When we plan a holiday trip, the words that are used most often are fun, relaxation, entertainment, excitement, etc. We hardly ever hear words like accident, illness, etc. Many people ignore buying travel insurance before going-off on their vacation.
The fact is that although you may not need it, it is still important to have proper coverage while you are traveling especially since life can be so unpredictable.
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Tips to get the best insurance while traveling from India to USA
Travel insurance plans provide coverage for hospitalization in case you fall ill during your visit to the US. Medical costs are extremely high in the US, especially for visitors.
Travel insurance also provides coverage in case of lost passport or baggage, cancellation or delay of trips and other personal liabilities. Legal support is also paid for in case of a financial emergency.
1. Understand your requirements:
The first step before buying travel insurance is considering and understanding all your requirements so that you get the best plan.
2. Consider the sum insured:
Medical coverage is the primary feature of travel insurance which is why it is important for you to decide on the sum insured based on how costly medical services are in the country that you are traveling to.
3. Duration of your stay:
The longer you stay, the higher the premium will be. So consider the duration of your stay before buying an insurance policy for traveling.
4. Multi-trip policies:
If you are regular traveler, it is wise to opt for multi-trip policies. This will help you save costs and also eliminates the need to buy policies time and again.
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5. Consider your activities:
If you are planning on participating in adventure sports like trekking, water sports, skiing, etc. you may need extra coverage that standard travel insurance does not include in its plans. To get coverage for these activities, you will need to request the insurer to provide it to you. You will no doubt have to pay extra for this.
6. Add-ons:
Many insurers offer add-ons such as fire and burglary insurance to protect your home while you are in the US or anywhere else. Missed connection covers for travelers who move from city to city are also provided.
7. Compare plans:
When it comes to buying insurance, comparing plans is vital. You should always make sure that you do not buy insurance based only on the premium and sum insured. Compare different companies and the services that they provide to find the best one.
8. Read documents thoroughly:
Before you sign any document, always thoroughly go through it and get all the helpline numbers of your insurer and if there is a third-party administrator, get their numbers as well.
9. Research coverage provided:
You need to remember that the coverage that a policy provides is just as important as those that it does not. Go through the claim procedures and terms carefully before picking a policy.
10. Be patient:
No matter how big a company is, it will delay for as long as possible when it comes to payments. Therefore, you will need to prepare yourself to wait to receive your entitled money.
11. Keep all documents ready:
If you have not received your money and want to do so as soon as possible, make sure that you keep all your receipts, forms and documents ready. This will ensure that your claim is processed faster.
12. Difference between travel and health insurance:
Many people make the mistake of buying travel insurance thinking that it will provide medical coverage too. Travel insurance is to protect you when you are abroad in case of any mishaps.
13. Compare companies:
With so many insurance companies today, it can be a pain to try finding the best one. You can conduct an online research and find the best ones that receive good reviews. Pick the one you think would be most ideal for you from the shortlisted companies.
14. Third-party insurer:
It is smarter to buy travel insurance from a third-party insurer. This will help in case the insurer goes bankrupt. If this occurs, you will still get all the full benefits so you do not lose anything.
15. Ask questions:
Most of the time, an insurance agent will do a lot of talking throwing in jargon that you may not fully understand. Make sure that you ask questions if you have any doubts or are unclear about certain terms, conditions, etc. so that you do waste time and money buying a policy that does not give you the coverage that you need.
16. Consider floaters:
If you are traveling with valuables such as jewelry or expensive electronic equipment, you should consider purchasing floaters for a renter’s plan that already exists.
17. Flight insurance:
Many insurers will try to convince you to add flight insurance as part of the travel insurance that you are buying. This is a policy that provides you coverage in case the aircraft you are traveling in crashes. However, this is a rare occurrence so it is not necessary to spend extra money on it.
18. Cost of insurance:
Remember that the expensive plans are not always the best ones. Insurance companies are a business and their aim to make profit. They will show you the pricier policies but they do not always provide you the coverage you require. So look at travel insurance policies of all ranges.
19. Senior citizen plans:
If you are a senior citizen who needs travel insurance, choose policies that have special features including higher sum insured, coverage for accidental death or dismemberment and coverage for pre-existing illnesses.
20. Online insurance:
Many people are opting to buy insurance online as they can easily and conveniently compare companies , rates, etc. all the same time. This is a great as you can avail great offers and discounts as well.
Now that you know what to remember while buying travel insurance, you can have a worry-free trip to the US and have a great time knowing that you have all the coverage and financial protection that you need.
