Traveling overseas on a vacation or for work requires proper preparation. Part of this preparation could include the purchase or travel insurance.
This type of insurance provides many types of coverage that is needed if you happen to encounter certain situations during a brief or extended trip.
You can protect yourself from various problems and issues that may occur when traveling overseas by obtaining coverage provided by this insurance.
Trip Cancellation Coverage
The most common concern for overseas travelers is the cancellation of their trip. Coverage that is provided for the cancellation of a trip will pay for the cost of plane tickets, a charter fishing boat, a hotel room and a cruise package.
If costs that you have paid are non-refundable, trip cancellation coverage pays for these expenses. Reasons for the cancellation of a trip include sickness, death, injury, a flight cancellation and destinations that suffer terrorist attacks.
Medical Expense Coverage
Medical coverage that you have typically does not provide coverage when you travel abroad. This also includes medical coverage from Medicare. If you enjoy a cruise on a foreign-flagged ship, many of the health insurance companies in the United States may not offer coverage.
You can use medical expense coverage of a travel insurance policy to pay for accidents and emergency medical care that you require when on a foreign trip.
Emergency Evacuation Coverage
If you are injured abroad, you can use emergency evacuation coverage to cover expenses incurred for a medically equipped flight back home or the use of an airlift. Paying for these costs yourself will cost up to $50,000 or more. These payments will also include transport to a local hospital from the location you have suffered an injury.
Loss or Delay Coverage
Delays and loss of your baggage can occur when you travel abroad. To protect yourself from these type of situations you need baggage coverage, baggage delay coverage and travel delay coverage. These are additional coverage that you can apply to your policy.
Baggage coverage will pay to have your personal belongings in your luggage reimbursed. Baggage delay coverage can be used to purchase items that are necessary until your baggage arrives at your destination. Travel delay coverage pays for a hotel room or extra meals if your flight has been delayed.
Available Travel Assistance
The purchase of insurance should include phone assistance that is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. You may need this support if a medical issue arises when you are abroad.
The use for this type or assistance is beneficial to locate a nearby hospital and to coordinate needed transportation. Check your insurance policy to see what type of phone assistance is available and any requirements you may need to know.
Excluded Coverage
insurance policies typically will not cover acts of war or local protests. If you suffer from a pre-existing medical conditions, they are not covered by your policy. A travel insurance policy will also not cover injuries for certain types of sporting activities such as bungee jumping.
Tips
Researching a policy for travel insurance can be done by using the internet. You can also ask about this type of insurance if a travel agent is used to arrange your trip. Compare the coverage that is provided by each policy and choose one that will need your needs.