Tips for buying travel insurance plan

Buying travel insurance is important for many reasons. The plan offers protection to travellers from various perils (as mentioned in the policy document) that one encounters during a tour. However, most tourists tend to take this insurance lightly. The importance is understood only when an emergency strikes. Buying an insurance plan is not about expecting an emergency but it is about preparing oneself to enjoy a pleasant, smooth trip.

If you have already planned a trip and all set to fly to your favourite destination, buy travel insurance plan.

You should check if your trip expenses are covered. Ask the company representative if they will reimburse these expenses later on.

Before actually investing in a travel insurance plan, you should make double sure you understand terms like coverage limits, deductible etc. This is important to avoid any confusion and inconvenience in the long run.

For those who are on medications, it is crucial to make sure the travel plan also covers replacement expenses.

Strictly avoid buying policies that are clubbed with the trip by travel agents. Most of these plans are costly. It is always better to buy travel insurance from a reputed insurance company in India.

You should verify with your insurance service provider about adding a rider. This is usually added to an existing plan in order to offer cover for costly items such as jewellery, electronic items, laptops etc.

Before buying a travel insurance plan, you should check to see whether or not a cancellation service (cover) is available. Most companies these days offer ‘cancellation of trip due to terrorist acts’ service to their customers.

It is vital to enquire the insurance provider about the coverage. Know whether it is primary or secondary. Secondary travel plans would ask the customer o go through the standard cover initially. On the other hand, a primary travel insurance plan covers you out-and-out.

The travel insurance plan you buy should not impose any restrictions on destinations.

When deciding on a travel insurance plan, you should know about the risky activities covered. You should weigh these activities against your tour plans.

You need to review the coverage and then try to maximize it via making buying it at least 2 weeks prior to setting out on the journey.

When filing a claim, it is important to be honest about trip plans when buying the plan. In short, the organization must be aware of your plan about visiting a specific place and the activities you wish to undertake as soon as you reach the desired destination.

Prepare a detailed list of items you would carry along. This will facilitate you make claim for any loss or damage during the trip. Also take pictures of all the items and receipts if possible. This will help you a lot when filing a claim.

In the event of a loss due to theft, you must report it immediately to the local authorities. Also supply a document trail for insurance claim. It is vital to get copies reports (if any). Make sure you keep tabs on the authorities you are communicating with.

This is one of the most popular travel plans offered in India. It covers the tourist for health as well as dental costs incurred due to any illness or injury during the journey. For instance, if you happen to break your leg or meet with an accident during your journey in London, the medical travel cover will take care of the hospital and related expenses.

It also includes medical evacuation cover. It covers you in the event of hospitalization due to a health emergency. Getting injured in an isolated area will require a special transportation service to admit you in a hospital. This can be really expensive. Buying a medical cover before travel will help you handle these expenses. The plan usually comes tagged with a travel medical insurance. However, you can buy one as separate plan too.

Accidental death policy (with dismemberment plan) is also important. This offers cover on flight over. This is quite similar to a life insurance plan wherein the company pays a fixed amount to the beneficiary in case; the covered individual dies during the tour.

Prior to buying medical travel plan, one must check their terms and conditions for age restrictions.

The cover is further categorized into three sections. It offers cover in the event of trip cancellation various problems such as illness. Here, the prepaid costs are reimbursed by insurance company. It also offers cover for cancellation of tour in case; any of the family members is unwell or dies.

The delay travel cover takes care of delays in transportation. For instance, if the destination you are supposed to reach is heavily snowed in and no flights or other transportation method is available, then the insurance company will cover you for prepaid expenses of hotel.

Trip interruption protection is another cover offered by insurance companies these days. In case, you or your family member gets sick during the journey, the interruption policy will help you leave the trip in mid-way the expenses will be covered by the company. The cover plan is also applicable under conditions such as trip interruption due to bad weather, bankruptcy of a tour company, etc.

The plan covers rental car in case of lost items and accidents. This type of plan may not cover you for the loss or damage incurred inside the flight.

Make sure you read the fine print carefully before buying a plan. Know exactly what’s covered and how.