TRAVEL INSURANCE: TRAVEL TIPS, TRICKS & HACKS
Published May 25, 2023, 12:20 p.m. by Courtney
If you're anything like us, you love to travel. And if you're anything like us, you know that one of the most important things you can do before hitting the road is to get travel insurance.
But what exactly is travel insurance? Do you need it? And if so, what kind?
In this article, we'll answer all of those questions and more. We'll give you the lowdown on travel insurance, share our top tips for finding the best policy for you, and let you in on a few hacks to make the most of your coverage.
So let's get started!
What is travel insurance?
Simply put, travel insurance is a type of insurance that covers you financially in the event that something goes wrong on your trip.
Most policies will cover things like medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost or stolen luggage, and emergency evacuation. Some may also cover things like flight delays, missed connections, and rental car damage.
Do I need travel insurance?
This is a question that we get a lot, and the answer is...it depends.
If you're traveling within your home country, chances are you don't need travel insurance. Your regular health insurance should cover you in the event of an accident or illness, and your credit card may provide some coverage for things like lost luggage or delayed flights.
However, if you're traveling outside of your home country, we recommend getting travel insurance. why? Because your regular health insurance likely won't cover you abroad, and if something does happen, the medical bills can be astronomically high.
Likewise, if you're taking a big international trip or going on a cruise, travel insurance can give you peace of mind in knowing that you're covered in case of an emergency.
How do I choose the best travel insurance policy for me?
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a travel insurance policy. But the three most important things to look at are coverage, cost, and customer service.
Coverage: First, you'll want to make sure that the policy you're considering covers all of the things that are important to you. For example, if you have a pre-existing medical condition, you'll want to make sure that your policy covers medical expenses related to that condition.
Cost: Second, you'll want to compare the cost of different policies. travel insurance policies can vary widely in price, so it's important to shop around and find one that fits your budget.
Customer service: Finally, you'll want to consider the customer service of the company you're considering. What happens if you need to make a claim? How easy is it to get in touch with someone? you'll want to make sure that you're choosing a company that will be easy to work with if you need to file a claim.
What are some tips for getting the most out of my travel insurance policy?
Now that you know a bit more about travel insurance, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your policy:
Read the fine print: Before buying a policy, be sure to read the fine print so you know exactly what's covered and what's not.
Buy early: If you can, buy your policy as soon as you start planning your trip. That way, you'll be covered in case you have to cancel for any reason.
Know your limits: Most policies have limits on the amount they'll pay out for things like medical expenses or lost luggage. Be sure to know what those limits are so you can plan accordingly.
Get multiple quotes: Don't just buy the first policy you see. Get multiple quotes from different companies so you can compare coverage and cost.
We hope this article has been helpful in answering some of your questions about travel insurance. Remember, if you're ever in doubt, it's always better to err on the side of caution and get a policy. After all, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!
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I'm Marko. I'm Alex. We're the Vagabrothers,
and in this video we're telling you everything you
need to know about travel insurance.
Boring, but important. No..Yeah
Boring. Dude, you're just going to have everyone shut
the video off. Hey! We're talking about something boring!
But important. Okay, anyways.
We're going to talk about what it is, when you need it,
and how to get it. Ready? Good. Let's go!
Travel insurance is protection against anything bad
that can happen while on the road,
from losing your luggage to losing your life.
Insurance is one of those things that you never need,
until you do. So let's start with what travel insurance covers.
The basic categories are: Medical Insurance
Emergency Evacuation; Accidental Death
and Dismemberment; Travel Protection;
and Baggage Protection.
Plans typically combine coverage from all these categories
So the way to save money is by knowing what you
do and don't need. Got that? Good
Let's dive into each category.
First up: medical insurance.
Now this is going to cover any bills you might have
from going to a hospital abroad.
But first, you need to think about where you're going.
In Europe or Canada, you might not need it because
health care is mostly free, even for foreigners.
But not so in the United States, where even
a quick visit to a hospital or doctor
could run you thousand of dollars out of pocket.
Remember that travel insurance is not a substitute for
the health care that you have back at home.
It's just protection against accidents overseas.
You can't use it to get your teeth cleaned, but it
will cover you if you get hospitalized for malaria.
