Whether you’re about to set off on a family vacation or travelling for business, it’s important to stay informed about the changes in the travel industry. With this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about buying travel insurance in 2022 so that your dream trip doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
What’s the Point of Travel Insurance?
As you can see, there are a lot of different situations that can arise during your travel and which insurance will protect you against. Let’s take a look at each one in detail.
It might be tempting to skip buying insurance because it’s not as cheap as it was in the past or because the prices seem high, but the truth is that if something goes wrong while travelling—and especially when travelling abroad—then having some form of coverage can make all the difference between having an enjoyable trip and being left with nothing but bad memories.
Types of Coverage
The most common types of coverage are:
- Medical coverage. This pays for treatment and hospital bills if you get sick or injured on your trip. It also covers pre-existing conditions when you buy the policy within a certain number of days before departure, as long as they’re not specifically excluded from the insurance plan you choose.
- Trip cancellation coverage. This reimburses part (or all) of what was paid toward airfare and hotels if something happens that forces you to cancel the trip; this includes the cost of changing flights and rescheduling reservations so they’re within an acceptable time frame after the cancellation occurs. Some plans also include reimbursement for tours and activities booked through travel agents—but these can vary widely depending on where they were purchased so check with the provider directly prior to making a final decision about which plan best suits needs/budget!
How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?
Travel insurance premiums vary depending on how long you plan to be away, how old you are and whether or not you have any medical conditions. The more time and money that’s spent on buying the policy, the more it will cost.
If you have a pre-existing condition such as diabetes or asthma then you may need extra cover for those needs.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Flight Cancellations?
Travel insurance plans often include trip cancellation insurance. While this may not be suitable for everyone, it can be a great option if you’re worried about flight cancellations and delays.
If your flight is cancelled and you need to find alternate transportation, trip cancellation insurance will cover the cost of alternate transportation (including rental cars), accommodation and meals at hotels or resorts until the rescheduled flight date. It also covers medical expenses while you’re waiting on the new date.
However, if your luggage was lost or stolen during transport between flights, trip cancellation insurance generally won’t cover those.
Where Can I Buy Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance can be purchased through a variety of providers, including travel agents and large insurers. f you want to spend less on travel insurance, you can get insurance through an insurance broker rather than negotiating with insurance companies yourself.
Travel agents often offer lower prices than large companies who have set rates for their products across all providers. However, some credit cards provide a benefit that includes free or discounted travel insurance when booking with them—this could be cheaper than going through an independent provider, so check if this applies to you before buying elsewhere!
Should I Use a Credit Card for Travel Insurance Coverage?
If you have a credit card that offers travel insurance, it’s worth checking whether it covers any of your trip expenses. Most cards offer some kind of baggage delay protection. If your flight is delayed and you end up missing a connecting flight, the airline will usually cover the cost for another ticket if your original ticket wasn’t refundable or came with high fees (like a nonrefundable fare).
Many credit cards also include coverage for medical emergencies abroad, but some require that you’re using their services to pay for the bill before they’ll reimburse anything.
This can be an issue if you’re travelling without health insurance or on a prepaid plan and don’t have time to wait around while they process your claim—so make sure not just what the policy states but how quickly it works in practice!
Finally, check whether there are any restrictions on when you can use these perks—some policies only cover trips made within two years after applying for the card; others limit coverage areas so make sure yours covers where in particular before purchasing!
You may also want to check out our post on travel insurance for digital nomads.
Do Travellers Need Medical Evacuation Coverage?
If you’re travelling to an exotic or remote destination, medical evacuation coverage is a must. Medical evacuation can be expensive and this type of coverage can keep costs down.
Medical evacuation coverage is often included in travel insurance policies, but it’s good to check with your insurer before purchasing your policy.
If you want to make sure that you have this type of coverage included in your policy, speak with an insurance broker.
You Can Find Affordable, Comprehensive Coverage from Reliable Providers
If you’re like me and most other people, travel insurance can seem like a luxury that you don’t need. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth considering.
Travel insurance is a good idea if:
- You want to be covered for potential medical issues while traveling abroad.
- You want to be protected in case your luggage gets lost or stolen, or if you have to cancel your trip at the last minute due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances.
