If you are planning a trip, you must have heard something about travel insurance. Well, are you curious? If yes, then this is the right place to start resolving your curiosity about travel insurance policies. This blog will give you the most essential information about travel insurance you need to know before your trip to make the most of it.
How Does Travel Insurance Protect You?
Generally, it is always suggested to get travel insurance after planning your trip. This is suggested because, in case your trip gets cancelled for some reason or you miss your flight, you can immediately get coverage for the loss incurred, thus giving you prompt financial protection.
Also, you may get your travel insurance online from any reputable insurance provider you find suitable. If you do adequate research, you will find a plan that will protect you in the following ways and at an affordable rate:
- It will keep you protected from costly medical bills.
- You can reclaim it if you face a delay or interruption in flight.
- You can reclaim flights that you cancelled yourself.
- It will spare you any baggage-related headaches.
What are the Types of Travel Insurance?
Depending on your individual scenario, you can choose among the following types of travel insurance to protect your trip:
What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
Travel insurance covers a wide range of scenarios. It can be divided into four parts: belongings cover, medical cover, trip cover, and add-ons.
Belongings Cover:
- Delayed Baggage
- Loss of Passport
- Lost Baggage
- Return of Minor Child
- Financial Emergency Cash
- Illness Expenses
- Accidental Expenses
- Hospital Daily Allowance
- OPD Expenses
- Physiotherapy Expenses
- Compassionate Visits
- Accidental Death
- Evacuation (Catastrophe and Medical)
- Repatriation of Mortal Remains
- Permanent Disability
- Emergency Stay and Extension
- COVID-19 Cancellation
- Flight Rescheduling
- Flight Delay
- Missed Flight
- Flight Cancellation
- Missed Connection
- Bounced Booking
- Adventure Sports Injuries
Medical Cover:
Trip Cover:
Add-ons:
What Does Travel Insurance Might Not Cover?
One can divide the exclusion into 3 parts. They are discussed below:
Legal Exclusions:
- Attempted suicide, suicide, or other self-inflicted injuries
- Events influenced by hallucinogens, alcohol, drug use, or any other intoxicant
- If the insured person gets involved in illegal activities, breaks the law during their trip
- Injuries resulting from a willingly participated hazardous activity
- For pre-existing diseases and issues related to those
- If the disability report (to support a claim) is prepared by a close relative
- Pregnancy and related medical procedures
- Entering a country without possessing a valid visa
- Remaining in a country beyond the duration permitted by your visa
- Visiting a country solely for medical consultation or treatment
- Travelling despite receiving a terminal medical diagnosis
- Ignoring your doctor's advice and travelling
Medical Exclusions:
Travel Exclusions:
How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance Policy?
Follow these tips to get the most suitable travel insurance at affordable rates:
1. Duration of Policy
If you are opting for a policy, make sure to buy one that covers the entire trip duration. If your plan only covers a week and your trip lasts only a day longer than that, any scenario on the last day would not be covered.
2. Coverage
Checking the coverage is essential before buying any insurance plan. Even if you are buying it from reputable insurers like ACKO, you should check if the coverage suits your specific needs.
3. Type of Policy
As you already know, there are various types of travel insurance plans available that cater to different travel needs. For example, travel plans and their prices would differ significantly if you plan only a solo trip this year or if you have several trips lined up throughout the year.
4. Claim Limit
Before you buy a policy, you should always check to see how much you can claim. It is better to be safe than sorry. Ensuring the maximum amount that you can receive from the insurer after a claim is high enough is essential for a successful trip.
5. Type of Trip and Activity
There are various plans for various trips, and you should choose a plan that covers the type of trip you are planning. For example, if your trip includes adventure activities like paragliding or water rafting, make sure that your plan covers it.
6. Exclusion
Keeping the exclusions in mind is the key to having a hassle-free claim process with no surprises. Exclusions will give you an idea of what you should not be involved in during a trip to avoid claim rejection.
7. Policy Documents
Reading the terms and conditions of your plan thoroughly will provide you with a better understanding of your plan.
8. Price
You need to shop around for the best deal to ensure you are getting the best policy. Do not just go with the first exciting policy you find.
The Bottom Line
By understanding the policy duration, claim limits, coverage options, and exclusions, you can choose the right plan and make the most out of the trip you are planning. Make an informed decision by comparing travel insurance plans from reputable insurers and going through the terms and conditions of each policy.