For students who are planning to travel abroad, the allure of going to a new country filled with the promise of exciting possibilities is certainly a dizzying idea. It can, however, all go wrong in a hurry if they don’t make the necessary preparations. Here are some useful tips (including getting student travel insurance):

Travel Documents: Before you can travel abroad, sort out your travel documents: the most basic is a passport. Depending on the country of residence and the country of destination, you may need to apply for an entry visa. The criteria and duration of a visa varies make sure to do the right research to find out more.

Locating Embassies or Consulates: Whether you like it or not, sometimes, problems can occur in the country you are visiting. You may lose your passport, your money, or you may just need some help. Write down the contact information of your embassy or consulate in the country of your destination, just in case.

Responding to Emergencies: Emergencies can happen anywhere, even when you are away in paradise. Hurricanes, floods, and accidents are unavoidable when they occur. While there’s no way to adequately prepare for such calamities, adopt a positive mindset in the most negative environments. No matter what happens, try to remain as calm as possible. Make it a point to contact your embassy or consulate.

Student Travel Insurance: Students don’t like to talk about insurance because they can’t imagine anything catastrophic happening to them, especially when they are on holiday in an exotic location. When people go to a foreign land, it’s not uncommon to fall ill, even when they are students. Check to see if you are covered under your parents’ health insurance plan in the country you are visiting: If not, get your own travel insurance. As a student, you will be eligible for some cheap travel insurance. This is really a small price to pay if you require medical attention in a foreign country.

Respecting Local Laws and Customs: When you are young and willful, you tend to have a high opinion of yourself. It’s perfectly normal. Free from the laws of their own country, many students who travel abroad may think they are free to do whatever they please in a faraway land. Different countries have different laws and customs. What is permissible in one country may not be permissible in another country. Sometimes, students get into trouble by breaking local laws or offending local customs, without realizing its consequences. Before you travel to the country of your destination, it will be useful to find out about the local laws and customs so you don’t land into unnecessary trouble.

The idea of traveling abroad can be most enticing, especially for students who are just beginning to discover more about themselves and the world around them. To make the most of the trip, it’s best to practice responsibility and restraint.

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

As air travel becomes more affordable, more and more people are traveling all over the world. The idea of going to a faraway land is no longer far-fetched as there are many budget airlines to make it possible. No matter the carrier, there’s always a certain amount of risk associated with air travel. As such, it’s good to take a look at some of the benefits of flight accident insurance.

The most important benefit you can get from this kind of travel insurance is piece of mind as you lean back in your seat while the plane glides through the clouds, turbulently or not. Sure, it is a proven fact that only a tiny fraction of flights around the world end up accidents, but there’s really no guarantee that your flight will not be in the unfortunate percentage, no matter how small. With flight accident insurance, you will be assured that your beneficiaries will be provided for with the amount of flight accident insurance you purchased should the airplane crash

Instead of a stand-alone flight accident policy, consider a travel insurance package plan. Cancelled flights or lost baggage are also covered by most travel insurance policies. Multi trip travel insurance usually runs for a year and can provide benefits of up to $1,000,000 whether you are flying alone or with family, or for pleasure or business purposes. Cancelled flights can be the result of very bad weather or engine troubles. If you have already bought your ticket for a cancelled flight, a flight accident insurance can certainly reimburse your loss. Also, statistics show that more than 1 million pieces of luggage are lost, delayed, or mishandled every year. Having to go through the tedious process of looking for lost luggage that may actually never be found is reason enough for you to get insurance for your flight. This will help you speed up the process of finding your luggage, if it’s lost, or compensated, if it’s not found by the airline personnel.

The best time to buy flight accident insurance is right about the time you decide to travel. Uncertainty may be an exciting part of life, but it is always a good idea to prepare for the worse, whatever that uncertainty may bring.

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

Nowadays, more and more single women are opting to travel alone. There’s something exotic and exciting about the endless possibilities which may come out of a trip to a foreign land. Other than the opportunity to “find yourself” as Joplin would remind, it’s also a fantastic chance to be totally free, and perhaps discover a side which you had never known existed. As much as there are fruitful experiences to be had, single women who travel alone are also exposed to some rather unique dangers. Here are some tips, in addition to travel insurance for single women, to help you along:

Planning Ahead: Whether you are a student or a senior citizen, careful planning of your trip is most important. Now, you may want to just go for it and go on an unplanned vacation, in pursuit of the adventure of chance. While the excitement level of this approach is certainly higher, it also carries with it added risk. Imagine landing in a foreign country, especially one which is rather different from your country of origin, and having a bunch of people hawking their services from hotels to tours to car rentals- all in a language that you don’t understand. Who are you going to believe? Before you go on your tour, it’s advisable to make all the necessary bookings. Try to stay as close to the city center as possible. Plan your itinerary well and make copies of all your IDs as well as other important documents.

