Travel Insurance Coverage Information
You may be offered a travel insurance policy at the time of booking your travel. There are many people who refuse it because they are unclear as to what it is or what it covers. The travel insurance is to cover any medical expenses or financial losses such as money for non refundable payments made as well as many other items you may not expect. Travelers who are travelling internationally or within their own country can purchase travel insurance.
You can purchase travel insurance to cover the exact duration of your trip during booking or for more extensive coverage purchase a continuous policy from a travel insurance company, travel agent, or travel supplier such as a cruise line or tour operator. The insurance policy offered by travel suppliers tends to be less inclusive than those bought from a travel company so be cautious if purchasing through a travel supplier.
There are a variety of travelers that use travel insurance such as the student traveler, leisure traveler, business traveler, cruise traveler, adventure traveler, as well as the international traveler. There are several options that can be included in the travel insurance that will make the policy unique to each traveler who purchases it and allow them to reduce the cost of the policy.
Some of the most common risks that are being covered by travel insurance policies are of course medical expenses, emergency evacuations, accidental death, injury, and disablement benefits, overseas funeral expenses, cancellations of trips, curtailment, delays in departure times, loss, damage or theft of personal possessions including money and travel documentation, delayed baggage for replacement of emergency essentials, legal assistance, and personal liability for rental car damages.
The policies vary widely depending on travel insurance company and travel supplier. The policy can be customized to meet the traveler’s needs and price. There are some companies that will offer insurance to cover any additional trip expenses that may arise.
A separate policy can be purchased to cover any high risk or dangerous sports participation such as rock climbing, sky diving, or skiing as well as one to cover any pre-existing medical conditions like asthma or diabetes. Travel to countries that are known for natural disasters, terrorism acts or have a war status will create the need for a separate policy for travel to the high risk country.
There are certain things that are excluded from your basic insurance policy. In most cases any injury or illness that was brought on by alcohol or drugs, a pre existing illness or condition or war and terrorism will be excluded. Some travel insurance companies will allow you to purchase the separate policy for war and terrorism travel.
During the first trimester of pregnancy most insurance policies will cover the related expenses. Depending on the company the policy and their guidelines it can vary between trimesters as to what is covered and what is not.
Travel insurance can be very helpful with services that are operating 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Emergency travel assistance and concierge service are the two most used services for travel insurance policy holders. You can expect to pay about 5-7% of the total trip cost for the travel insurance policy.
Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Insurance provider who specialises in Travel Insurance.