Travel is always fun and there’s nothing better than going on adventures, seeing new sites, and making memories. With that said, there's always the risk of an unexpected accident occurring that sadly can turn your dream vacation into a horrible nightmare. Despite this, based on a recent survey, only 38% of travelers purchased travel insurance, which leaves the rest wide open to serious financial trouble. To help stay protected, learn what travel insurance is, what it covers, and how it will keep you protected while abroad, or even when travelling domestically.
What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
Depending on the type of travel insurance you get, your policy may protect you in a variety of situations, or even a combination of them:
1. Medical Emergencies During Your Trip
Travel insurance may cover various expenses for medications, surgeries, and hospital visits if you suffer an injury while travelling. This is an important consideration for countries that have high medical costs or if you are travelling to remote locations with limited services. Also, if you find yourself injured on someone else’s property, proving premise liability in court can be a challenge. However, the right kind of travel insurance takes care of this for you.
2. Lost Baggage on Route
Some types of travel insurance also provide you with compensation for any damaged or lost personal items during your trip, but this typically only covers up to a certain amount so review any policy ahead of time to ensure it’s adequate coverage.
3. A Trip Cancellation
The right type of travel insurance can also reimburse you for any type of non-refundable expense if you have to cancel your trip due to injury or a covered illness. This helps to ensure that you don't lose any money on tours, hotels, or flights that you may have booked well in advance.
4. An Emergency Evacuation
If you experience a severe accident or are in a country that experiences a natural disaster, you may require emergency evacuation home or to a medical facility. Travel insurance can cover this as well, but coverage limits vary drastically so ready any policy carefully. Medical evacuation is a key part of many travel insurance plans, covering the cost of safe transport to a facility that can provide the necessary level of care when local options are limited.
The Types of Insurance Coverage to Look for When Travelling
There are various types of travel insurance that you can purchase, as evident by the above, and which one you get depends on your specific needs and destination. Below are the main types of travel insurance coverage to keep an eye out for:
Medical Coverage Insurance
The primary type of coverage to consider is medical insurance, which covers you if you are injured during your vacation. This type of coverage most-often includes any surgeries, hospital stays, doctor visits, medications, and more. High-quality travel insurance will ensure that you get prompt medical care when in need.
Emergency Evacuation Insurance
As covered, another type of niche travel insurance to think about investing in is emergency evacuation insurance. This type of insurance generally covers medically equipped flights, air ambulances, and the required personnel and equipment during transport. Those who choose this type of coverage are those often visiting countries with spread-out medical facilities or those areas prone to disasters.
Accidental Death or Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
Although it's not something that you’d like to consider when going on a vacation, accidental deaths and dismemberments do happen. In the event of a severe injury or death while you are travelling, accidental death or dismemberment insurance will provide you and your family with compensation. This may cover loss of income, rehabilitation costs, and funeral expenses.
Liability Coverage Insurance
Although rare, you may accidentally injure someone else during your travels. Liability coverage is important in this case as it will help cover any legal costs you might incur. If you're participating in sports, going to crowded attractions, driving rental cars, or doing anything else where you may put other people's safety at risk, consider investing in liability coverage.
Choosing the Right Travel Insurance for Your Trip
To find the right type of travel insurance for your needs, always consider your personal health, any planned activities, and the intended destination. For instance, if you're travelling abroad and engaging in high-risk activities, you'll want broader coverage than if you are popping over to your neighbouring state. You'll also want comprehensive medical coverage if you're travelling to a country that has high medical costs or if you have pre-existing conditions that put you at greater risk of contracting something or being injured.
Protect your health while travelling
Travel insurance is essential for protecting you against the financial consequences of unexpected accidents while on a trip. Always consider the risks of your travels, specifically within the destination you are visiting, before embarking, and make sure that you're prepared for any event.
Even if an accident occurs, the right kind of travel insurance keeps you protected which is why it’s so crucial!
ABOUTME
We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.
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