How to choose travel insurance
Allow yourself to dream for real. Decide to do something you’ve never done before. And to feel safe. How to choose travel insurance for travel around the world, I tell you in this article.
Planning a vacation is a pleasant but responsible thing. You want to anticipate all the details “on shore” so you can relax while traveling. And think only about new routes, acquaintances and adventures. The rest is taken care of by the insurance company. That is, of course, if you choose the right policy.
Plan and conquer
To travel in America, in theory, all you need is a compulsory health insurance policy. With it you will be accepted in any clinic or emergency room. If you like extreme sports, prefer to travel by moped, or want to make sure your luggage will always be safe, get travel insurance. And add the options you need.
If you are flying abroad, take out travel insurance (TZR). Read carefully what services the basic policy provides and to what extent. Often it only includes treatment abroad and medical transportation. But it can be extended in the same way as travel insurance.
Before you buy, find out if the policy includes treatment from Covid-19. If you took out insurance before the coronavirus was declared a pandemic (before March 12, 2020), it may not include the new disease. Some insurance companies include Covid-19 diagnosis and treatment in the policy, similar to any infectious disease. And therefore they do not update the insurance conditions. Others prescribe the terms of treatment for coronavirus with a separate line. There is no single solution, so it is better to contact the insurance manager in advance and clarify the details.
Find out and choose
No matter what you decide to do on vacation, you don’t want to overpay for insurance. If you do not plan to spend all ten days of vacation in Turkey riding a banana and you do not have chronic illnesses, you can choose the basic insurance. This is the most budget option, but if necessary, you will use the basic set of services. Such insurance is also suitable for a visa.
Add options
Spending a couple of hours choosing insurance won’t make you a panic ferret. Experienced travelers know that it’s insurance that gives you the confidence and peace of mind that makes even the wildest of vacations. If you’re insured, you can safely explore new horizons, climb the cliffs (also with insurance, but with another!) And swim in the ocean with killer whales. There are so many additional options, you can choose according to your tastes.
- For a trip to the sea, add medical assistance for sunburns.
- For sports, choose a special policy for outdoor activities. Before you buy, find out whether the list includes the sports to which you plan to devote your vacation. Often insurance companies distinguish between active and extreme holidays. If you want to race or dive to the bottom of the ocean, look for “extreme or particularly dangerous sports.
- If you plan to look into the mouth of the highest volcano in Kamchatka or just like to rest in the mountains, choose search and rescue with the help of a helicopter.
- For those who like to ride a moped or motorcycle there is a special option. Add it, but don’t forget to wear a helmet before you ride.
- Chronic illnesses can worsen with a change of climate, so it is better to choose a special item.
- Pregnant women can get help for complications. Companies prefer not to give insurance in the last terms. Therefore, two options are more common: up to 24 weeks or up to 12 weeks.
- If you fear for your suitcase, add luggage insurance. Read the contract carefully: jewelry, expensive equipment, money and documents are often insured separately.
- You can even insure your passport and other documents. If you lose them, the insurance company will reimburse the cost of recovery.
- There is a clause that promises to pay in the event of flight delays of more than 4 hours. The insurance company will pay for the waiting hours and, in some cases, will help you pass the time in the business lounge.
- It is possible to insure against non-departure. For example, if you have already bought a ticket and booked a hotel, but you were not given a visa. Then the insurance company will reimburse the costs for paid services.
- There is an option to compensate for damages if you are attacked by a third party. If you’re going to walk alone in Venezuela, add it.
- Russian insurance companies deny payment if the victim was under the influence of alcohol, drugs or toxic substances. But the German company ERV guarantees help even if an extra glass of wine caused an unpleasant accident.
Follow the checklist
- Start by choosing an assistance company. After all, that’s who you’ll go to and their work will determine the level of help you get. Compare reviews of companies at assistances.info.
- It is better to take insurance without a deductible. Policies with a deductible are inexpensive, but if you have an accident, the savings are unlikely to be justified.
- Carefully study the policies of different insurance companies. For example, here.
- See what events are included in the insurance and what is not. If you are going skiing, and the basic policy does not cover the sport, you can add the option you need.
- If you’re going away for a long time, increase the sum insured to $50,000.
- Take out a policy with a small margin (about a week before and after the vacation). Your flight may be delayed or rescheduled – you’ll be prepared for that.
- You can buy insurance even while you’re traveling. But it is better to take care of it before you travel.
- Take care of your health. And see a dentist regularly. Dental care doesn’t cover cavities, and dentists are expensive anywhere in the world.
