Planning an exciting trip to the serene mountains of Himachal Pradesh or the vibrating beaches of Goa? Or it could be some international adventure that might enthuse you. While packing your bags and planning the itinerary is an important task, there is one thing that gets skipped by many travelers—travel insurance.
Here is a discussion of the top mistakes you need to avoid while buying travel insurance, specially tailored for the Indian audience.
1. Ignoring the Fine Print
We realize it can be a big bore to read the fine print. This little step, though, can save you many hassles in the future. Countless exclusions and conditions bring about policies that might not seem very obvious from the outside. A few examples are cases in which certain travel insurance policies not only exclude riskier adventure sports but also pre-existing medical conditions. Be clear about what is covered and what is not before buying.
2. Pre-Existing Conditions Not Considered
A lot of travelers are under the impression that travel insurance packages provide some sort of protection against any form of medical emergency that might befall one. This surely is not the case. Most basic policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions unless otherwise noted. Be sure to choose a plan that will actually deal with your health concerns in case you have any.
3. Buying the Cheapest Policy
The urge to always go for the cheapest is very great, but the cheapest insurance policy may not be the best. Less expensive policies have low coverage and high deductibles. You should, therefore, strike a middle ground between cost and coverage; that is, make sure you are well protected without having to spend a fortune.
4. Not considering the length of your trip
Another common mistake is not matching the period of travel insurance with your exact trip duration. Some policies may have a maximum length of trip, so if your trip extends beyond, then you may not be covered during the whole period. Always double-check the duration of your policy and ensure it covers you from start to finish.
5. Not checking for adventure activity coverage:
This is an absolute haven for adventure seekers, be it snow-capped Himalayan treks or scuba diving in Andaman. Not all travel insurance policies will, however, bear the risks associated with adventure sports. Therefore, if you are going to have any such adventurous activity, then you should make sure that your policy covers it.
6. Not Checking the Claim Process
The last thing any of us wants, if we need to make a claim, is a procedure full of headaches and frustration. Research the claim process a potential insurer has in place before you buy a policy. Check for reviews or testimonials from other travelers to get an idea of just how easy it was to go through their claims process.
7. Geographical Coverage—Not Looking Far Enough
In the event that you will be traveling out of the country, ensure that your holiday insurance has coverage for all countries to which you are traveling. Some policies could exclude certain countries or result in additional premiums. In case you are traveling within your home country, ensure that the policy provides for regions you will be visiting or any activities you will engage in.
8. Not Declaring High-Value Items
In case you are going to carry expensive gadgets, jewelry, or other such items, then it is upon you to declare them while purchasing travel insurance. Unless you declare such items, they shall not be covered in case of theft or loss. One should always check the policy limits on personal belongings and declare high-value items to make sure they are protected.
9. Emergency Assistance Services Missed
Most travelers hardly care about the emergency assistance facilities most travel insurance companies are offering. Such facilities might save your life in times of medical emergencies, loss of luggage, and many other mishaps. Ensure you have full emergency assistance in your policy and know how to get this facility.
10. Failure to Renew Your Policy
If you travel frequently, purchase an annual travel insurance policy instead of buying a new policy every time you plan to travel. This saves much of your money and your precious time. However, do not forget to renew it on time; otherwise, the policy will get lapsed.
11. Underestimating Medical Evacuation Coverage
Medical emergencies abroad can be overwhelming. Medical evacuations can be very expensive. Ensure that your travel insurance is good enough for medical evacuation, especially when you are venturing into remote or less developed areas. This may mean the difference between life and death—both in terms of cost and real life.
12. Forgetting About Trip Cancellation Coverage
Life is full of surprises, and you never know when you are going to drop your plan due to certain unavoidable circumstances like falling ill or any crisis within the family, or even natural disasters. The trip cancellation coverage will refund to you some of those irretrievable costs. You must be sure to purchase a policy that includes both trip cancellation and interruption benefits, which aids in protecting your investment.
13. Not Comparing Several Policies
Do not end up buying the first policy that comes your way. Looking and comparing a few policies with some insurance providers may prove worth the effort. You can go online and check coverage, benefits, and exclusions side by side. By this, you will have a proper decision, and the right policy will be bought for your needs.
14. Not Updating Your Policy
In case you have purchased your insurance policy and your journey plans change, say, you will stay longer or go to another country, do update your policy. Un-updated policy may not be able to cover your new plans, and this will leave you uncovered when you need it.
15. Forgetting to include family members
If you are traveling as a family, you often have the ability to buy a family travel insurance policy, which can be cheaper and easier to administer than individual policies. Most of these family policies encompass better coverage with lower per-person rates. Just make sure that all of your family is adequately covered under the policy.
16. Brushing Off Local Laws and Requirements
Some countries are specific regarding what visitors should have in the way of travel insurance. For example, some countries would require that applicants for Schengen visas have a minimum of €30,000 travel insurance to cover cases of medical emergencies. Be aware of local laws and any requirements and observe them when offering travel insurance.
17. Not availing of travel insurance
Travel insurance is not an ’emergency-only’ deal. Most of the policies have added advantages, which include travel assistance services, concierge services, and access to travel information and resources. Get familiar with all the benefits your policy has in store and maximize on them.
18. Relying Solely on Credit Card Coverage
While some credit cards can provide one or another form of travel insurance, the minimum coverage may not be adequate enough to protect all your needs. Definitely check out your credit card’s travel fine print and whether additional travel insurance is available to purchase.
19. Failure to Have the Right Documents Ready
This means you should have all your documents in order in case you are required to file for a claim. Scan and file a hard copy of the policy, receipts, medical records, among other documents. It will fasten your claiming process and ensure you get your benefits without delay.
20. Assuming Coverage for Non-Medical Emergencies
This sector has not only medial travel insurance related to it. Other non-medical emergencies are trip delays, lost baggage, and loss of travel documents. Make sure that your policy contains this aspect so you are covered for any eventuality when you travel.
Conclusion
Travel insurance is your safety net to ensure that your journey remains enjoyable and stress-free even when unexpected things happen. Help yourself sidestep these common mistakes and ensure a best-buy in travel insurance that is tailored to your needs. This is all about not just the cheapest but comprehensive coverage that gives peace of mind. So, next time you are planning, just take a minute and really assess your travel insurance options.
Safe journey, and happy travels!
Visit AapkaPolicyWala for more professional advice on travel insurance and to buy some of the best policies catering to Indian travelers.