Travel Insurance

Traveling these days is fraught with risks. Delays, cancellations and lost luggage happen all the time. An unforeseen skiing accident or a fall on the stairs can lead to unexpected medical expenses and possible hospitalization away from home. There can be natural and man-made occurrences that can foil the best-laid travel plans and seriously affect your health and personal security.

This is where travel insurance can come to your rescue, to cover you for such occurrences that can crop up when you least expect them. Travel medical insurance will take of your medical charges should you be hospitalized or fall ill in a foreign country.

Travel insurance

The bags are all packed and you are ready to leave. All you look forward to now is the journey to your travel destination. In the unfortunate case of an accident en route the airport, you would have to miss your flight. Other than a wreck of your travel plans, you have to face cancelled tickets and hotel reservations.

Many are of the opinion that travel insurance is an expenditure that is superfluous. In the excitement of shopping for a new bathing suit and hiking shoes, one does not plan on falling ill on a holiday. But when you are spending a lot of money and investing in a holiday, it is prudent to spend a little more and be rest assured that you will be covered in case of unexpected calamities.

Single trip travel insurance is a one -holiday policy that takes care of obvious problems that may crop up during the course of a holiday. Accidents, unexpected illness or stolen baggage or wallet can be covered with this travel insurance policy.

Multi trip travel insurance or annual travel insurance is more value- for- money since it saves you the bother of buying individual policies for two or three trips in a year. Such an insurance policy is ideal for families. Travel insurance is cheaper for a couple. Children under 18 are not much more expensive to bring under the same insurance cover. Advantages of an annual travel insurance scheme over individual policies:

• Saves you the need to take a new plan for every travel plan
  
• Ideal for quick trips across the border and short trips abroad
  
• The rates are generally the most competitive

Sudden illness, bankruptcy, terrorism and similar causes can force you to cancel or interrupt your holiday plans. Trip cancellation insurance coverage saves you the lost deposit amounts that you may have paid for your trip. It also covers the costs associated with cancellation of trip. Non-refundable deposits can be claimed from the travel insurance company from whom you have purchased your trip cancellation insurance policy.

Ski travel insurance allows skiers a hassle-free holiday. It takes care of accidents and falls that may result due to skiing and snowboarding. Generally, ski travel insurance is taken for each trip. An annual travel insurance policy that encompasses skiing and snowboarding can provide coverage at no additional cost. Students who are backpacking their way on a holiday should not ignore their travel insurance needs too. If you are visiting strange and distant lands, you should not be stranded for want of suitable backpackers travel insurance coverage.

Travel health insurance
What happens if you are in a foreign country and you need medical assistance or hospitalization? International travel health insurance can help tide you through this rough period. Government health insurance doesn't take care of all your medical expenses in a foreign country.

International medical insurance should not be ignored by persons who are planning to be away from their native country; such as students, expatriates, businessmen and diplomats. In case you require medication on an existing medical condition, this must be clearly specified when drawing up your travel medical insurance.Before buying your travel insurance policy:

• It is always a safe bet to buy your travel insurance from a reputed insurance company. Buying a travel insurance policy from a fly-by-night operator might be disastrous if your insurance is not honored.
  
  
• Find out the travel insurance policy that suits you best. You can choose from annual policies or policies specifically for backpackers and skiers.
  
  
• You must find out if your credit card provides any insurance coverage on it.
  
  
• Read the fine print on the travel insurance policy so that you are clear about the conditional clauses.

Check up on the deductible amount. As a thumb rule, this deductible should not be more than the cost of your baggage. Find out the extent of medical coverage on your travel insurance policy. You need to check if it covers repatriation, ambulance charges and such facilities. Some policies limit the amount of reimbursement that is paid to you in the event of theft or damage of luggage and equipment. You should become familiar with the procedure of claiming travel insurance - whether you need to pay the bills upfront or whether the policy kicks in immediately.