Travel Without Worries: Explore The Key Benefits And Must Haves Of Travel Insurance

Imagine strolling through the vibrant streets of Bangkok, sampling local street food in Mexico City, or hiking through the stunning landscapes of New Zealand. Traveling brings joy! For a worry-free trip, this article will explore the key benefits and importance of travel insurance.

Why is travel insurance important?

Travel insurance is important because it helps protect you from unexpected problems while you're away from home. It can cover a variety of issues, such as, medical emergencies, trip cancellation, travel delays and lost luggage.

According to a poll by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), only 54% of people believe travel insurance is essential. However, unexpected events can ruin your holiday plans and potentially cost you a lot of money. In 2022, there were at least 362,000 claims, as reported by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) in 2023.

Key Benefits of Travel Insurance

Whether you are planning a short vacation to Paris or a backpacking trip, travel insurance is essential. Here are some key benefits of travel insurance:

1.Medical expenses

Covers medical expenses for sudden illness or accidental injury. For instance, sudden illnesses such as colds, flu and gastroenteritis may be caused by changes in the environment or dietary discomfort. Accidental injuries may lead to fractures and sprains. Take the case of one traveller who suffered a serious blood infection while visiting Thailand. He was hit with a bill for £250,000 after returning to the UK. Without travel insurance, he would have had to cover those costs himself.

2.Lost baggage

If your baggage and belongings are lost, stolen or damaged during your trip, loss of baggage cover allows you to claim for their full or partial value.

3.Cancellation plan

Usually provides up to £7,500 in coverage if you have to cancel your trip at the last minute due to unexpected illness, injury, or a family death.

4.Travel disruption

If bad weather, strikes or a breakdown disrupt your flight or ferry, for example, you could claim for delays that have affected your trip. Ms.

Li had planned a week-long business trip from New York to Paris, but a typhoon delayed her flight by 36 hours. This caused her to miss her hotel reservation and conference. She filed a claim with her travel insurance company for the flight delay due to bad weather. According to her policy, the insurance company agreed to pay her $950. Thanks to her travel insurance, Ms. Li was able to cover the extra costs from the delay, reduce her financial losses, and make her trip more smoother.

What is usually not covered by travel insurance?

Changing your mind: If you cancel your trip just because you’ve changed your mind, you won’t get compensated. Holiday cancellation insurance only covers situations that are out of your control and listed in your policy, such as illness or a family death.

Missed flight: You won’t be covered for a missed flight if it’s your own fault, like if you oversleep or don’t give yourself enough time to get through security.

Pre-existing medical conditions: You need to inform your insurance provider about any pre-existing medical conditions. If you don’t, you won’t be covered for any claims related to those conditions.

How to get cheap travel insurance?

There are several ways to get cheap travel insurance:

1.Compare travel insurance quotes

Compare different policies and prices to see which ones offer the best deal. Look at which features matter to you, what’s included with each policy, and what might cost extra. In addition, there are several platforms that can help you compare and purchase travel insurance, such as Compare the Market, Money Super Market and Go Compare.

2.Choose the right policy type

If you’re going on just one trip, a single-trip policy might be cheaper. If you travel frequently throughout the year, a multi-trip annual policy could be a better value. Also, if you’re traveling with friends or family, group or family travel insurance might be more cost-effective than buying individual policies.

3.Only pay for what you need

Don’t waste money on add-ons you don’t need. For instance, if you’re not carrying valuable items, don’t pay for extra coverage for them. Be realistic about the value of your belongings and cancellation costs when you’re getting quotes.

4.Take advantage of deals and discounts

Find discounts and promotions offered by your insurance company and use them to lower your insurance costs.

Conclusion

In general, travel insurance is important for a worry-free trip. It helps protect you from risks like unexpected medical bills, trip interruptions, and lost belongings. It also offers financial security and peace of mind, so you can fully enjoy your vacation.

In order to maximize the benefits of travel insurance, it is recommended to choose a plan that fits your specific travel needs, destination, and plans. So you can get the best protection while enjoying your trip.