How To Get Travel Insurance - Step-by-step Tutorial

Travel Insurance

Are you thinking about getting travel insurance before traveling?

People often ask me if it is really necessary to be insured when going on a trip. This may sound like an odd question—you can just up and go on your way, no insurance required—but it is best to be covered, just in case.

From the several times I took out travel insurance, I had to file two claims: the first, when I lost my camera; the second, when my luggage got lost.

If you’re asking yourself: “Should I Buy Travel Insurance for My Next Trip?“

So, yes—I do think taking out travel insurance is a great idea and a must thing to do before traveling. Stuff happens, and you will be covered. It is always a peace of mind, especially abroad.

Travel Insurance – All You Need to Know

Travel insurance is designed to cover all the traveler’s needs. Policies and coverages vary according to the options you choose. The more basic insurances cover only hospital treatment and medical assistance in case of an accident or unexpected illness. The more advanced insurances cover all sorts of situations that can happen on a trip, from losing something to stolen items.

Prices vary too, depending on the insurance company and how old the traveler is, their nationality, which countries they’ll be traveling to and, of course, duration of the trip.

Who needs travel insurance

Generally speaking, subscribing travel insurance is a personal choice. Some people are more careful and feel the need for protection in case something goes wrong. Others assume odds are low, they accept the risk, they’re optimistic, and they believe everything is going to be okay. There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s a personal decision.

When it’s time to choose…

When you think about getting travel insurance, at that time you’re weighing the pros and cons of buying such a product, consider this:
Does the country or countries you’re visiting have a free or low-cost public health system for foreign citizens who are traveling there?
If you need medical assistance or need to go to a hospital and have to cover your costs, how much will you pay?
What kind of hospitals will you find in the country or countries you’re traveling to? In some countries, if something simple happens like breaking a leg, you’ll wish you could be evacuated to somewhere else. For example, you’re traveling in Thailand, a country with great hospitals, and decide to take a small trip to Laos where you find yourself in a minor accident that requires medical attention at a hospital. You’ll wish you’d be back in Thailand in no time!
For how long will you be traveling? The truth is the longer your trip, the higher your chances of a misfortune. But from all the insurances you’re analyzing, check for how long will you be covered. Most insurances only last for up to three months.
Where will you be? Don’t think only about the place’s medical assistance conditions but the odds of something serious happen to you.
What kind of traveler are you?

What if travel insurance is mandatory?

In some situations, you need to be insured, and some travel agencies even require mandatory travel insurance when you book a tour with them. This includes countries that demand travel insurance to issue a visa, such as Cuba or Iran, among many others.

In that case, as a traveler, you must check the requirements with that country’s consulate. Most of the times all they need is basic insurance that clears the country from covering any medical assistance costs in case the traveler needs it.

Sometimes there are specific demands. For example, if you want to visit Algeria, you’ll need insurance that includes a repatriation clause in case of medical assistance or death.

Are you sure you don’t have travel insurance already?

Many people have travel insurance they don’t know about. This typically happens if you have a credit card that you used to purchase your plane tickets.

For example, it’s the case with the Gold Visa cards issued by Portuguese bank BPI. If you have one of these credit cards and use it to buy your flights, you’ll activate free insurance. They have the same typical coverage of standard travel insurance, including accidents or sudden death, civil liability, trip cancelation or reduction. In that case, the travel insurance also includes your spouse and your children up to 25 years old, as long as they are your legal dependents. As with every other insurance, read the fine print and study all the conditions carefully, so you know exactly what to expect.

Pros and cons of travel insurance

Pros

It grants you free medical assistance when traveling in case you need it;
In severe situations, it covers your expenses to return to your home country, with medical assistance during your trip back home if needed;
Depending on your options when subscribing insurance, it covers a series of damages that frequently happen to travelers:
Missing a connecting flight;
Stolen luggage;
Lost luggage;
Cancellation or interruption of a trip;
Flight delays;
Civil liability;
A fee in case of an accident involving a rental car;
Inability to attend an event due to a delay or cancelation;
Resuming an interrupted trip due to death or hospitalization of a close relative or the traveler;
Loss of personal documents;
Having travel insurance may contribute to the traveler feeling calmer during the trip, and allow them to enjoy it more.