Bring Loads of Common Sense: Women who travel alone are susceptible to some specific types of risk. Try not to draw unnecessary attention to yourself by wearing too much expensive (even expensive-looking) jewelry and wear clothing that blends in with the locals. When a man sizes you up or offers some drink or food, firmly decline. In the event that you are totally smitten, and you smell the possibility of romance, take some time to know the person, but whenever you feel uncomfortable, withdraw. Instead of carrying a wallet, use a cute waist pouch, and always keep your valuable in separate places, even your undergarments! In countries where the culture is rather strange, learn to respect the local laws and customs.

Travel Insurance: To cover yourself in case of emergencies, get travel insurance or travel medical insurance. Be sure to inform the insurance company about the country of your destination so your policy is applicable.

Communication and Important Numbers: Always carry your mobile phone wherever you go, and make a list of all the contact information which may be useful to you, such as the phone numbers of your embassy or consulate, transportation services, local police stations, and hospitals.

Packing: Only pack things that you absolutely need. If you are going to be spending the majority of your vacation in a remote region where there’s no electricity, it makes little sense to haul your laptop along. Instead, you may need a pair of good walking shoes, and the appropriate clothing. Make a checklist to see if you have everything covered. As a rule, try to travel as light as possible.

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

Many people rent cars when they go on vacations. Compared to the usual forms of public transportation, car rentals offer greater flexibility and convenience. However, it can be dangerous to drive in a foreign land or an unfamiliar place. To protect both the car rental companies and the people who rent cars, rental car insurance is highly recommended.

As a type of travel insurance, there are many reasons why rental car insurance is important. Basically, there are two main types of car insurance: collision and liability. Collision insurance covers all your financial obligations with the car rental company should you get involved in an accident, such as repair or replacement. Liability insurance covers damages to your own self. If you suffer severe injuries or death as a result of the accident, you can be assured that your dependents or other beneficiaries will be compensated in some financial form.

If you have already bought your own car insurance, check to see if it can also be applied as a travel insurance policy. In the situation where you have comprehensive coverage, then it will most likely apply to any rented car you drive in the world. The problem is, not many car insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage. This means your car insurance policy only covers liability damages and may not cover collisions. Before you travel, it’s best to be clear about these points.

Some credit card companies also provide rental car insurance for free or at a discounted price if the credit cards are used for the car rental. However, the Insurance Information Institute recommends that you do some research before purchasing travel insurance from your credit card provider because not all of them have comprehensive insurance policies. Some will provide benefits only to your own rental car, but not to other cars involved in the accident. Still, others provide collision benefits to all vehicles involved, but will not cover injuries or deaths.

Car rental companies also have their own version of rental car insurance, although it is not actually called insurance. These are loss damage waivers (LDW) and collision damage waivers (CDW). They are equivalent to collision insurance and comprehensive insurance. Just like collision and liability insurance, LDW and CDW require you to pay a deductible, usually ranging from $9 to $19 for each day you rent the vehicle. You can also include a death and personal property insurance, which will provide benefits for death and medical expenses in case anything happens.

Keep in mind that buying your insurance from the car rental company may be more expensive than getting a policy from an insurance provider. If you already have life, medical, or personal property insurance, you may not even need to apply for a waiver from the car rental company at all. Check with your insurance provider before you make any commitments, and if you do, make sure to always do your research first. Always go for the best rental car insurance policy that will keep you covered from head to toe, whatever may happen to you.

Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mollyeh11/

For most people, the opportunity to travel abroad is certainly welcomed. While going to a foreign country can be a great experience, it’s not without its dangers. Each year, a good number of tourists go “missing,” and never return home. No matter where you plan to go, here are some travel safety tips to help you stay safe while abroad.

