Everything You Need To Know About Travel Insurance

To be completely honest, travel insurance is the bane of my existence. Paying the price of Jesus' tears "in case" something happens to you can feel like throwing money into the wind. 

But, as I purchased insurance for my year-long trip this year and complained about the hefty price for hours on end, my mum reminded me that it's a safety blanket. Because if that "in case" actually happens... well you're up sh*t creek without a paddle aren't ya? 

Whether your luggage gets nicked, you break your arm or catch the big C, travel insurance will be there for you in an array of sticky situations.

Here's your guide to travel insurance. ✈️

Information travel insurance will need from you

What's your destination? 📍

Easy q with an easier a. If you're just going to Japan, cover for just Japan. If you're going around a continent with no locked-in plans yet, like Europe, get covered for Europe rather than listing all the individual countries. 

If you're stopping over in a country for less than 48 hours, you don't need to be insured. 

How long for? 📅

What's your start and end date? The start date is when you leave home, not when you land at your destination. Your end date is when you land back home. Dw, you can always extend your travel insurance if need be!

What are you doing when you get there? 🏂

Don't get stitched up by doing an extreme sport and not being covered! This depends on the policy and provider, but most activities covered by insurance include:

• bike riding
• swimming
• trekking
• kayaking
• surfing... etc

Activities that are sometimes covered, or have to be added on for an extra expense include:

• skiing/snowboarding
• abseiling
• rock climbing
• sailing
• bungee jumping
• scuba diving

What are you packing? 🧳

If you're taking your surfboard, DSLR camera, laptop or even some exxy jewellry, make sure your policy covers high-value items. You can increase the amount you are covered for by paying an additional premium.

For example, I brought my laptop overseas for a year and paid $60 additional premium on it.

Do you have any medical conditions? 🤕

You have to be honest about any previous illness, injuries, or allergies. Depending on the condition, you may have to fill out a medical declaration signed by a doctor. This will then be sussed out by the travel insurance company before you buy your policy. 

How do I find the best policy for me?

What level of cover do you need? 🌴

Most insurers will have three levels of cover:

Basic -- This is the lowest tier of insurance offered by travel insurers. If you only wanna get covered for a few things (e.g. medical cover only), basic travel insurance cover may be what you’re looking for.

Mid-range -- This would cover a few more things than basic policies such as lost luggage and theft.

Comprehensive -- This is the GOAT of travel insurance and is most commonly purchased. It includes more cover than any basic or mid-range policy, such as rental car excess or cover for lost or damaged items. 

These three levels of cover will look different for every travel insurance provider. Personally, I normally go for mid-range to comprehensive policies. For my trip this year, I chose comprehensive just because it covered more coronavirus-related incidents. 

Suss out a reputable brand 👍

Ask your friends and family for what travel insurance they've used in the past. Read past customer reviews of every travel insurance provider. If reviews are all pointing to the same issue such as "it took months to get a hold of them", then it might be a good idea to cross them from your list.

Compare travel insurance providers 🥴

Travel insurance isn't cheap! Just like you shopped around for the best flights (money, time, and airline wise), you should do the same with travel insurance. A comparison website is an easy way to digest all the info in one place. I made a pros and cons list as well. 

For example, I was going to the Middle East and some insurance providers wouldn't cover that. Others don't cover trips over six months or COVID-19 in general. You know what you're looking for in terms of destination, time, activities, and general anxieties (maybe you're TERRIFIED to lose your camera or have an injury).

Hot tip -- Buy early: It's a good rule of thumb to book your travel insurance right after you've booked your flights/accom/tours...etc. If your trip is canceled or delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, you'll be covered for any pre-paid expenses!

Last but not least, how would I make a claim? 

1. Familiarise yourself with your policy. Know exactly what's covered and what isn't. Know that you weren't covered for motorbike riding around South East Asia or a country with a travel warning, for example.

2. Get written proof. Flight delays, cancellations, hospital stays. Have proof to back up your claim.

3. Keep more evidence. Receipts, bank statements, photos, photocopies or serial numbers to prove ownership of your belongings...

4. Report incidents ASAP rocky. Any loss, theft or damage needs to be told to your insurer, the local police, transport provider or the relevant authority within 24 hours!

5. Be honest. We said previously that you have to disclose any pre-existing conditions. If you lie about your medical history and then become ill overseas, your insurer may deny your claim. Honesty is the best policy. 

6. Who you gonna call? All insurers have numbers to call in an emergency. It's a good idea to keep this number on you, along with your policy deets.