ATK
New Delhi [India], February 22: Travelling is one of the greatest joys in life, as it gives you a much-needed break from a monotonous life filled with lifetime memories. However, the pandemic has brought the world to a halt, making it difficult for travellers to travel freely.
Nevertheless, the situation has improved significantly over the past couple of years. The pandemic has set an example among travellers of the significance of opting for insurance when they are travelling. This article will discuss how travel insurance will protect you and your companions while you take your much-needed break.
What is Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is a policy that offers financial coverage to you when you are travelling to any international or domestic destination. It usually covers your travel itinerary from the start date of your trip to the end date. The policy assists you financially in cases like medical emergencies, loss of baggage or passport, trip delays, flight rescheduling, etc.
In short, travel insurance protects you and your companions from unexpected situations during the trip. It compensates for the financial stress you may suffer due to these situations on your journey.
What are the Benefits of Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance can save your finances in unforeseen situations, giving you peace of mind while travelling. Here are a few advantages to opting for travel insurance while planning your dream holiday.
1. Offers Medical Coverage
The medical expenses on your trip can add a financial burden, resulting in financial losses. Hence, travel insurance will ensure coverage if you or your companions get sick or injured during the trip.
Travel insurance will cover expenses like doctor visits, hospital stays and more. Moreover, it helps you focus on improving without worrying about the costs.
2. Covers Loss of Baggage
There are chances that the airline may misplace your bags. It will result in increasing your trip's budget, causing financial losses. In such scenarios, travel insurance will cover the losses arising from baggage loss.
Furthermore, it covers the cost of replacing your belongings, ensuring a smooth vacation.
3. Mandatory in Some Countries
If you plan to visit Schengen Nations, you must have travel insurance to apply for a visa. Without valid travel insurance, you cannot apply for a visa for these countries.
Moreover, these countries made travel insurance mandatory to protect travellers from unexpected events and prevent them from suffering financial losses. It also ensures a smooth visa application process in these countries.
4. Offers Trip Cancellation Coverage
There may be a situation when you have to cancel, modify or change your trip plans. It will be frustrating to bear the cost of these changes or cancellations as they result in financial losses.
Hence, travel insurance can help you in such an event. If you have travel insurance, you can claim for the cancellation of the trip, and the insurance company will cover the expenses, saving your day.
5. Provides Emergency Assistance
When you are on a trip, facing emergencies can be daunting. Hence, that is when travel insurance will come into play. It provides emergency assistance to policyholders 24x7.
Moreover, it allows them to find medical care, navigate unfamiliar situations and arrange transportation, ensuring proper safety and security. In short, with the right policy coverage, you can financially protect yourself and your companions while travelling internationally.
6. Offers Financial Help
Nothing is more terrifying than losing your travel funds or passport while on vacation. It can be a major setback and lead to many unforeseen scenarios. However, if you want help from the concerned authorities in that country, they can charge a huge amount.
Hence, purchasing travel insurance will ensure that the insurance company will pay for these expenses, and you do not have to pay anything.
7. Covers Personal Liability
It is difficult to understand the laws of the destination you are travelling to. In case of an accident, you may injure someone or damage their property, resulting in paying hefty compensation to the concerned party.
If you have travel insurance, it will cover these charges for the third party and ensure that you do not have to pay any compensation.
What are the Types of Travel Insurance?
There are different types of travel insurance, which you can choose according to your travel requirements. They are as follows:
1. Domestic Travel Insurance
As the name suggests, it is travel insurance that you can purchase while travelling within the country. It ensures you can travel and explore the undiscovered areas of the country without worry.
2. International Travel Insurance
International travel insurance is a type of travel insurance you can buy while travelling to any foreign land to explore its beauty and diversity. Some countries make it mandatory for travellers to avail of travel insurance when applying for a visa.
3. Single-Trip Travel Insurance
A common type of travel insurance offers coverage for a single trip. Single-trip travel insurance is suitable for travellers who travel once a year, and it also provides all the necessary coverage.
4. Multi-Trip Travel Insurance
Multi-trip travel insurance is for frequent travellers, usually offering coverage for the next year. It generally covers 180 days per trip and covers international and domestic destinations.
