Travel insurance is not a single-size-fits-all kind of insurance. There are several types of travel insurance. Some of them are travel medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance, flight insurance, and evacuation insurance.
The travel insurance plan that makes most sense for one person may not be the best choice for another. The basic types of insurance are: trip cancellation insurance and travel health insurance. Other additional coverage can also be purchased, depending on the situation.
As soon as you finalize your tickets, you might want to purchase trip cancellation insurance. This plan usually also comprises trip interruption insurance, which covers the financial loss if you need to return earlier than planned. Generally, the plan covers specific reasons and you are reimbursed if the cancellation or interruption is due to an approved reason.
Your trip cancellation insurance only reimburses you for covered reasons. You will likely be covered in case of the demise or serious illness of your traveling companion or an immediate family member, if your primary residence is destroyed, or if Uncle Sam calls upon you for jury duty or military duty. Some plans will also cover the trip if you lose your job or weather conditions force you to cancel your trip.
Trip cancellation insurance provides maximum coverage if bought as soon as the tickets are, with research on prices and coverage done beforehand. For trips that feature substantial non-refundable costs such as those of accommodation, trip cancellation insurance is almost a necessity. Obviously, last-minute trips are less likely to be changed or cancelled.
Travel medical insurance is the other main type of travel insurance, protecting the plan holder from the costs of medical care when traveling. The common benefits offered by travel medical insurance plans are emergency services, inpatient and outpatient care, surgery, consultation, medical tests, and limited prescription medication.
Travel insurance plans also feature emergency medical evacuation, which is a must for the international traveler. Accidental death and dismemberment benefits and repatriation of remains benefits are also usually included.
Apart from these benefits, many plans offer additional coverage for an extra cost. Some of these include cover for injuries arising from adventurous sports, and trip cancellation due to “any reason”. Other travel insurance benefits include baggage loss and delay, and identity theft. Many plans also offer travel advisory services. However, to know the exact nature of the coverage offered, it is best to consult the plan schedule of benefits.
Ray sandeo frequently writes about travel insurance
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