For student travelers, going away from home can be exciting as well as challenging. When they are on their own, things can certainly get exciting, but when they are confronted with problems, sometimes, the situation can be quite challenging. In any case, here are some useful important things that all student travelers need to know.

Whether traveling to attend school in another place or backpacking in a remote country, students are entitled to special discounts in most countries. For instance, holders of the International Student Identity Card stand to enjoy more than 40,000 discounts across 120 countries. Some of these benefits include: discounts on travel, accommodations, food, entertainment, and shopping. Application is easy and fast.

Since most students are young and restless, they tend to subscribe to the idea that they are immune to illnesses or accidents. Student travelers have to know that unfortunate things can also happen to the smartest and strongest people so it’s best to be prepared. One of the best ways to protect themselves is to buy a suitable travel insurance policy. In fact, students can find cheap travel insurance quite easily. It’s a small price to pay to ensure a worry-free trip.

Students who are traveling to a foreign country are advised to find out the contact information of: the embassy, local hospitals, local police stations, and more. When a situation arises, it’s always good to have all the telephone numbers and addresses ready. Student travelers would also be wise to learn about the local customs to understand the differences and most importantly, respect them. Not restricted to students, some travelers can get so disorientated by culture shock that they are not able to adjust and adapt, suffering as a result of their short-sightedness or stubborn nature. To this end, it’s always best to follow the old time maxim which says, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

When students travel, they have a lot of opportunities to make new friends, and it’s not uncommon that some of them develop lifelong friendships with other travelers or locals. Unsurprisingly, some student travelers even meet their spouses during their trips. While it’s always a good idea to keep an open door if not a window in this aspect, it’s also wise to practice caution. Just as there are well-meaning folks who want to show their good side, there are also well-disguised crooks waiting to prey on student travelers just because they are generally greener. Well, there are no hard and fast rules on the matter: It’s the instinct that has to be sharper. When you feel uncomfortable about something, it’s time to retreat. Learn to see through all the smoke screens to unveil the core motives.

Today, student travelers have greater and cheaper opportunities to explore many countries in the world. As such, they have to practice good conduct and discretion to make the most of their travels.

Do you know that most claims for insurance are denied by the provider because of the claimant’s ignorance? When an insurance claim is denied, most people would declare that they have been scammed by the insurance company, but this is not true. There are many reasons why people are refused insurance. For example, medical travel insurance is not made available to people who failed to tell their provider that they are suffering from a certain pre-existing condition. As a matter of fact, this is the most cited reason for denied claims in travel insurance.

In the event that your insurance company refuses to pay insurance for anything that has happened to you during your trip for any reason, don’t fret. If you are claiming medical insurance, you don’t have to worry about becoming a hospital hostage because you have no funds to pay for medical treatment. Hospitals are obliged to release you once they have determined you are fit to go out in the world, but remember you are still responsible for covering your health bills.

If your insurance company doesn’t want to pay the bills, the first rational thing you should do is calm down. Don’t think about issuing threats to sue the company for denying your travel insurance claim. Insurance companies are used to this kind of behavior and often have the best lawyers to ensure that the legalities are covered for them. Send a letter or call your insurer and assert your right to be fully informed of the reasons for denial. Simply being told that your claim has been denied due to requirements not met is not acceptable. Ask for the reasons, clearly and plainly, so everybody understands one another.

Once the reasons are made clear and you still think that you should be covered by the travel insurance policy, then you may want to file for an appeal. An insurance company has to process appeals and sometimes, re-appeals from customers whose claims have been denied. It isn’t uncommon for insurers to turn their decisions around, especially if all the necessary documents are provided to prove they should cover your expenses.

If you are still being denied, don’t go to the courts just yet. There are other venues where your complaint can be filed and the next one up the hierarchy is the company ombudsman association with the insurers. Now, don’t worry about biased decision-making because company ombudsmen are independent. They do not earn a living by getting paid by the insurance company. Although company ombudsmen are not like judges, who can impose decisions on a certain case, insurance companies rely hugely on the judgment of their ombudsmen. Many cases of denied claims have been turned around at this level.

When all things fail, there is always the last resort: Go to court! Don’t go throwing your money on legal fees, especially when insurance companies will admit their mistakes if you prove them wrong.