That being said, if you are American ,or if you are already
paying for health care back home, there are global health care plans.
So, if you travel regularly, find a plan with global coverage.
Next up, we have emergency evacuation and
accidental death and dismemberment.
Nobody likes to think about dying or serious injury,
but when "shit hits the fan," you want this sort of coverage.
Emergency evacuation insurance pays for you to be
airlifted to a local hospital, or
flown all the way back home.
Imagine that you're back packing somewhere remote,
like the Canadian Rockies. You fall off
a cliff. Oh no. And you need a helicopter
ride to go back to the hospital and save your life.
Helicopter rides to the hospital are not cheap.
Or you could get in a serious accident in a developing country
where there's not a great health care system.
Emergency evacuation insurance will pay for you to fly home
so you can get proper treatment in your own country.
Without insurance, these situations can bankrupt you
and your family. They're are countless bars
in Southeast Asia with collection jars for back packers
who got in a motor cycle accident, are brain dead,
but too broke to fly their comatose bodies
back home. Don't be that person.
Still with us? Good. Now let's talk about travel protection.
Travel protection will reimburse you the cost of your trip
if for some reason, you have to cancel at the last minute
With travel protection, you get back the money from your
flights, as well as any other reservations you made
in advance.
So do you need this? If you're a traveler who
likes to book everything in advance,
then it probably makes sense to buy this.
But, if you prefer to arrive to a destination
and wing it, you probably don't need it.
Also ,keep in mind if you buy your airfare on your credit card,
you could be insured through your credit card,
so just double check before you make a purchase.
The last type of insurance is baggage protection,
which covers anything lost or damaged on your flight.
Airlines are liable for any baggage lost or stolen
up to a certain amount, and if you bought your ticket
with your credit card, that should have some coverage as well.
Just make sure you check the limits, and get insurance
for anything over that.
You can also insure your possessions against theft, loss, or damage,
which is really smart if you carry around laptops and
camera equipment. Again, you might already have
coverage if you have renter's insurance or homeowner's
insurance, so just check your policy to make sure..
Ladies and gentlemen. The time has come to choose a plan!
Consult the oracle!
Blasphemy!
Read the runes!
Pagans!
Go to the Vagabrothers. They always have good ideas.
That's a sensible plan. Let's do that!
In all seriousness, which ever plan you choose,
make sure that it includes the following:
coverage in the countries that you're visiting.
Obvious, but crucial.
Adequate protection for your valuables,
24 hour assistance.
Medical coverage for injuries and illnesses,
and protection from natural disasters,
civil unrest. war, or anything
else that might turn your holiday into a hell-aday.
Finally, remember that most plans do not cover the
following: extreme sports, skydiving, hang gliding,
bungie jumping or snowboarding off peaks.
Any accidents that happen when you were drunk or high.
And finally,
car accidents that involve a third party.
Basically, if you do anything dumb or reckless,
you're out of luck. So be smart.
If anything does happen, you're going to have to
file a claim to get reimbursed.
No matter which company you chose,
your insurer is going to do everything it can
to not pay you.
So remember to keep track of your receipts,
tickets, hotel booking, or whatever
electronics you bring with you.
Filing a claim is a pain in the ass.
It's going to take a lot of time, and there's a ton
of paperwork, so make sure you've double checked
everything before you send it in, or else you're going to have to do it all over again.
When it comes to picking a plan,
World Nomades.com is a good place to start.
It's an industry leader in travel insurance.
InsureMyTrip.com
also allows you compare different plans from around the world.
For more information, see the blogposts
on this topic on our website: Vagabrothers.com.
And you can also click the links down below
to World Nomads and Insure Your Trip.com
If you use those links while booking, it will help support
this channel at no extra costs to you guys.
All right guys, if you enjoyed that video, you know
what to do: give it a thumbs- up, share it with your
travel buddies and subscribe
by clicking that little button down there if
you haven't already. Also, if you have any tips of your
own, or more questions for videos that you'd like us to make
please put them in the comment box below.
For more travel tips, you can also see
this playlist right here.
Got a bunch of videos covering different topics,
so click that to check it out.
Or if you want to see some of our recent adventures
from the road, click over there.
In the meantime, stay curious, keep exploring,
and we'll see you guys on the road.
Peace.
