Hey, we don’t mean to come over all parental and kill the buzz before you’ve even set off, but traveling can be a risky business. As such, a business which trades in risk exists; travel insurance. And as much as the freedom of the road and spontaneity are what the best trips should be all about, it’s wise to have certain precautions in place to make the most of your experience. They say you can’t buy peace of mind but let’s face it, you kinda can. With that in mind, here’s the IDEAL guide to travel insurance for beginners.
THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS
Typically, there are three common types of travel insurance available on today’s market. These are single trip, multi-trip and family travel insurance.
SINGLE TRIP: Single trip insurance is customised to suit the needs of the occasional and infrequent traveller. For this plan, the maximum period is usually six months, though it would usually cover a simple, single journey (plus return). Traditionally included in the cover are medical expenses, delayed departure plus baggage, emergency evacuation, as well as disablement benefits, though this is subject to change according to the applicant’s needs and specifications.
MULTI TRIP: This insurance plan is typically designed for people who regularly travel overseas. They’re usually valid for 12 months and might vary slightly according to the specific insurance provider and the answers to the provisional questionnaire provided by the applicant’s prior to a contract offer.
You can choose a trip that lasts for 30, 45, 60, or 90 days, with costs rising accordingly. In short, this is a plan that’s intended to save the frequent traveler money; a buying in bulk, if you will. It’s also convenient since you’re only required to pay the premium once, and you’ll be secured for the whole period of your travel. Plus, the number of trips you make during that entire year isn’t limited; a smart investment, then, if you are travel often for work or you have a large round-the-world trip planned.
FAMILY TRAVEL INSURANCE: Also referred to as the Family Floater Plan by certain insurance companies, this version provides comprehensive coverage for the whole family while traveling overseas; a peace of mind you really shouldn’t forfeit. With this type of cover, each and every family member is covered under a single policy and with a single premium, making it manageable and easy to document. Put simply, all the family members share the amount assured in this plan.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Most travel insurance plans require that the applicant should be aged between 5 and 70 years. You can even make use of travel insurance for a journey that’s as short as 1 to 4 days; your premium will simply be less. Conveniently, you don’t need to go through any medical examination before you can start applying for travel insurance, just a basic questionnaire, as mentioned above, which will assess your unique requirements.
NOT JUST FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
It’s important to note that travel insurance is typically designed to cover both medical and financial emergencies which might occur during your trip, and can be exploited domestically and abroad. There are numerous travel insurance firms like Australian travel insurance company Fast Cover that provide protection both on terra firma and far from home. Don’t gamble on your safety, bank balance and peace of mind. Instead, get protected.