Planning and Research: Before you go to any place, it’s also good to know as much as possible about the area, especially, a foreign country. Though it’s rather impossible to gauge when a natural disaster will strike next, it pays to be informed about past occurrences, to avoid the seasons which may be most dangerous. Find out if any vaccination or special medication is required for your destination. For instance, people who go to places of high altitude may need some medication to deal with spells of dizziness, and the like. It’s useful to make a list of contact information covering such places such as: the embassy, local hospital, local police station, local travel insurance representative, and others.

Protecting Yourself: If you are traveling alone, try not to go out late at night. If traveling in a group, it’s always good to stick together as much as possible. Keep shiny and flashy accessories at home. In other words, it’s best to keep a low profile. As for cash and credit cards, just carry what’s essential for the trip. It’s safer to use traveler’s check or its equivalent. To prevent identity theft, don’t give out any personal information to strangers. In fact, you are not advised to get too close with strangers, especially those who appear to be overwhelmingly “friendly.”

Illegal Drugs and Alcohol: Never take illegal drugs. Many people have negative experiences when they purchase or use illegal drugs, especially in a foreign land. They can end up being robbed, cheated, imprisoned, or worse. On the occasion where you need to consume alcohol, always practice self-control. Other than ruining your vacation, you may also get yourself into further trouble. If you get injured while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, you will not be covered by your travel insurance policy.

Respecting Local Laws and Customs: You have probably heard of the common adage: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Well, it’s actually applicable to every country. If you are fascinated enough to travel a great distance to go to a foreign land, it makes sense to respect the local laws and customs as well. Would you like it if some foreigners disrespect your country’s laws and customs? When you travel abroad, it’s always good to keep an open mind because the laws and customs of one country can be very differently from your own.

While traveling abroad opens up a whole gamut of possibilities, pay attention to the negative ones as much as you embrace the positive ones.

The earliest records of insurance dates back to the 3rd century BC, and it was probably started by the Babylonians and Chinese traders. Life insurance started long ago too, during the time of the Greeks in 3rd century AD. Comparatively, travel insurance is a new type of insurance, and it is defined as a kind of insurance covering financial, medical, and other related losses incurred during travel. Travel insurance policy generally covers these losses for travel to a domestic location or foreign country.

The first modern day travel insurance company was called the Travelers Insurance Company, and it was launched on the 1st of April, 1864. The company was founded by James Batterson and the clients of the company were the first travelers to get insured “for the purpose of insuring travelers against loss of life or personal injury while journeying by railway or steamboat.” Now, about 150 years after the company opened its doors, travel insurance has become a huge industry, comprising of millions of insurance policy holders and premiums crossing $1 billion.

The insurance used by the Chinese and Babylonian traders about two millennia ago could be regarded as the first ever travel insurance. The Chinese traders used to reallocate their commodities across many boats, before crossing a treacherous stretch of water. If one of the boats capsized, it could greatly reduce the quantity of commodities. On the other hand, the Babylonians had a kind of insurance very similar to modern travel insurance. To fund their shipments, merchants usually took loans from moneylenders. Interestingly, the merchants would sometimes pay extra money to the lender, so the lender would not ask for a repayment of his loan if the shipment was lost or stolen. There is also a mention of this insurance system in the Code of Hammurabi.

The travel insurance industry throughout the world, particularly the US, was growing steadily since the early 20th century, but the growth was rather slow compared to other types of insurance. The turning point in the history of travel insurance policy was the 9/11 incident. It was after this horrendous event that the sale of travel insurance began to shoot up throughout the US and the world. Prior to the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks, about 10% of Americans had travel insurance, but after the incident, the percentage increased to 30% in a span of just a couple years.

Travel insurance companies of today offer different types of insurance policies for different people. Some popular travel insurance policies provide coverage for business travel, student travel, leisure travel, and international travel. Trip cancellation, accidental death, overseas funeral expenses, medical expenses, theft of personal possessions, curtailment and legal assistance are some of the typical risks covered by travel insurance policies.

Many travelers are aware of the advantages of purchasing travel insurance. The number of global travelers is ever on the increase, and the risks of travel are on the increase as well. That is why more travelers are purchasing travel insurance. As a result, the travel insurance industry is expanding at an exponential rate.