Cons

It’s costly, especially in longer trips and if you choose insurance that covers as many things as possible;
These insurances don’t cover any expenses regarding a health problem you might have before the beginning of your trip;
It creates a sense of false security. We’ve all have heard of or have been through situations when insurance experts go to great lengths to dodge their responsibilities, whether by burying the insured person in paperwork or evoking exception clauses.

International Insurances

IATI Travel Insurance

There’s a well-known name when it comes to travel insurance: IATI Travel Insurance. IATI offers comprehensive coverage plans that cater to various travel needs and budgets. With IATI, you can travel with peace of mind knowing you are protected.

One of the best parts about using IATI Travel Insurance is their 5% discount for online purchases through our website. Get your discount and save on your travel insurance.

IATI offers several plans, from basic coverage to more comprehensive packages that include medical and hospital assistance, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and more. Their policies are designed to provide the best possible protection for travelers.

IATI Travel Insurance is known for its excellent customer service and user-friendly online platform, making it easy to get covered quickly and efficiently.

I always recommend IATI Travel Insurance for all your travel coverage needs. Click the link to get started and secure your 5% discount today.

5 things to know about IATI Travel Insurance

Get covered quickly and easily online.
Comprehensive worldwide coverage.
Flexible plans to suit different travel needs and budgets.
Excellent customer service and support.
Special discounts available when purchasing through our website.

What your travel policy should cover

Various medical expenses.
Emergency evacuation back to your home country.
Safe return of your under-aged child.
Trip cancellation or interruption.
Flight delay.
Loss, theft or damage of personal effects / money – travel documents included.
Luggage delay and emergency replacement of vital personal effects.
Legal aid.
Personal liability and damage on your car rental.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the questions you might have on travel coverage. I will try and answer them in the clearest possible way to help you navigate this very important topic.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a service you buy and it covers several types of accidents, medical expenses and losses incurred while traveling.

Why take out travel insurance?

Getting covered gives you the peace of mind and confidence needed to fully enjoy your trip abroad. Accidents happen: money can get lost or stolen; luggage can get lost at the airport; you can get sick and be in need of medical attention; flights can get delayed and you may need lodging while waiting for another one; and so on. Travel insurance plans cover these expenses and help you feel protected, safe.

What does travel insurance cover?

Medical expenses and emergency evacuation: Hospitalization 100%; outpatient / specialist treatment 100%; prescription medication 100%; prescribed physiotherapy $2,100; dental care $265; ambulance ride 100%; medical evacuation / repatriation 100%; evacuation 100%; flight back home 100%; emergency repatriation 100%; lodging expenses, including boarding, and local transportation for an escort accompanying the insured person $4,352 ($265 a person per day).

Luggage – loss, theft or damage: maximum coverage per person / trip $1,600. While traveling outside your country of permanent residence, the following items should be covered by your travel insurance: bags / luggage; electronic devices, such as your laptop or cell phone; money; plane tickets; travelers cheques; credit cards; securities; passports.

Passport and/ or money loss: maximum coverage per person / trip $160.

Baggage loss: maximum coverage per person / trip $372. Insurance covers all reasonable expenses for emergency effects, such as clothing, toiletries and medication, in case your luggage gets delayed for more than five hours after arrival time at your destination abroad.

Flight delay: maximum coverage per person / trip $372, maximum $74 per day.

Hospital benefits: maximum coverage per person / trip $1,539, maximum $37 per day.

Security and Legal Aid: maximum coverage per person / trip $7,640.

Trip cancellation: maximum coverage per person / trip $1,539. This cover benefit ceases the moment you leave your country of permanent residence.

