Travel Insurance Coverage Information

You may be offered a travel insurance policy at the time of booking your travel. There are many people who refuse it because they are unclear as to what it is or what it covers. The travel insurance is to cover any medical expenses or financial losses such as money for non refundable payments made as well as many other items you may not expect. Travelers who are travelling internationally or within their own country can purchase travel insurance.

You can purchase travel insurance to cover the exact duration of your trip during booking or for more extensive coverage purchase a continuous policy from a travel insurance company, travel agent, or travel supplier such as a cruise line or tour operator. The insurance policy offered by travel suppliers tends to be less inclusive than those bought from a travel company so be cautious if purchasing through a travel supplier.

Any type of traveler may purchase the insurance including but not limited to the business traveler, adventure traveler, student traveler and the international traveler. There are many features that can be included in the policies to create the right one for your needs.

Some of the more common coverage items in the travel insurance policy are, medical expenses, injury or disablement benefits, accidental death, curtailment, legal assistance, liability for rental car damages, lost or delayed luggage to cover replacement of essential items, emergency evacuations, damage, theft, or loss of personal items such as money or travel documentation, trip cancellations, overseas funeral costs, and delayed trips.

The policies can be quite different from travel insurance companies and from travel suppliers. The price can be affected by the amount of coverage the traveler chooses to have. Some travel insurance policies will even cover additional trip expenses.

For pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes or high risk sports participation such as scuba diving, sky diving, mountain climbing or parasailing you can purchase a separate policy. You may need a separate policy for travel to high risk countries due to their war status, terrorism acts or even natural disasters.

Your basic policy will have certain items excluded for coverage that may require a separate policy. Travel to countries with war and terrorism threats, pre existing medical conditions or any injury or illness created by alcohol or drug use is normally excluded from a typical insurance policy. The majority of companies will allow you to buy a separate policy for travel to countries with war and terrorism threats.

During the first trimester of pregnancy most insurance policies will cover the related expenses. Depending on the company the policy and their guidelines it can vary between trimesters as to what is covered and what is not.

Travel insurance can be very helpful with services that are operating 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Emergency travel assistance and concierge service are the two most used services for travel insurance policy holders. You can expect to pay about 5-7% of the total trip cost for the travel insurance policy.

Susan Reynolds is the content coordinator for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Travel Insurance Options.