5 Things To Expect In A Travel Insurance Policy

By Author: omega
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“Never travelling is alright but travelling without an Insurance is never alright”

More than 20% of the people in Dubai think that Travel Insurance is not necessary because they feel that if something goes wrong during the Travel, the Airlines will take care of all the problems related to flight cancellation, loss of baggage etc.
If you a frequent traveller who tours in and out of the Country for Business or family vacations often, it is very beneficial if you sign up for a Travel Insurance Scheme.
But there are some factors you have to keep in mind before choosing the Insurance Scheme.

What are the pointers I have to keep in mind before signing a Travel Insurance Scheme?
There are 5 elements to watch out for and make sure that they are covered before signing up for a travel Insurance in Dubai. They are:
1.Emergency Medical Expenses during Travel
2.Cover against trip cancellation and interruption of the journey
3.Loss of Luggage during Travel
4.Missed or cancelled flights & Delayed Departures
5.Cover for loss of passport

Travel ...
... Medical Expenses Cover
If the 20% of Dubai Residents we mentioned earlier are reading this, we hope you would have understood by now that your Medical Insurance may not cover health related expenses while in another Country.
Medical Expenses in USA easily exceed $ 9,000. If there is an emergency situation and should you be taken back to your hometown for treatment, the sum easily snowballs to more than $ 100,000. Imagine how you will manage these expenses without a Travel Medical Insurance Cover?

More than 95% of Travel Insurance Policies cover Emergency Medical expenses but it is always better to be careful than be sorry. Therefore, make sure to check the availability and benefits of the Medical cover before agreement.

Cover Against Trip Cancellation and Interruption
Another very important yet easily neglected benefit is Trip cancellation and Interruption cover. From a small kid to a senior Citizen, one thing that never fails to excite is Travel. If such an expected and planned tour is pre-empted due to some reason or the other, disappointment aside, think about the financial loss you will incur from all the booked flight tickets – particularly if you have to buy tickets again!

If it is only your travel that is cancelled you can make up for the cost but let’s say you were about to travel to some place as a family involving 5 or 6 people. Then? How are you going to make up for such a huge loss?

This is the sole reason why you have to be certain about your Travel Insurance covering the amount for cancelled flight tickets but on one condition; you ought to have a valid reason why the cancellation was for reasons not within your control.

Ensure cover against Loss of Luggage during Travel
With so much of expectation and anticipation, you head out for a Business Trip to a Country you have never been before. Since it is a Business tour you might be carrying important documents and costly electronic gadgets like laptop and iPad. Due to some unfortunate reason, say, careless handling of your luggage by people working in the airport or some co-passenger who mistook your bag for his, your luggage has gone missing.

How are you going to handle this situation? 70% of the time, the airlines will help you sort out this situation and get your baggage delivered to you within the next 2 or 3 days. But what if your presentation was on the same day or the following day? You cannot give reasons and excuses for people out there and even if somehow you can, what about the other 30% where airlines are not able to track your luggage?

A Travel Insurance that covers Loss or damage of luggage is a definite must because with this, you will be able to recover any financial loss you may have to incur for the loss of your baggage, at least up to the limit specified in the Travel Policy.

Missed or cancelled flights & Delayed Departures
There are two major reasons why your trip might be cancelled.
1.Some unavoidable situation where you really can’t travel
2.Airline delayed and cancelled flights

At least you know you are responsible for the first reason and it is completely because of you why you can’t travel but the second reason is really annoying and stressful. You would have planned so much and might be looking forward but if everything goes in vain because of the flight cancellation then your whole travel plan might be wasted.
50% of the airlines arrange for an alternative in the event of flight cancellation but what if you have booked for a Cruise trip? The airlines might provide an alternate accommodation but the Cruise will not wait for you. Who will cover for the loss? Definitely not the Airlines.
From providing your whole accommodation during delayed departure to covering for the loss succeeding the event of flight cancellation, the Travel Insurance Scheme inclusive of Missed or Cancelled flights and Delayed Departure will take care.
This is the reason why watching out for a Travel Insurance covering this Policy is inevitable.

Cover for loss of passport
Some people are by nature terrified to travel (hodophobia) and in spite of stepping out of their comfort zone, if some issue like loss of passport kicks in, how will they manage the loss?
Worse when travelling to a Country where the language is unknown. If you know the language, you can communicate to people there and ask for help. If you don’t understand what they speak and they do not understand what you say, how will you sort things out? You can only rely on the help from the Police and the embassy or consulate of your own country.
Availing a Travel Insurance will help to cover for the Loss of passport and as per the pointers mentioned in the policy, the Insurance Provider will do the needful.

“Not knowing is alright but knowing and not doing is never alright”

Why wait when you can reap maximum benefits? Avail a Travel Insurance but make sure it covers all the 5 issues mentioned in the checklist above. Travel safe and create unforgettable Sweet Memories! Bon Voyage!