More serious stuff: all insurance companies cover graver events, like disability and such. Still, it is not worth getting into that now, since there is no room for gloomy stuff on this page. I am sure it will all turn out just fine for you all.

What doesn’t travel insurance cover?

There are a few aspects not usually covered by travel insurance plans, such as:

Pre-existing medical conditions: any medical condition you may have prior to your trip or your travel insurance policy is activated is not covered by your travel insurance. On the other hand, any illnesses you may get on the road (except for sexually transmitted diseases) are usually covered by your travel policy.

Deliberately putting your life in danger: if you decide to act like a daredevil and purposely risk your life, insurance will not cover those activities and their consequences.

Situations involving drugs and/or alcohol: we all know the risks of drinking and/or doing drugs. These double when you are in a foreign country. So, any problems you should come across abroad while under the influence won’t get your claim paid.

The cost of taking out travel insurance: this varies according to the length of your trip—buying travel insurance for a two-week trip won’t cost the same as for a two-month one.

Where should you take out your travel insurance?

I always take out my travel insurance through IATI Travel Insurance, a well-known and trusted online insurance company for travelers. They offer a wide range of plans to suit different needs and budgets, and their customer service is excellent.

Taking out travel insurance

Fill out your personal information below and buy your travel coverage online through IATI Travel Insurance. Click here to get started and secure your 5% discount today.

Other international options

In addition to IATI Travel Insurance, there are other companies specialized in travel insurance:

True Traveller. This is a good option because it allows the traveler to subscribe insurance even if they’re already traveling. It also allows the traveler to increase coverage and you don’t need a return date to subscribe it.
IMG Travel Insurance. It’s a good option for conventional trips and for long abroad.

European Health Insurance

If you’re a citizen of a European Union country, you’ll have free access to health insurance that’s valid in every country of the EU.

Keep in mind this will only cover situations that are health related. You’ll have access to the same medical assistance of that country’s National Health System beneficiaries when traveling, and will pay the same fees as them. There might be some exceptions in some countries, but that’s basically it.

To benefit from this insurance, you have to apply for a European Health Insurance Card with your local Social Security office or online. If you apply for it too close to your departure date, try getting a temporary document that’s as valid as the card.

The validity of the card is short. Check if it’s still valid every time you travel.

Good to know when getting travel insurance

Compare all national and international offers and choose insurance with the conditions, price, and coverage that fit your profile, your needs, and your traveling style. Or just decide you don’t need to spend money on that and travel without insurance.
Read all conditions carefully. If you have any questions or the text isn’t clear, don’t hold back and clear everything with your insurance agent.
Make sure if you’re subscribing assistance when traveling or travel insurance. They might sound like the same thing, but they’re actually quite different. In the first case, if you need to use it, you won’t pay anything for medical assistance but you can only use doctors and hospitals that have an agreement with the insurance company. With travel insurance, the traveler has to pay for assistance and be refunded later, but on the other hand, you can get assistance from any hospital or any doctor. Most of the current health insurances are a mix: they provide assistance when traveling for minor issues and travel insurance for more expensive problems.
Be informed of all procedures in case you need to use the insurance. Check the fees you’ll have to pay just to activate it and what you’ll need to do, such as if you need to get the insurance’s permission before going to the hospital or seeking medical assistance.
Try choosing insurance that has 24/7 customer service, preferably with toll-free phone numbers you can call from abroad.
What if you need to pay for a hospital bill? Do you have to pay it in full and wait for a refund or do you just need to pay a fee or a percentage of the total cost? Better be prepared.
If you subscribe insurance that covers stolen or damaged luggage, keep detailed records of all luggage pieces. Photograph them, write down their serial numbers, and keep note of every detail that sets them apart.
When traveling, make sure all your policy information is accessible. Print it, keep a digital copy in your email inbox and another one in a cloud storage service like Dropbox or Google Drive. If you’re incredibly paranoid, give a copy to someone you trust.