|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| Forms/Documents |
Travel insurance and vacations
April 2003
 |
|
Purchasing a travel insurance to cover you for your vacation is an important step for keeping you healthy and happy. However be sure that your policy covers you in the country or countries of your destination |
 |
|
As the summer vacations approach, it is important to think about all aspects of travel and holidays issues. Vacations can be very costly and therefore having a proper insurance can save you from a lot of troubles and money loss |
There are various types of travel insurance covering a variety of risks. It is important that you read and examine thoroughly your travel insurance contract as risks covered may differ among various insurance providers.
Trip cancellation insurance allows the reimbursement in case you have to cancel the trip if the tour operator or cruise line goes out of business. Additionally your insurance may have provisions for coverage in case you have to cancel or interrupt your travel because of sickness, a death in the family, an injury, or other calamity listed in the policy. Insurance can take care of you as well in cases of flight delays and airlines have to take more responsibility if your insurance intervenes in case something goes wrong.
You should as well foresee that in the case of you or a family member becoming seriously ill or seriously injured or in the unfortunate event of a family member death during the trip or holydays, you might need repatriation expenses cover. Some policies may as well provide for reimbursement for the unused portion of the vacation.
Emergency medical assistance provides insurance and medical assistance for you and your family or others traveling with you.
| If you have to stay for prolonged time in a hospital of a foreign country, if you have to be airlifted from a remote place where an accident took place, or if you have to be flown back home or even transferred to a first rate hospital adequate for the needs in your case, you will feel very relieved if you have made an emergency medical assistance insurance policy. |
Additionally certain policies provide for the dispatching of medicaments and travel and accommodation of a member of the family in case of hospitalization of injured or ill person.
Beware that in some cases, commercial airlines require for very sick passengers to travel on a stretcher with a doctor. In this eventuality you might have to buy more seats, may be 10 or more for this arrangement. Such a situation means lots of expenses that you will be called to pay.
It is therefore imperative before you buy an emergency medical assistance insurance policy, to check thoroughly with your insurance provider and your own health insurance, what kind of health insurance you are entitled when traveling abroad and what are the financial limits. Be sure to make clear and know if you are covered for being flown back home and alternatively or additionally, to a country where ideal care corresponding to your needs may be provided.
Emergency medical assistance schemes may provide sometimes a variety of coverages if you or a family member dies on vacation or during travel. Check as well your life insurance plan or your credit card provisions as there are often travel related services and coverage.
It is important that you check well all your insurance policies such as life plan, homeowner's policy, credit card provisions and other financial arrangements that you have made. Discuss these with your insurer in order to have a clear picture of your individual situation and avoid duplication or omissions for important areas that you need coverage.
Luggage insurance or personal effects coverage provides coverage if your luggage and or personal belongings are lost, stolen or damaged during the trip or vacation. Before you purchase such a policy you should find out what financial compensation you may obtain for either finding and dispatching your lost luggage or how much insurance the airline or tour operator provides for your belongings. Check as well your homeowners policy for eventual provisions for off-premises theft, in case that your luggage has been stolen.
In case that you carry with you, when on vacation or while traveling, jewelry, sporting gear or expensive electronic equipment think that it might be interesting and cost effective for you, to make an additional provision to your policy for insuring these expensive items.
| Purchasing a travel insurance to
cover you for your vacation is an important step for keeping you healthy
and happy.
However be sure that your policy covers you in the country or countries of your destination. Talk to your insurer to help you decide what coverage you will need according to the type of your travel (adventure safari, tour, Disneyland, etc) and the local conditions where you are going (developing countries, presence or not of particular diseases in that part of the world). |
For travelers with special needs your insurer and travel agent can assist you with any personalized plans and services.
Read your print of your policy carefully, examine other policies as well and ask questions to clarify important points.
An important feature which may be considered essential are the 24-hour phone assistance in your native language or English if you like it more, preferably toll free. Another important feature to consider is whether the plan you are buying provides that the insurer makes a direct, immediate payment to the medical provider.
Bibliography:
| Our Company | Products | Management | Other Services | Branches | What's New | Contact Us |