

2. Life Insurance

Amongst the various types of insurance policies available, few people opt for insuring their lives, yet death is one of the few certainties in life. The policies pay a set lump sum on death, but can often cover terminal and critical illness too. It is worthwhile for anyone with dependents or those who share a mortgage; in the event of your death at least your bills will be looked after, taking the financial pressure of your loved ones. Always double check the policy terms;  many life insurance policies will not pay out in the case of suicide or accidental death. And be aware of the differences between life insurance and assurance. Insurance policies may run for a certain term and once payments stop you are no longer covered, whereas Life Assurance offers a guaranteed payment on death whether payments were stopped in the past, or not.

3. Dental Insurance

A visit to the dentist is getting more and more expensive as the years go by. Those lucky enough to live in countries where dental treatment is subsidised rarely appreciate they have it so good. While in many countries, trips to the dentist are a big drain on the bank balance, especially if you have children who need orthodontic treatment. To avoid having to forego dental treatment because of lack of funds paying into a dental plan can help when you need it most. Yes, there are financial plans available through most dentists, but only if the minimum spend is a good few thousand dollars. With dental insurance you can generally claim after each trip.

4. Home Insurance

Whether you own your own house or not, having your contents insured against fire, theft and damage is rarely a waste of cash. When precious possessions are at risk people often don’t think too long about handing over money to insure them. Granted, certain things like photographs and family heirlooms are never replaceable, but in the event of fire, flood or damage it’s always good to know that you’ll be able to start again when the insurance money comes through. A stipulation of renting out your home is to have landlords cover, as well as buildings insurance, which is a good thing, so if a tenant wreaks havoc in the property, your payout may cover repair and refurbishment costs.

5. Disaster Insurance

A relatively new kid on the insurance block, disaster insurance helps protect against certain rare, but financially devastating events and has become a hot topic in sight of recent natural catastrophes. Those living in an earthquake zone, bush fire area or region prone to hurricanes and floods may already have some form of insurance through their home insurance policy, but if not it is a wise choice to look into if you can afford the expense.

6. Credit Card Insurance

Sometimes referred to as credit card repayment protection, card insurance offers help with repayments in various circumstances. Should you become ill or unemployed involuntarily the policy will ensure more than the minimum payment is covered on your card, and if you are permanently disabled or die the cover will pay the full amount of your outstanding bill, usually up to a specified amount. This type of insurance is worthwhile if you’re not inclined to pay off your debts every month, and often includes other features, i.e., some plans offer travel insurance, or car rental insurance if you use your credit card to book, so it depends on your lifestyle whether this type of insurance suits. Just check what each credit card offers when you’re comparing them before you settle on one.

7. Travel Insurance

Few people travel these days without travel insurance, either because they’re very well organised, were offered it when booking their trip, or have been badly marred by past experience and don’t want to have to learn the lesson again! There’s no doubt travel insurance is worth it, even for short trips, as so many variables can go wrong. The only trouble you have is to choose the right policy. Online policies are becoming more and more competitive, and depending where in the world you live there are some great deals on offer that cover all eventualities, including winter sports and diving cover.

8. Car Insurance

In most countries car insurance is compulsory; however, it doesn’t mean that everyone pays it. There are always a few chancers on the road who think they can get away without insurance until there’s an accident. And, more often than not, it’s the people who avoid paying their insurance that end up needing it. If an uninsured driver is involved in a crash and it’s their fault, they get landed with the repair and medical bills, so it’s just not worth the risk unless you fancy yourself wearing a prison uniform.

9. Pet Insurance

Tiddles, man’s best friend, or your duck are expensive little creatures to have around. Illness or injury are sure things during their lifetime, and vet’s bills are rarely cheap, so taking out some form insurance is wise to cover costs when things go wrong. Of course, like any policy you may be paying a lot of money and never need to claim, and there are probably many other policies you’d prefer to pay towards if you’re not exactly rolling in it, so it’s not for everyone. But if you’re one of those people who fall in love with every stray on the street or would want do anything possible to keep your pet alive should they contract a terminal illness, then maybe pet insurance is worth it for you.

10. Funeral Insurance

It’s not something people often plan for, after all, most people have no idea when they’re going to die, they only know it will be some day, so paying out a monthly premium for funeral costs seems overly cautious. Yet, the average cost of a funeral is thousands of dollars, and not something we normally save towards. However, there are some people who could still benefit, such as the infirm and elderly. Those who know their time to move on is not far away will be comforted in the fact their funeral costs will be covered when the times comes.

Don’t Forget to Read the Fine Print

Remember, before signing up to any insurance policy think long and hard as to whether you really need the cover. Those who sell insurance depend on the commission from the policies they sell to make a living, which is why they will try their hardest to get you to sign up to their policy, often using as many scare tactics as they can muster to appeal to your sensitive side. Stand strong and only sign an agreement once you read the terms and conditions, including all the tiny fine print – as boring as it is, it’s incredibly important, otherwise you may find when it comes to making a claim you weren’t insured for what you thought. Read, read and triple read before signing anything.

By Jonny • Car Insurance, Health, Home Insurance, Insurance, Life, Travel Insurance • 2 • Tags: , , , , , ,

Four Things You Didn’t Know About Travel Insurance

Jan 27 2011

Four Things You Didn’t Know About Travel Insurance

As a traveler, you’re likely often faced with the option to purchase travel insurance. Many of us pass it up, giving any number of excuses – it’s too expensive, it’s not relevant, it won’t be used since we aren’t missing this trip for anything. Yet, the truth is that many people pass up buying travel insurance simply because they don’t understand their options or how to make the most of the insurance. Here are things you probably didn’t know about travel insurance that you should consider the next time you have the option to purchase it:

Concierge service is often part of the deal.

You might be willing to risk having to paying for emergency medical care or replacing items in delayed baggage, but the money isn’t the only reason you should consider travel insurance. Many companies selling travel insurance have an awesome concierge service, so with a single phone call you can find the help you need quickly, even if you’re stranded in a foreign country. They can help you find a new route if you miss your flight, send a car for you if you’re sick at the hotel room, and otherwise assist when your plans go awry. This is especially helpful if you’re traveling to a country where you don’t speak the native language.

You can save money on travel insurance if you travel often.

Most of the time when we’re asked to purchase travel insurance, it’s while booking a specific trip. If you travel often, however, you can save tons of money by purchasing annual insurance instead. Many annual travel insurance plans do not cover you if you cancel a specific trip, but you can add that individually as you book if needed.

Travel insurance usually covers weather situations when nothing else does.

If your vacation is affected by weather, there’s usually nothing anyone can do to help you. Airlines, cruise companies, and other travel services rarely often refunds and sometimes may not even be obligated to offer you future services, like a later flight. Even if they can, you might not be able to reschedule your vacation. Because no one controls the weather, if you don’t have travel insurance, you’ll probably be out of luck.

If you shop around, travel insurance is quite affordable.

Buying travel insurance can be expensive if you purchase it as you’re buying your tickets. Travel insurance is available from a number of sources, though. Often, the insurance offered as you’re checking out after purchasing plane tickets or booking your hotel room online isn’t the best deal out there. By shopping around, you can find fantastic insurance prices, allowing you to purchase a package when you at first may have thought it to be too expensive. In any case, a travel insurance plan sure beats thousands of dollars in expenses if something goes wrong during your vacation or business trip.

Allison works with TravelInsurance.org, where you can go to learn more about when and how to purchase travel insurance.

By Jonny • Insurance, Travel Insurance • • Tags: , ,

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