International Travel Insurance

If one visits different countries around the world and needs to travel often, it is important to plan the trips every year with months in advance. Early planning would help the person mitigate a number of challenges and risks while travelling to the unknown or new places. Hence, it is in one’s favour to know in detail about the international travel insurance of respective countries where he plans to travel. This is also important because overseas travel insurance for countries such as the US or Canada have different premiums and requirements. Asian countries require cheaper international travel insurance.

A look at Overseas Travel Insurance

Travelling to US or Canada: A travel insurance plan may be customised for the trip to the US or Canada. Interestingly, the coverage can be extended for a year along with the convenience of cashless hospitalisation, reimbursements for the loss of passports, baggage etc., and delayed or missed flights.

Travelling to Asian Countries: In case a person has opted to travel to an Asian country, his cost of foreign travel insurance may be less depending upon his length of stay. Other elements remaining the same, insurance companies often add some elements to the cover. For example, some operators add usual OPD charges too other than hospitalisation. Some even offer a business class in case of a flight delay or cancellation.

Travelling to the African continent: While most elements remain the same, the insurance service partner may warn the traveller against the cover in case he is going to any risk-prone regions in the African continent.

What can be done before travel?

Conduct your own research: To travel to a particular country, the person should conduct thorough research for flight bookings, best accommodations and hotels. Likewise, he can also do some research on the best available international travel insurance. Comparing the rates and checking for the extent of the coverage will help him in reaching the final choice matching his requirements. One can also read blogs, join discussion forums to know more on the settlement claims and response rates of various insurance service operators.

Consulting friends and fellow travellers: Another way to do this is talk to friends, relatives and fellow travellers. Their previously done research may come handy and useful. This way the tourist can save a lot of time on planning.

Consulting to a trusted tour planner or advisor: A trusted tour planner or advisor are involved with customers on a daily basis and know better than common travellers. It is equally best to engage with a travel operator and seek their guidance and assistance.

What should be kept in mind?

While one may have selected an insurance provider, he should go with the one that has extensive coverage and is a licensed operator in the country. Other than this, one can buy international travel insurance online or through an offline mode. Buying online is cheaper than buying the same plan offline.