5. Group Travel Insurance
It is ideal for travellers travelling in a group, as it lowers the cost of opting for individual travel insurance. Moreover, it covers all travellers in a group and is a valuable way to protect yourself and your companions during a trip.
6. Student Travel Insurance
Many students want to travel abroad to pursue higher education. Hence, they must opt for student travel insurance to cover the possibility of unforeseen circumstances during their stay in the foreign country.
7. Senior Citizen Travel Insurance
As the name suggests, it is a type of travel insurance for people over the age of 60. It offers coverage to senior citizens while they are travelling internationally or domestically.
How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance Policy?
When it comes to choosing the best travel insurance policy, you have to keep the following factors in mind when selecting the plan that aligns with your requirements:
1. Know Your Coverage Requirements
The foremost step in choosing the right travel insurance policy is knowing your coverage needs. You must consider the type of trip you are taking, the duration of your vacation and the activities you are indulging in. These will help you choose the right type of coverage so that you do not face any financial problems during the vacation.
2. Check the Claim Limit
Before purchasing travel insurance, check the policy's claim limit. It will help you know the maximum amount the insurance company will cover when you make a claim. Moreover, you must ensure the claim amount is higher according to your needs so that you can tackle financial emergencies.
3. Choose the Type of Policy
There are several types of travel insurance policies available, like single trip insurance, multiple trip insurance and annual trip insurance. If you are taking one trip per year, a single-trip policy will be ideal, as an annual trip policy is best for frequent travellers. Hence, you must make sure you choose the right type of policy for your travel requirements.
4. Consider the Coverage
One of the significant things you must consider before buying travel insurance is the coverage it provides. You must ensure that it provides coverage for trip cancellations, medical expenses, emergency evacuation and loss of funds. Furthermore, you must check what the policy does not cover to make an informed decision.
5. Compare the Prices of Policies
You must check various policies and compare their prices instead of choosing the first policy you see. Comparing the policy prices helps you get the best deal according to your requirements. It is better to save some funds while getting the best coverage. You must also focus on the insurer's reputation and customer service while choosing the right plan.
6. Look for Additional Coverage
Several travel insurance policies offer additional coverage, such as 24x7 emergency assistance, coverage for political evacuation, adventure sports and terrorism. You must check that the selected policy provides additional coverage, which is crucial when travelling.
7. Read the Terms and Conditions
When you purchase travel insurance, you must read the fine print carefully. You must understand the policy's terms and conditions, such as the inclusions, exclusions, limitations and deductibles. It helps you know what you are signing for, and if you have any queries, you must contact the insurer immediately.
8. Consider the Deductibles
A deductible is an amount you must pay before the insurance company starts to cover the costs. If you opt for a policy with lower deductibles, you will have to pay higher premiums. On the other hand, opting for a higher deductibles policy results in lower premiums. Hence, you must consider how much you are willing to pay out of yourself before choosing a plan.
How to Buy Travel Insurance Online?
Buying travel insurance online is easy, as you can follow these simple steps to purchase travel insurance now:
1. Visit the Insurer's Webpage
Open the website of the preferred insurer, go through their travel section and enter the country you want to visit. Enter the details of yourself, your companions and your travel dates.
2. Choose the Sum Insured
Select the amount insured that will be adequate to cover your financial losses during emergencies.
3. Customise the Insurance
Customise the policy according to your travel requirements, as it enables you to pay only for the coverage you want.
4. Get the Quote
Upon selecting the coverage that meets your requirements, you will receive a quote of the fees you must pay for the policy.
5. Make Payment
Once you are pleased with the policy and fees, you must make payment to get your travel insurance coverage instantly.
Bottom Line
Overall, online travel insurance is highly recommended, as it acts as a financial shield during emergencies in foreign lands. Travel insurance offers coverage to policyholders during their vacation and ensures they enjoy a worry-free vacation with their family or friends. Nevertheless, you must conduct thorough research and compare different insurers to choose a policy that aligns with your requirements and offers adequate coverage.
(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)