Top 6 Benefits and Tips while choosing travel insurance
Here’s what you need to know to get started when shopping for travel insurance:
Traveling abroad can be a wonderful experience, full of adventure and new discoveries! But in the excitement and anticipation of what’s to come, we often forget to factor in the plausibility of unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances arising, and that’s when a dream vacation turns into a nightmare.
Don’t worry; there is a solution designed specifically for such situations! Presenting, travel insurance! This simple documentation can help eliminate a tremendous amount of travel anxiety and can be extremely useful in dire situations.
We, at BLS International, are here to help you understand just how important travel insurance is! Travel insurance is not just to calm your nerves; it’s also a prerequisite, as most policies offer a plethora of benefits that protect your time, money, and health while traveling in a foreign land. These include:
Benefits of Travel Insurance
1. Manage Unpredictable Costly Medical Emergencies That Might Occur While Travelling
Travel insurance can provide medical coverage in the event of illness or injury while traveling. Medical emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere, and they can be costly, especially if you are traveling abroad. For instance, a 34-year-old man from Texas, the United States, fell ill during his honeymoon in Fiji. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and had to be airlifted to a hospital in Australia for treatment. The total medical expenses, including the airlift and hospital bills, amounted to $150,000. Fortunately, the couple had purchased travel insurance, which covered the entire cost.
2. You Won’t Have to Pay the Full Cost of the Trip If You Decide to Cancel
Apart from medical coverage, travel insurance can also provide coverage for trip cancellations, delays, and interruptions. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, many travelers had to cancel their trips, and some were stranded in foreign countries. However, those who had purchased travel insurance were able to recoup their expenses or receive assistance in returning home. For example, a couple from Singapore who had planned a trip to Italy in April 2020 had to cancel their trip. They had purchased travel insurance, which covered the cost of their flights, hotels, and tours.
3. Receiving Assistance in the Case of Loss of Luggage or Personal Belongings
Having travel insurance can soften the blow of losing one’s precious luggage. It can provide coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal belongings. For instance, a 25-year-old woman from Delhi, India, was on a solo trip to South Africa when her luggage was lost by the airline. She had packed all her valuables, including her passport, camera, and laptop, in the luggage. Fortunately, she had purchased travel insurance, which covered the cost of replacing her luggage and personal belongings.
4. Average Cost of Travel Insurance
The cost of travel insurance varies depending on various factors, such as the length of the trip, the destination, the age of the traveler, and the type of coverage required. On average, travel insurance costs around 4% to 8% of the total cost of the trip. For example, if the total cost of a trip is $5,000, the cost of travel insurance would be around $200 to $400. However, the cost may vary significantly depending on the factors mentioned before.
5. Time of Processing for Travel Insurance
The time required for processing travel insurance varies depending on the insurance provider and the type of coverage required. Generally, travel insurance can be processed within a few hours to a few days.
However, it is recommended to apply for travel insurance at least two to four weeks before the trip to ensure sufficient time for processing and approval. Applying for travel insurance well in advance also provides ample time to review the policy and make any necessary changes.
6. When to Apply for Travel Insurance
Travel insurance should be applied for as soon as the trip is planned, to ensure adequate coverage in case of unforeseen events. It is essential to apply for travel insurance before purchasing any tickets or booking any accommodations, as some policies may require specific booking dates.
It is also recommended to review the policy carefully before purchasing it to ensure that it provides adequate coverage for the traveler’s specific needs. Factors to consider when choosing travel insurance include the type of coverage required, the length of the trip, the destination, and the activities planned during the trip.
Tips to Remember While Applying for Travel Insurance
Let’s have a look at a few steps that can help you ensure a safe and stress-free trip:
- Evaluate different travel insurance policies.
- Confirm the inclusions and exclusions of the travel insurance.
- Decide which travel insurance policy is best for you.
- Finally, buy the insurance through the company’s website or have a look at the list of companies at
Most people consider travel insurance to be an unnecessary expense, and many travelers have asked themselves the same question: why acquire travel insurance? To begin, travel insurance, like immunizations, is one of the many things that you must have while traveling. Aside from being a legal necessity, travel insurance protects you against a variety of emergencies, as previously stated. For all of these reasons, travel insurance is unquestionably necessary and a very wise investment to make before flying.
To learn more about efficient and secure visa and consular services, visit us at www.blsinternational.com