Travel insurance is a necessity for all travelers, especially those who are planning to travel abroad. When people are in a foreign country, they have a greater chance of falling ill because they may not be used to the living conditions and food in that country, and may also become injured as a result of accidents. Medical expenses can be very high in some foreign countries, and travelers may be required to pay a fortune to get treatment for their illnesses and injuries. Travel insurance policies offer compensation for certain losses incurred as a result of accidents that can happen during travel.

Generally, travel insurance policies offer coverage for: medical expenses, cancellation, baggage, and personal belongings. There are also policies that provide more extensive protection, with coverage for: emergency evacuation, repatriation, travel operator default, and others. Travelers who are planning to take part in high-risk activities, such as: skiing, rock climbing, bungee jumping, and scuba diving, can opt for a special insurance option to cover accidents that result from participation in such activities.

The compensation amounts offered to travelers vary from one policy to another. For medical expenses, the maximum compensation can be as high as millions of dollars, or it can be as low as a $25,000. Since medical expenses in foreign countries can be very high, most travelers will choose a policy that offers a maximum compensation in the hundreds of thousands.

Two common types of travel insurance policies are the single trip policy and the annual multi trip policies. The single trip travel insurance policy provides coverage for an individual for the entire duration of the trip, and it is particularly suitable for travelers who are making trips only once or twice a year. Business travelers or those who travel more than two times a year can save money by opting for the annual multi trip travel insurance. With this type of policy, an individual traveler will get coverage for all the trips they make within a year. A multi trip policy usually costs less than the total price of two or three single trip policies.

Special travel insurance policies are also available for: families, backpackers, seniors, and travelers who have pre-existing medical conditions. Family travelers can gain considerable savings if they opt for family travel insurance, because such a policy provides coverage for every member of the family, and it also offers special features that are suited to the needs of a traveling family. Backpackers usually travel for an extended period of time, and a standard travel insurance policy will not be sufficient to get them covered for the entire duration of their trips. A backpacker policy offers extended coverage as well as special benefits to give backpackers peace of mind when they travel.

Seniors and those with pre-existing medical conditions are not eligible to apply for travel insurance policies meant for ordinary travelers, because they have a higher chance of falling ill or getting injured during their travels. Special senior and pre-existing condition travel insurance policies are available for these travelers.

Traveling is a fun and educational activity for students, because it gives them the opportunity to discover new lands and cultures, and enhance their understanding of the world. More and more students are traveling abroad these days, and some are even going on backpacking trips to lesser known countries. There are also students who travel to foreign countries to study or take part in exchange programs. While making travel plans, students should take into consideration the need for travel insurance. A travel insurance policy will provide compensation for expenses and losses incurred as a result of accidents or other unfortunate events.

Most student travel insurance policies offer coverage for: medical expenses, emergency services, cancellation, travel interruption, baggage, and personal liability. There are various other coverage options available, such as: flight delay, tour operator default, repatriation, and accidental death or injury, and student travelers can add any of these options to their standard policies. Since students are usually more adventurous than other travelers, they may need coverage for high-risk activities. This is especially important for those who are planning to participate in potentially dangerous activities such as: skiing, scuba diving, rock climbing, paragliding, bungee jumping, and others.

With a standard student travel insurance policy, student travelers will get compensation for medical expenses, in case they fall ill or get injured while traveling. If they need emergency transportation to medical centers, they will also be compensated for the transportation costs incurred. Those who need to cancel or cut short their vacations because of emergencies will also get reimbursement for the unused parts of their trips. In the event their baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen, travel insurance will cover the losses as well. It is important to know that some travel insurance policies do not offer full compensation for loss of baggage. Student travelers who are bringing valuable items, such as laptops, or expensive sports equipment and electronic devices, should get a coverage upgrade for their baggage or personal belongings.

There is also a type of travel insurance policy specially designed to meet the needs of student backpackers. A standard policy only provides coverage for a limited period of time, and it is not suitable for those who plan to go on long trips. A backpacker travel insurance policy, on the other hand, offers extended coverage as well as special features to cater to the needs of backpackers. Students who are planning to study in a foreign country should opt for a study abroad travel insurance plan. This policy does not only cover medical expenses; it also provides compensation for loss of course fees, in the event that students are unable to attend courses because of illness or injury.

Student travelers can find a wide selection of insurance companies that provide student travel insurance. The best way to find a good and cheap travel insurance policy is to use one of the travel insurance comparison tools that are available.

Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/claireataiwan/

If you’re a first time traveler, trying to figure out the ins and outs of how travel insurance works can be intimidating. There are so many small details that can set your anxiety off. What if something happens? What if I’m not really covered for something I think I am? What if I don’t understand everything about the policy? Even seasoned travelers can run into trouble sometimes.

Travelers may find themselves worrying over this situation: someone in their family dies and suddenly they have to postpone a trip and change their flight plans. So they worry that their insurance coverage will not cover the flight change they need because of a death in the family.

Don’t worry because this is exactly the kind of thing travel insurance is meant to cover. The short answer is: Yes, travel insurance will cover a flight change because of a death in the family. In fact, many companies not only cover flight changes, they cover flight cancellation. If your family member dies and you suddenly have to postpone or cancel a flight entirely, the insurance company pays the costs and fees. So, if you just change the flight, they cover or reimburse you for the fees of the flight change. In the event that you actually cancel the flight, most policies will also reimburse you for the cost of the tickets since most airlines refuse to refund plane tickets.

This applies to all kinds of insurance. It is most commonly applied to single trip travel insurance because these trips are more often interrupted due to family emergencies. These policies are only meant to cover a single, short trip so it’s a very good idea to get travel insurance in case a death in the family does occur. This way, you don’t have to pay for flight changes or worse, absorb the cost of the entire plane ticket.

For annual travel insurance, you may not actually need it. Annual travel insurance is meant to cover multiple trips taken over a year. Since this kind of travel insurance is most commonly used for business trips, the company will have arranged for some kind of insurance policy when it comes to emergency plan changes. Most annual travel insurance plans do cover flight changes which result from a family death.

Long stay travel insurance usually includes clauses that cover emergency flight change. Long stay travel insurance is actually intended for people who travel extensively or who plan to take a long holiday or vacation, anywhere from 3 to 18 months. These policies actually are quite flexible when it comes to return dates so there may not be an issue at all with flight change or ticket cancellation fees.

The bottom line is, the death of a family member and the sudden change or cancellation of plans is exactly the kind of thing travel insurance is intended for.

For most travelers, looking into travel insurance raises all kinds of questions. What type of insurance will I need? How much will it cost? How much coverage will I really need on a specific policy? In planning for your trip, you need to arrange for accommodations, air tickets, or car rentals some time before actually going on the trip. Most seasoned travelers would have acquired travel insurance as they are making travel arrangements. Still, more people wonder.

Can I still get travel insurance even after I’ve purchased my plane tickets?
The good news is that, in most cases, you can obtain travel insurance up until the day before your trip actually begins. You can definitely purchase travel insurance even after you buy the plane tickets. In fact, it may be better to do this, so the insurance company knows exactly when and where you will be leaving on your trip as well as when you will be returning home.

Keep in mind that it’s always best to make sure you obtain travel insurance as quickly as possible. Most travel insurance policies don’t actually go into effect right away so you’ll end up beginning your trip without immediate coverage and that’s always risky. Since most plane tickets are purchased in advance, the same should be done with travel insurance. Most travel agencies will actually purchase plane tickets and insurance policies almost simultaneously.

This applies to all types of insurance as well so it shouldn’t be a factor in deciding what type you need. Single trip insurance is designed to cover a single trip like a holiday or a family visit. Usually these trips are planned far in advance so obtaining insurance after buying your plane tickets isn’t usually a problem.
Then you have annual trip travel insurance. This is designed to cover people who make multiple trips per year. Annual trip travel insurance is also suitable for people who go on frequent trips or take more than a few vacations every year. As usual, there should be no issues purchasing travel insurance after you buy a ticket.

Long stay travel insurance is the same. This type of coverage covers trips that are actually quite long – anywhere from 3 to 18 months – and often the traveler does not arrange a return date because they will be staying so long. Some people worry that this will make it hard for them to keep the insurance when they do buy their return ticket, but once again, usually ticket purchases do not affect a policy.

There’s a lot to worry about when it comes to travel insurance even for the most experienced traveler. There’s no reason to worry too much because you can definitely purchase a policy even after you buy plane tickets.

Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/washingtoncanard/

Whether you are traveling abroad or otherwise, it’s a very good idea to look into your insurance options. Here’s some information on different kinds of travel insurance to help you decide if you need travel insurance.

