With so many travel insurance providers available to the savvy consumer, it is sometimes difficult to know who to trust and what questions to ask. However, doing your research is an important step in making sure that not only are you working with a reputable organization, but that the travel insurance coverage you are getting is suited to your specific needs. The following are a few key questions to ask your insurance provider before setting out on your travels:
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
If you have a pre-existing medical condition or if there is pre-existing political, ecological, or social strife in the area you are visiting, your travel insurance may not cover them.
Are sports/adventure injuries covered?
If you are going to be participating in high-risk activities (for example, mountain climbing or playing sports), your policy might not cover any injuries sustained during their involvement. However, for an additional loading many providers do offer coverage for these activities.
Are acts of terrorism or political turmoil covered?
If an act of terrorism cuts your trip short or stops it from occurring, it is important to be covered for these particular contingencies.
What happens if one of the businesses I’m booked with goes out of business?
If you are going on a cruise and pay for it in advance, there is always the possibility of the cruise line, airline or hotel going bankrupt before your trip even starts. Some insurers will may also not honor a claim in the travel agency (or distributor if you booked your travel insurance online) you booked your policy through goes bankrupt.
What is the cost?
Most of the time, travel insurance costs anywhere from 3 percent to 8 percent of the total trip cost. Things like your age, the length of the trip, your destination, and the time of travel can have a influence on the total price. Group rates or annual cover can bring that price down.
How long will I have to wait to get my baggage back?
Most travel insurance policies cover baggage misplacement or loss. However, it is important to make sure that any attempts to retrieve your luggage will be timely.
How long will I have to wait for reimbursement in the event of a cancellation?
It’s a good idea to know the timelines for refunds and other money matters.
What is the limit on health care coverage?
Like regular medical insurance, travel insurance typically has a maximum amount of health care coverage. Know the financial limits of your policy. You might also want to ask about up-front costs or deductibles.
In the event of an emergency, is assistance provided 24 hours?
Needing assistance (for a medical emergency, a cancellation, or even a baggage issue) in the middle of the day in one country might mean needing coverage in the middle of the night in the place you bought your coverage.
How do I go about getting care if there is a medical emergency?
Does your have resources available to direct you to the best hospitals and healthcare facilities in your destination? How easy are those resources to access?
Do my kids need separate travel insurance policies?
Your children may or may not be covered by your travel insurance. Find the best way to get your whole family covered.
Please note that this list is not comprehensive. These questions are best used for opening dialogues with your travel insurance provider to understand the details of your particular policy. Always be sure to read the fine print and be wary of any company that can’t or won’t answer your questions.
By: David J Wright
About the Author:
The above has been written for Travel Insurance Cover (TIC). For book Australian travel insurance, or for further information and tips on booking policies for business and personal travel, please visit the TIC website www.travelinsurancecover.com.au.