Purchasing travel insurance is certainly one of the most important things to do before leaving, especially if you are planning to go abroad. In some countries, health services can be expensive and you may even have difficulty accessing quality health services. It is essential to know that you can count on good health coverage when you travel. Just think of the United States, where treatments are extremely expensive and can become a vacation nightmare.
Travel insurance has become essential for traveling, but knowing which coverages are best suited to each traveler and how they can help can be complex. To make things easier for you, in this guide, we explain why it is advisable to take out travel insurance.
Illness or accident during the trip
You have organized an excursion during your trip, but that morning you wake up with severe stomach pains and a high fever. What to do? It is obvious that you will not be able to carry out the planned activity and that you will need urgent medical attention.
With a travel insurance policy, you will not have to pay for medical examinations and expenses in the event of illness or accident (hospitalization, consultation with a doctor general practitioner and specialist, medications on medical prescription, medical analysis, and emergency dental care). You will also receive help finding the most suitable hospital for your situation. If you need an interpreter, the insurance company will provide one to help you take advantage of the coverage offered.
Lost or delayed baggage
This can happen: the airline loses your suitcase or it will not be returned to you until the next flight arrives. With a travel insurance policy, you have the assurance that in the event of lost baggage, you will be assisted 24 hours a day. The airline will search, locate, and forward your baggage. In addition, it will inform you of the search for your luggage and will return it to you as soon as possible.
Travel insurance, for its part, can cover essential purchases in the event of delay and the reimbursement of baggage in case of declaration of loss or theft, following the sending of the documents provided by the airline.
Loss of travel documents
You have been traveling for a week when you realize that you have lost your passport. What to do? The insurance company’s coverage in the event of loss or theft of travel documents will allow you to accelerate the replacement process and payment of a new passport.
Flight cancellation
After enjoying your vacation, you go to the airport to catch your flight home when you discover that all flights have been canceled. The airline will reimburse you for the plane tickets of course, but what if you have to cancel your trip yourself?
In the event of cancellation of a trip before departure by the insured, if the cause is covered, such as illness, a personal problem, or visa, the insurance may cover the damage. Some travel insurance can also cover the extension of the stay if the return flight is impacted by a delay or change of schedule, for example.
Repatriation service
You are on vacation in Thailand when, following a serious accident, you have to be urgently repatriated to France. repatriation is one of the most complex procedures for insurance companies, due to the number of procedures and conditions to be fulfilled, which vary depending on the country in which the insured is located.
The travel insurance policy will help you in the event of medical repatriation following an injury or illness occurring during the trip; the company organizes and covers the costs of repatriation to your home.
Mandatory in some countries
Countries like Cuba, Ecuador, Algeria, Morocco, Qatar, or China (among others) require tourists to have compulsory travel insurance to enter the country. Therefore, if you do not present valid travel insurance, you will be refused entry into the country. This is one of the most important reasons to take out travel insurance because without it you won’t be able to get through the gates of some airports.
