TripZillaBefore we zoom into individual coverage that you must always look out for in travel insurances, here are two golden rules to keep in mind:
1. Insurance companies have the most practical people in the world, they demand everything black and white. Always make sure you walk away with detailed written evidence if you want to claim insurance.
2. In a foreign country, hospitals and police stations are your best friends, if anything unfortunate happens to you, always look for either of them to get the billion-dollar report. They almost always triumph over any report that you file!
With that, let’s move on to the list of must-have coverages for your travel insurance.
Emergency Medical and Dental Expenses
Unless you want to come home with a SGD20, 000 worth of hospital debt because of that unfortunate fall you suffered while hiking up Mt. Kinabalu, you’re better off getting the most important coverage – medical expenses.
Most, if not all, travel insurances will have reimbursement for (almost) any injuries or illnesses that you sustained during your trip.
Beware that some insurance does not cover medical history such as asthma, skin rashes and so on, so be extra cautious of these unspoken loopholes in the insurance as you sift through the terms and conditions.
Other common coverage includes emergency assistance and evacuation costs and hospital confinement for every 24-hour hospitalisation.
Also Read: 3 Reasons to Say “Yes” to Travel Insurance
Accidental Death or Permanent Disability
If your supposedly happy holiday suddenly took a sinister turn that cost you your limbs or worst, you life, or your loved ones, travel insurance will compensate you if you, or your family members make a claim within 90 days from the incident. You can also claim for reimbursement for the transportation of the remains back to Singapore.
Some insurance companies will still maintain a list of occurrences that are not covered. Cases such as suicide, natural causes and drugs overdose are most likely exempted from such coverage.
Luggage issues
Do not think for one second that your luggage will never fail you. When you’re at the bottom pit of your luck, all sorts of poppycock will find their way to you. From a malfunctioning lock to broken handles, don’t be surprised if you travel with a perfectly working luggage and come back with bits and pieces.
You can claim for damage or loss of personal belongings per article. Again, the unspoken term is that if your loss is self-induced (such as carelessness or negligence), such reasons may be exempted from the coverage. So watch that space!
Theft
Pocketful of cash, unfamiliar to local environment and for some, clueless about the spoken language, what other better target for theft than travellers? For instance in Sweden, beggar syndicates can pose as street buskers and approach you for a photo when they’re actually out to swindle your juicy wallets.
All these reasons make insurance against theft an important coverage to have. If your items, cash or valuables are stolen, you can claim the loss. Remember the golden rule? Always file a report for written evidence. Be mindful that cash loss will only be covered if it had been stolen while it was carried on you or locked in a safety deposit box.
Travel delays
Before you jump up and start collating all the records of flight delays, travel insurance will only reimburse for every 12 consecutive full hours of the delay. You may also claim if you miss your transportation to your next destination and have no other mode of transport available within the next 8 consecutive hours. Some airlines have in-flight travel insurance that also covers travel delays and flight cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances (such as petrol leakage or rough weather). Just make sure you don’t throw your money away by purchasing two insurance of the same coverage.
Trip cancellations
As you may expect by now, not all trip cancellations are covered. As usual, insurance company will state specifically, the list of incidences that allow you to claim. Usually they are reasons out of your control, such as travel company closed down. In this case, you are allowed to claim all losses you have made in accommodation and travel arrangements that cannot be recovered from any other source.
Also Read: Travel Insurance Simplified – Know What Your Travel Plan Really Covers
However, if trip cancellations are due to personal reasons, such as the unfortunate death of your loved ones, chances are such reasons will not be covered by the insurance.
Loss of travel documents
As with theft, if your passport and essential travel documents are stolen, robbed or due to other reasons that are out of your supervision, such as natural disaster, fire and explosion, make a police report within 24 hours of the incident before you decide to make a claim for loss of your travel documents, identifications and passport.
If you are eligible for coverage under this claim, the insurance will cover for the necessary cost in obtaining a replacement passport or identification documents.
Insurance for senior citizens
If you are travelling with your grandparents, or parents, this is a must to look out for in the insurance. Not only because it’s relatively cheaper than the ordinary travel insurance, it also has a slightly wider coverage, including old age sickness and injury. Elderly age 70 and above are qualified for senior citizens insurance, a great encouragement if you wish to bring your parents or grandparents for a getaway.
