{"id":2456,"date":"2024-10-15T14:12:58","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T09:12:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urdukhaber.com\/english\/?p=2456"},"modified":"2024-10-15T14:14:15","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T09:14:15","slug":"should-you-get-travel-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urdukhaber.com\/english\/finance\/should-you-get-travel-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Get Travel Insurance?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When you\u2019ve got a big vacation ahead of you, insurance is the last thing on your mind.<\/p>\n

Why worry about that when you\u2019re too busy buying your tickets, packing your bags, and reading up on all the local hotspots?<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get ahead of yourself\u2014learning about travel insurance may not be glamorous, but you\u2019ll want to do your research before your next jet-set getaway.<\/p>\n

Read on to learn what travel insurance is, what it covers, who needs it, and how you can get it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What\u2019s travel Insurance?<\/h3>\n

Travel insurance helps ease the financial burden of issues and emergencies you may encounter during your trip. Though it\u2019s helpful for domestic travelers, travel insurance is particularly useful for international journeys.<\/p>\n

As soon as you leave the country, your national insurance probably isn\u2019t liable for claims. \u201cA lot of the time, people\u2019s domestic health insurance doesn\u2019t cover them when they travel internationally,\u201d notes Insurance Expert Dominic Rufran. \u201cIf it does, it\u2019s always a very small amount.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, good luck if your laptop gets stolen from the hotel pool or you break your arm on a hike. Without travel insurance, you\u2019re forced to pay for any unexpected crises out of pocket.<\/p>\n

Should you get it?<\/h3>\n

Yes! Don\u2019t convince yourself that it\u2019s a frivolous expense and you won\u2019t need it anyway. It doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re leaving the country for a year, a month, or even a few days\u2014if you\u2019re leaving the safety and protection of your home country, it\u2019s always a good idea to have your bases covered.<\/p>\n

Will you have to use it? Probably not. Will it save you if something unexpected happens?<\/p>\n

Absolutely. Spending a few hundred dollars on a policy is a lot better than owing thousands (or hundreds of thousands) if disaster strikes.<\/p>\n

What are my options?<\/h3>\n

Like standard insurance, travel insurance plans offer a variety of coverage for a variety of different rates. Before researching a plan, make a list of what your ideal plan will cover.<\/p>\n

Do you want your insurance to cover medical expenses?<\/p>\n

What about theft?<\/p>\n

Do you want to be reimbursed if your baggage gets lost?<\/p>\n

From there, narrow your list to 3-5 top priorities and use these preferences as a baseline.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve honed in on your key requirements, use them to find a plan that best fits your specific needs. Most travel insurance policies fall into\u00a0four distinct categories: medical, accident, evacuation, and package plans.<\/p>\n

Medical travel insurance, as the name suggests, assists with any expenses related to illness and injury.<\/p>\n

No matter where you are in the world, a medical policy will help you pay for medicine, doctor\u2019s visits, lab evaluations, and even surgery. Though any traveler can apply for medical travel insurance, it\u2019s most ideal for long overseas trips for business or school.<\/p>\n

In some cases, medical travel insurance is legally required \u2014 many study abroad programs, for instance, won\u2019t admit you unless you provide proof of a travel medical policy.<\/p>\n

Accident insurance covers \u2014 you guessed it\u2014 accidents.<\/p>\n

Accident insurance policies focus on AD&D protection, aka accidental death and dismemberment. Yeah, it\u2019s pretty grisly. It may be an unpleasant thought, but accidental death and severe injuries are particularly expensive. More often than not, it\u2019s your family who will carry the financial burden.<\/p>\n

With an accident policy, though, your loved ones are protected from sudden debt. Some accident plans double as life insurance, ensuring your spouse and any dependents are taken care of.<\/p>\n

Evacuation insurance policies are some of the least popular options available.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re traveling to the South of France, the likelihood of evacuation is infinitesimal. If you\u2019re heading to a politically shaky, war-torn, or otherwise unstable region, having evacuation insurance is a good idea. Typical evacuation policies cover medical and transportation costs in the event of medical evacuation (like life flight) or national security evacuations.<\/p>\n

Package plans are the most versatile option available for travelers. Package travel insurance policies typically provide medical, accident, and evacuation coverage, as well as coverage for trip cancellations and trip interruptions. It\u2019s your safest bet, but it\u2019s also one of the most expensive options.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re traveling for short periods of time, medical, accident, or evacuation insurance (or some combination of the three) is probably enough. If you travel internationally frequently and\/or for extended amounts of time, however, a package plan is a worthwhile investment.<\/p>\n

No matter which policy you choose, some measure of protection is always better than nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recommend getting any insurance you can, especially if you\u2019re going to another country,\u201d says Matt Ehmann, Insurance Representative at Kerry Phillips Shelter Insurance. \u201cDifferent parts of the world can be unstable and unpredictable. Best to have something.\u201d<\/p>\n

How can I get travel insurance?<\/h3>\n

Getting travel insurance is easier than you may think. In many cases, travel booking sites offer a travel insurance option that you can add to your ticket or hotel purchase.<\/p>\n

All you have to do is hit \u201cyes\u201d when asked if you\u2019d like to buy a policy (be sure to research the terms beforehand!) and finalize your purchase. If you\u2019re using a travel agent, they can give you a plan, too. Agents can help steer you towards your ideal plan and, more importantly, steer you away from a bad one.<\/p>\n

You can also get travel insurance from an independent agency. Many agencies exclusively offer travel insurance plans, so they\u2019ll have plenty of options available for you. Some agencies, in fact, can help you draft a personal plan that\u2019s unique to you and your needs.<\/p>\n

Treat travel insurance as you would any other major purchase and\u00a0research before you buy.<\/p>\n

Think you\u2019ve found a good plan? Don\u2019t just enter your card number and call it good.<\/p>\n

Be sure to compare and contrast a wide variety of plans and providers before you make a final commitment. Make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to research before your trip \u2014 this isn\u2019t the kind of purchase you want to make in the airport terminal.<\/p>\n

The bottom line<\/h3>\n

No matter how long you\u2019ll be away, travel insurance is extremely valuable for any overseas trip.<\/p>\n

Accidents happen, and when they do, you\u2019ll be grateful you\u2019re protected. So pack your bags and get ready for adventure \u2014 your policy will protect you every step of the way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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