Travel Insurance: Should I, Shouldn’t I?

 
“Have you got travel insurance?”. It’s the one question you’re always asked. By the travel agent, by the airlines’ website, by your mother. Some travellers won’t board the plane without it while others see it as a necessary evil. The fine print can be downright confusing and the cost of buying travel insurance is so darn expensive, and for what? If you’re still sitting on the fence, we’ve covered a few of the ins and outs that may help you make a more informed decision for your next holiday.
Jasmine hiking in the Atlas mountains, Morocco

IS IT NECESSARY TO BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE?

What, Why, Where

Travel insurance is there to protect you should something go wrong during your holiday, or before as we’ll discuss further on. It’s essentially a gamble that you take – everything can go smoothly and you rage at the fact that you’ve forked out money on something that you haven’t actually “used”. But should an unexpected turn of events take place leaving you stranded, inconvenienced or injured, you’ll undoubtedly be thanking the heavens.

Travel insurance is valid for international and domestic travel with varying levels of cover depending on the activities you take part in during your holiday, the length of your trip and the destinations that you travel to.

DID YOU KNOW? – Travel insurance is more expensive when travelling to the USA because of the country’s high medical costs.

Bevan taking in the views with his snowboard at Val Thorens, France
Signs in the ski fields at the top of Val Thorens, France

Included or Excluded

It is imperative that you read the fine print and understand what is included and excluded under your travel insurance policy. If you need specific coverage for an activity or particular destination, make sure to check with your provider whether it is covered. We’ve summarised some of the more common items that are included or excluded in standard travel insurance policies. These inclusions often come with limits, so as always, read the fine print. Excluded options can be added to a policy depending on the provider and activity.

INCLUDED EXCLUDED
Cancellation, curtailment and trip interruption Pre-existing medical conditions
Lost, stolen or damaged baggage, personal effects or travel documents High risk sports (scuba diving, skiing)
Medical treatment Incidents involving alcohol and/or drugs
Travel delays due to weather Rental car coverage
Repatriation of remains  Some cancellations

Travel Insurance Lingo

Jasmine on the edge of Trolltunga taking in the view over the fjord - Norway

Cover Me Up

Your choice of cover will vary depending on the duration of your holiday, the frequency of your trips and the type of activities you wish to participate in. Here are some factors for your consideration:

Who To Choose?

There are so many travel insurance providers that choosing a policy can be a daunting task.

Most credit card providers sell travel insurance policies too. Money.com recently put together a list of their top-rated American travel credit cards of 2020, advising eager intrepid souls that that while some travel credit cards offer mild insurance coverage, it is often not comprehensive. If you lose your luggage, get stranded due to airline problems, or need to travel for family medical emergencies, you may be covered. However, it is very rare, if not impossible, to find a travel credit card that offers medical coverage in any capacity. If you’re looking for travel insurance, it is suggested you look elsewhere for a more comprehensive plan.

Travel agents and banks can help you navigate the murky terms and conditions and fine print. Alternatively, specialist insurance companies such as Worlds Nomads and Covermore offer relatively clear and comprehensive travel insurance policies. In addition, these companies are likely to be able to provide guidance on customising more niche travel insurance policies. Most providers will have phone, online and/or 24-hour assistance. Do your research and ensure you’re choosing the appropriate cover for YOU.

Bevan walking on a frozen canal in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

When To Purchase Travel Insurance

Don’t leave it to the last minute. It is recommended that you buy your travel insurance policy after you’ve booked any non-refundable components of your trip. Policies generally include coverage for cancellation costs due to unforeseen circumstances. This may include sudden illness or injury, natural disasters, strike or lost passports. There are also specific exclusions that you will need to review.

Should I, Shouldn’t I?

Ultimately, the choice is yours. While it is an extra expense, we personally wouldn’t overlook it in a hurry. The level of coverage that you choose for your travel insurance may vary depending on your risk profile. If you are generally healthy, travelling for a short period of time and visiting a low-risk country, you may deem travel insurance unnecessary. If you are the type of person to worry about the worst happening, you’re likely to take out a policy with more comprehensive coverage.

For us, travel insurance provides us with peace of mind. Having travel insurance could be the difference between a disrupted holiday and a nightmare that you never want to relive. Ask questions and ensure you understand the details before you enter into any agreement.

Strolling through Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Disclaimer
We are not and do not claim to be experts on travel insurance policies. Any information provided in this blog post should be considered general in nature. Please ensure that you seek professional and legal advice from a registered insurance provider.

What are your views on travel insurance? Have you had a memorable travel insurance claim experience? Feel free to share your comments and stories below!

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Walking past a blue facade in Chefchaouen, The Blue Pearl, Morocco
A couple sitting on the edge of an empty pool surrounded by palm trees, Morocco

2 thoughts on “Travel Insurance: Should I, Shouldn’t I?”

  1. Personally I feel if you can’t afford travel insurance, you shouldn’t travel!!!

    We’ve only made 2 claims throughout our travels.

    The first was for a Bali trip about 7 years ago, the Australian airline we’d booked with went bankrupt 2 weeks before our holiday was due to begin…. it was a $3,000 holiday so we were extremely lucky to have travel insurance – nothing changed except the airline and a $250 excess.

    2nd claim was a little more traumatic – during a cruise to PNG earlier this year, whilst bushwalking on an isolated island, I dislocated my ankle which caused me to fall and break my leg in 3 places…. this was a 4 hour rescue mission with tractor/trailer, the local’s fishing tinny to get me back to the cruise ship where I was hospitalised onboard for 2 days resulting in a $7,000 medical bill. The next few days the hospital staff suggested they move me to a larger stateroom as roomier and more comfortable than the cabin we’d booked as they warned us that keeping me in the ship’s hospital would be extremely pricey …. we were too far from the mainland to be medivac’d off the ship.

    So YES YES YES you need travel insurance, you never expect anything to happen to you whilst you’re on holidays but it can; we’ve travelled for over 20 years to over 35 countries and in that time we’ve only made these 2 insurance claims but imagine if we’d had to pay that $7,000 out of our pocket, wouldn’t make us too keen to travel overseas again.

    Reply
    • We strongly feel the same way about travel insurance! We also personally won’t travel on long, risky adventures without it. Jas is a worrywart anyway!! We have heard way too many terrible, unfortunate stories like yours to risk it and we don’t doubt that there are plenty of others that feel the same! ?

      Reply

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