Vacationers or travelers should get a travel insurance policy before they go on their trips; they will be covered for expenses resulting from emergency situations, such as: accidents, injuries, baggage loss and theft. Many travel insurance agents offer policies providing coverage for certain things that may not be necessary, and this will increase the premium significantly. To get the best travel insurance deals, travelers should choose only the types of coverage they need and conduct a travel insurance comparison. Here are the types of coverage typically needed by most travelers:

Cancellation
Coverage for cancellation is necessary because it compensates for the amount of money that will be lost in case a policy holder cancels a trip. It is beneficial to travelers who are spending a lot of money on a trip, but it may not be necessary for those who are traveling on low-cost flights, because the potential loss is not that high.

Medical Expenses
Getting medical treatment in a foreign country can be very expensive, and therefore, it is important to get travel insurance coverage for medical expenses, in case accidents happen and medical care is needed. Medical expenses coverage usually offers compensation for treatment costs, hospitalization fees, and emergency evacuation. It is not necessary to get policies offering extremely high maximum compensation, but travelers should make sure their policies offer compensation of at least one or two million dollars for medical expenses.

Personal Liability
This covers the policy holder if they cause injury to other people or damage to their properties. There is also an option in some policies for policy holders to get separate coverage for legal expenses.

Cash, Luggage, and Personal Belongings
Travelers will need coverage for their cash, luggage, and personal belongings, to get compensation in the event of damage, loss, or theft. Although it does not happen very often, a common carrier may make a mistake resulting in the permanent loss of luggage. Having coverage for baggage will ensure the traveler compensation for the loss. Those who are bringing valuable belongings, such as: laptops, jewelry, or expensive sports or activity equipment, will benefit greatly from a personal belongings insurance coverage should their belongings get damaged, lost, or stolen.

Other types of coverage beneficial to travelers include: travel curtailment, accidental death, and travel supplier default. Travel curtailment coverage provides compensation for an unused part of a trip when a traveler or a family member becomes seriously ill or injured that the trip has to be discontinued. Some travel suppliers may not be reliable, and they may default from their commitment to provide travel services or they may just go out of business. Travel default coverage will prevent such incidents from ruining travel plans by providing compensation for extra expenses incurred in engaging a new travel supplier.
The choice of travel insurance coverage depends on the preferences and needs of different individuals. Some travelers are prepared to take more risks than others, but the types of coverage mentioned above should be sufficient to ensure a worry-free and pleasurable trip.

Most vacationers and travelers will opt for single trip travel insurance when they travel, but frequent travelers should consider getting an annual travel insurance policy instead. Annual multi trip travel insurance provides coverage for all trips made within a year.

The major benefit that an annual plan travel insurance policy offers regular travelers is savings. Rather than paying for a single trip travel insurance policy each time they travel, which can add up to quite a lot of money, those who travel frequently can purchase an annual multi trip travel insurance policy and get the same coverage for every trip at a lower overall price. The savings will be greater for travelers who go on many trips, but generally, it will benefit those who travel more than two times a year. In some cases, one annual plan policy is even more affordable than two single trip insurance policies.

Other than savings, an annual multi trip travel insurance policy also provides great convenience for regular travelers. This is especially true for business travelers, because it means they do not have to book travel insurance every time they go on a business trip. Adventurous travelers who may make last minute trips will also find that an annual travel insurance plan is a better option, because they may not have enough time to make arrangements for travel insurance before their trips. Annual travel insurance also provides coverage for eventualities that are more likely to happen to adventurous travelers.

There are different types of annual multi trip insurance policies to suit the needs of different travelers. Families and couples can avail of special annual travel insurance packages that offer great discounts, and some policies even offer free coverage for children. Another option usually offered with an annual travel insurance plan is activity-based coverage. Such a plan can cover a variety of sports and recreational activities as well as special events, such as: golfing, winter sports, or weddings, but the coverage is usually only valid for a limited number of days, and extra money has to be paid to extend the duration of the coverage. Many travel insurance agents also provide special policies for businesspeople and professionals, and these policies offer coverage for certain work-related activities, but they are usually not available to manual workers.

One of the main reasons why travelers choose annual multi trip insurance is because it is flexible, and it can be easily customized to suit the insurance needs of different individuals or groups. Besides getting extra coverage for special activities, travelers can choose to exclude certain coverage items, such as: baggage, cancellation, or cash, and get a discounted rate. Ordinarily, an annual travel insurance plan has a limited coverage of 31 days for each trip within the year, but the duration of coverage can be extended to 45 days or 60 days at an additional cost.

