It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance before travelling outside of the country. Travel insurance provides you with financial protection and peace of mind in case unexpected events occur during your trip, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost or stolen luggage, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Without travel insurance, you will be responsible for covering the costs associated with these events, which can be significant and potentially ruin your trip. With travel insurance, however, you can be reimbursed for eligible expenses, up to the limits outlined in your policy and policy coverage.
When purchasing travel insurance, it’s important to carefully review the policy’s coverage and exclusions to ensure that it meets your specific needs. Travel insurance policies are legally binding contracts, and it’s up to the traveller to read and understand the terms before making a purchase.
There are several types of travel insurance available for people interested in travelling abroad. Some of the most common types of travel insurance include:
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
This type of insurance provides coverage for non-refundable expenses in the event that you need to cancel your trip before departure or interrupt your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or death of a family member.
Medical/health insurance
This type of insurance provides coverage for medical expenses incurred during your trip, including emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, and medical evacuation.
Evacuation/repatriation insurance
This type of insurance provides coverage for emergency medical evacuation or repatriation to your home country in the event of a medical emergency.
Baggage insurance
This type of insurance provides coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and personal belongings during your trip.
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
This type of insurance provides coverage in the event of accidental death or dismemberment during your trip.
Adventure/sports insurance
This type of insurance provides coverage for adventure and sports activities that may not be covered by standard travel insurance policies, such as skiing, snowboarding, or scuba diving.
It’s important to carefully review the terms and conditions of each policy to determine what is covered and what is excluded. Additionally, some policies may offer a combination of coverage types, while others may offer more specialized coverage for specific activities or destinations. Here are some key steps and criteria to consider when picking travel insurance for travelling outside of the United States:
Determine your needs
Consider your destination, length of travel, and activities you’ll be doing to determine what kind of coverage you’ll need. For example, if you’ll be participating in adventure sports, you’ll want to make sure your policy covers those activities.
Check coverage limits
Look for a policy with high coverage limits for medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and lost or stolen baggage. Make sure that the limits are sufficient for the country you’ll be travelling to, as some countries have higher medical costs than others.
Check exclusions
Review the policy’s exclusions carefully to make sure that you’re not purchasing a policy that won’t cover you in certain circumstances. For example, some policies may exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions or certain activities.
Read reviews and ratings
It is highly recommended to look for reviews and ratings of the insurance provider and policy to see what other travellers have experienced and if they recommend the policy.
Compare prices
You should always compare prices and coverage from multiple insurance providers to ensure that you’re getting the best value for your money.
Check customer service
Look for a provider that offers 24/7 customer service, as well as a clear claims process, in case you need to file a claim while travelling.
Check travel alerts and warnings
It is very important before you purchase a policy, check travel alerts and warnings from the U.S. State Department or other reliable sources to ensure that the country you’ll be travelling to is safe and that there are no travel advisories in place. Some insurance policies may exclude coverage in countries with travel advisories.
Following steps can help you choose a travel insurance policy that provides the coverage you need and the peace of mind you want while travelling out of your country. What are you waiting for! Do not wait until the last minute to purchase travel insurance, which can limit the coverage options available to you.
Have a safe travel.