Single Trip Travel Insurance
Single trip travel insurance is insurance that only covers a single trip. This kind of insurance is unique in that it applies to you no matter where you go. Plans usually include coverage for any medical expenses that occur on a trip as well as situations that are not related to health care like cancellation in the case of either a job loss situation or bad weather. This is a very smart thing to have because you never know what’s going to happen down the line.

Travel Medical Insurance
There are also special policies you can find that make sure that you have travel medical insurance when you go abroad. These types of policies typically offer coverage for a year. If you are planning to visit a place long-term, this is exactly the kind of policy that you need. These policies not only cover emergency medical and dental needs, but they also cover lost luggage, hazardous sports coverage, and even “emergency reunion services”, which cover the cost of bringing relatives to the side of the sick person.

Annual Insurance
Annual insurance plans are plans that are designed to last at least a year. They are usually renewable and offer most of the same benefits that regular insurance plans do. Essentially, they cover things like prescription drugs, maternity needs, wellness coverage, mental health coverage, and even newborn care. If you are planning to live in another country for a long period of time, an annual insurance plan is recommended.

Rental Car Policies
Most people who make travel plans also plan to rent cars especially if they are traveling long-term because they need a way to get around. In this case, they will also need to find a good rental car policy. Most policies offer the same type of coverage like those in the United States.

Flight Accident Insurance
Flight accident insurance is very important. People rarely walk away from plane accidents unharmed, so buying flight accident insurance is a logical choice. Should disaster strike, you will be assured that your loved ones at home will still be taken care of.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance is somewhat similar to flight accident insurance. If you are traveling abroad and you get into an accident which results in your death, your family gets paid a lump sum of money.

Medical Evacuation
Medical evacuation insurance is also extremely important for travelers. If you get into such a serious accident that you need a helicopter or ambulance to take you to a hospital, you will end up having to pay for the evacuation. This bill can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 or more! Being insured is the only way to make sure that you do not end up with huge medical bills, but only a small premium.

It is not uncommon for travelers to fall ill when they are traveling, because they may have trouble getting used to the food and climate in other countries. Accidents can also happen during travels, especially for those who participate in high-risk activities. Getting medical care for illnesses and injuries can be expensive in some countries, and some foreign hospitals may require advance payment before treatment is administered. One solution to the problem is to get travel medical insurance. With a travel medical insurance, travelers will receive compensation for the medical expenses incurred when they become injured or sick during their trips.

Travel medical insurance is usually offered as part of a basic travel insurance policy, and it provides coverage for hospital or doctor bills. Some insurance policies will also compensate for the costs of medications and dental treatment, or provide special features such as: preventive services, chiropractic, acupuncture, and maternity benefits. The maximum compensation offered by a travel medical insurance can range from thousands to tens of millions of dollars. While a low compensation may not be sufficient to cover medical bills, a policy with a high compensation can be costly. The best thing to do is to opt for a policy offering maximum compensation of one or two million dollars. Travel medical insurance policies provide coverage for a limited duration of time, which can range from one day to six months, but options are available to extend the coverage duration to beyond six months.

Other than compensation for medical expenses, a travel medical insurance policy may also offer coverage for medical evacuation. In the event of a medical emergency, this coverage will provide protection for the costs of transporting a person to a medical facility. It is particularly useful for those who are traveling to rural places where there are no hospitals nearby. In some cases, transportation cost for a trip from a rural area to a hospital may amount to thousands of dollars.

Another option available for travel medical insurance is trip cancellation or interruption coverage. This type of coverage will provide compensation for the amount of money lost when the policy holder cancels or interrupts their trip due to medical reasons. Those who are spending a lot of money for their travels should get trip cancellation or interruption coverage because it will ensure full reimbursement of their travel investment if the travel company refuses to give a full refund.

Senior travelers and those suffering from pre-existing medical conditions require special travel medical insurance policies. Such policies offer great benefits that will make their trips more convenient and worry free. Travelers who are taking part in hazardous activities can also apply for special policies to provide coverage for such activities.

Travelers should provide honest information about their health when they are completing the travel insurance application forms. This will enable insurance providers to plan the right policies.

Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pdenker/

These days, there are numerous insurance companies that offer a wide variety of travel insurance policies, and many travelers have trouble finding out which company offers the best policies. One of the best ways to find a good travel insurance policy is to take a look at ratings of travel insurance companies. Usually, a reputable insurance company will provide policies with good coverage and efficient compensation.

Ratings of travel insurance companies are made by certain insurance rating services, such as AM Best, who specialize in examining various factors that contribute to the reliability of travel insurance companies. In most cases, the quality of a travel insurance policy is determined by the creditworthiness and financial stability of its provider. Although every insurance rating service employs different methods of evaluation, the general criteria for rating a travel insurance company include the companies’ competitive position, financial flexibility, liquidity, operating performance, and investment risks. Some ratings will also take other factors into consideration including: capitalization, risk management, and strategy.

Insurance companies that are highly rated are more reliable, because they have the financial stability to make efficient payments for justified claims. Travelers who purchase policies from such companies will have the assurance of receiving prompt compensation when claims are made. Efficiency in providing compensation is one of the things that make an insurance policy attractive. Factors such as liquidity, risk management, and capitalization all contribute to a travel insurance company’s ability to meet its financial obligations.

Travel insurance companies that have a good record of competitiveness in the insurance market are also known to provide better policies, because they are established companies aware of the specific insurance needs of their clients. The policies offered by such companies will provide the best coverage for different groups of people, whether they are individual travelers, family travelers, senior travelers, or backpackers. Competitive insurance companies are usually more affordable. They provide a wider range of travel insurance options for specific needs, such as: coverage for high risk activities and pre-existing medical conditions.

The operating performance of a travel insurance company represents its ability to deal with customers’ needs. A travel insurance company with a high rating will have trained employees able to provide excellent customer service. They will offer good advice for customers who are not sure about the type of travel insurance they need, and can provide valuable assistance to policy holders who are involved in accidents or other emergency situations in a foreign country. Companies that have a good operating performance will also be able to make the application process of a travel insurance policy more efficient and hassle-free.

All these factors contribute to a travel insurance company’s rating, and they reflect the quality of travel insurance policies offered by the company. As such, travelers can easily find out where to purchase the best travel insurance polices by looking at the ratings of travel insurance companies

Pre-existing conditions always seem to complicate things when it comes to getting any kind of travel insurance policy. In almost all cases, it’s safe to say you will qualify for travel insurance even if you have a pre-existing condition, though it’s not quite so simple. Other than its more expensive, there are a few things that have to be done before you can get it.

Firstly, you have to be completely honest when you are reporting to an insurance company about any pre-existing condition. There is something called a “Look-Back Period” that usually spans anywhere from 60 to 180 days. If your illness was diagnosed, appeared, or treated within this period, it counts as pre-existing and must be reported. Not reporting will result in any and all policies being null and void.

Single Trip Travel Insurance
In most single trip travel cases – and all instances of travel – you have to be safely cleared for travel before your insurance policy begins. This means you cannot be ready to travel at some point in the future. You have to be fit and ready to travel when the insurance is obtained. Otherwise, should something happen, you will not be covered.

Travel Medical Insurance
Buying medical insurance for the time you’re traveling abroad can be a bit tricky but, once again, not impossible. It’s just going to be more expensive because you are a higher risk for the company than someone without the conditions. Medical coverage abroad covers prescription medications and any emergency medical or dental needs which may arise. They even cover lost luggage as well as trip cancellation.

Annual Insurance
Annual trip insurance is going to be more expensive when it comes to pre-existing conditions because it’s more expensive for a company to cover you. Annual insurance plans cover prescription medication which is very important for those with pre-existing conditions. It also covers pregnancies and maternity-related needs plus other common medical needs. These policies usually last at least a year and can be extended.

Rental Car Policies
Pre-existing conditions should not affect your ability to rent a car while traveling unless it is the type of condition that affects your insurance in the United States ; for instance, narcolepsy. Any condition that is likely to cause you to be a danger to other commuters on the road will make it a bit harder to obtain a car rental policy, but it’s far from impossible.

Flight Accident Insurance
Since pre-existing conditions have no bearing on whether a plane crashes or not, flight accident insurance is usually not affected by these conditions. Bear in mind the insurance company has to be aware of the pre-existing condition and the person who is on plane has to have been fit for travel at the time of the accident; otherwise the policy is completely void.

Overall, it can be seen that you can qualify for most types of travel insurance even if you have a pre-existing condition.