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

Many travelers spend a lot of time and effort planning the perfect vacations, and then, they will purchase just about any travel insurance policies available at the last minute. One thing they do not realize is they can get better coverage and save a considerable amount of money if they spend enough time searching for the best travel insurance policy.

What to look for when purchasing a travel insurance policy?

One of the first things travelers should look at is the extent of coverage of a travel insurance policy. Some policies are expensive because they cover a number of things not applicable to every traveler. The basic things that need coverage are: personal liability, medical expenses, cancellation, cash, and baggage. Travelers can gain considerable savings if they can find a policy that only covers these things.

Travelers who are bringing valuable belongings, such as: a laptop, jewelry, or expensive sports equipment, should consider getting additional coverage for these items.

While it is beneficial to get a travel insurance policy that is well-priced, travelers should also take a look at other aspects of a travel insurance policy. The maximum compensation is one factor to consider, because it will decide how much a person can claim if accidents or loss of belongings should occur. While there is no need to pay extra for a policy offering tens of millions as coverage for medical expenses, travelers should make sure the compensation is sufficient. Anything around one or two million dollars for medical expenses should be enough.

There are many different types of travel insurance policies to choose from, and the two most common policies are single trip travel insurance and annual multi trip insurance. Generally, travelers who make frequent trips to other places within the year should opt for annual multi trip travel insurance, because it will be more cost-effective than purchasing several single trip policies.

Those who are traveling only once or twice a year will find that single trip travel insurance is more suitable for them. There are also special single trip policies that provide coverage for special activity-based vacations, such as: skiing, scuba diving, rock climbing, and jungle adventures, which are high risk activities most ordinary travel insurance policies do not cover. Travelers should find out from their travel insurance agents if they offer special insurance packages for families, senior citizens, backpackers, or people with existing medical conditions. These special policies either offer more attractive rates or better benefits.

Another thing travelers should look for when they are purchasing travel insurance policies is the availability of 24-hour assistance. This is particularly useful in the event of emergencies. Although it rarely happens, travelers may find their travel companies, charter flight companies, or tour operators have gone out of business just when they are about to start their vacations. One way to prevent such incidents from ruining a perfectly planned vacation is to request financial failure coverage from the travel insurance agent.

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

Travel insurance is a necessity for travelers because it provides compensation for accidents or loss of belongings that may occur during a trip. While most travelers are concerned with getting the best prices for accommodations, transportation, and travel packages, few of them are aware they can save a lot of money on travel insurance too.

First of all, it is important for travelers to know what kind of insurance coverage they need during their trips. Some travel insurance agents will offer policies with extra unnecessary coverage, and this means travelers will be paying a higher price for their travel insurance. One way to save money on travel insurance is to purchase a policy that provides only the necessary coverage, which usually includes medical expenses, personal liability, baggage, cancellation, and cash. It will also be beneficial if the travel insurance company can provide coverage for legal expenses. In the end, the amount of coverage needed depends on circumstances. Those who are traveling on a low-cost flight may not need coverage for cancellation because the amount of money they stand to lose from missing the flight is not very high.

Making the right choice between single trip travel insurance and annual multi trip insurance can also help travelers save money. Most travelers opt for annual multi trip travel insurance because many travel insurance agents offer single trip insurance at very high rates. It is also possible to find single trip travel insurance policies that are very affordable, and travelers who want to save money should do some travel insurance comparison shopping to find such deals. The choice between single trip and annual multi trip insurance should be based on the number of times a person travels in a year. Generally, those who go on overseas trips more than two times a year will be able to save more money with an annual multi trip travel insurance policy, while single trip travel insurance is the better option for those who are going overseas only once or twice a year.

It is also important to look for a special travel insurance policy designed for specific needs, because these policies offer great savings for those who are eligible. The most common special insurance is family travel insurance, which provides combined coverage for families and couples at lower overall rates. Senior travelers can take advantage of the special senior travel insurance policies, offering better coverage and benefits. Backpackers and those who have an existing medical condition can also avail of long-stay insurance policies and special policies for pre-existing conditions.

To get the best insurance deals, it is advisable travelers shop around and compare deals first before they decide which travel insurance policy is most beneficial to them. While the price is an important consideration when choosing travel insurance policies, travelers should also look at other benefits offered.

Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/annia316/