When going on a vacation, business trip, or visiting family members, the unexpected can sometimes happen. For times like this, it is important to have peace of mind when traveling. Fortunately, travel insurance is available to help prevent losses due to various situations. This type of insurance is designed to help cover different losses that can happen while traveling, and help to pay for expenses in certain situations. Each company that offers a travel insurance policy usually has different tiers of coverage. For example, some offer medical coverage in the event of an emergency, but may not cover this in certain cases such as while driving a vehicle when out of town. Often, travel insurance will cover accidental death or dismemberment, and can also cover funeral expenses or the cost of transporting a deceased person back to their home. But most people choose travel insurance for more simple reasons, such as loss of money or possessions while out of town.
A good travel insurance policy should at least cover lost luggage and lost credit cards and identification. In a case like this, the policy holder can file a claim seeking monetary compensation for any lost luggage and its contents. They can also have their travel insurance agent cancel any stolen credit cards, and assist them with recovering lost passports or driver’s licenses. A surprising perk of many travel insurance plans is that they will cover non-refundable airline tickets in the event the flight is delayed on the part of the airline. If the traveler has to cancel a trip because of an emergency or because of other plans, the policy may cover this lost expense as well. Some policies also cover delayed flights. For example, if a flight is delayed and the person traveling needs to reschedule or book another flight, the insurance plan will cover the cost of the new or transferred ticket. Medical insurance coverage is usually available, but certain terms and conditions might apply, particularly in regards to the age of the person requiring coverage and any pre-existing health conditions that may already exist.
It is very important for anyone opting to get travel insurance to understand and know what is covered, and what is not. When filing a claim, be prepared to provide documentation that will support the claim. This can include copies of actual airline tickets, rental car receipts, or receipts for items that are lost or stolen. While some policies cover lost cash, it’s always a good idea to opt for traveler’s checks instead. This way, there will be no dispute when money is lost, and it is automatically covered. For people traveling internationally, claims can be a bit tricky, so be certain to know what is involved in advance. Certain medical costs may be covered by the travel insurance, while others might need to be handled through the claimant’s actual health insurance provider. As with any type of insurance policy, fully understanding what is covered and how to file a claim in advance is the best way to ensure that you are protected as completely as possible.
