Sunday, November 25, 2012

Make a Smart Purchase: Get Travel Insurance Online

Be it a business trip or a family holiday, people have now started undermining domestic boundaries quite frequently for a variety of reasons. Nowadays, with the increasing globalisation and modernisation, people usually tend to travel across domestic boundaries quite often. Such frequency in travel can be well attributed to the easy availability of Travel Insurance in India. The benefits of a travel insurance policy are not limited to any particular national boundary. In fact, it offers you a great amount of financial coverage all across the globe.

It is to your discretion to buy travel insurance from anywhere among a number of sources but it is to your advantage to buy it through an online medium. Buying an online travel insurance not only saves you time but a great deal of money as well. The hassles of carrying out and maintaining the paperwork of the whole policy is no longer there if you make an online purchase. A basic advantage of such a process is also that you can yourself compare different quotes provided by different providers and decide upon choosing the best policy which meets your requirements.

A number of websites are available which provide quick online registration for travel insurance, offered by several service providers on a common platform. Such specialized websites facilitate easy comparison among the online updated quotes with a purpose of enabling their users to make a smarter purchase. Moreover, you do not have to worry about any aspect while registering online with any insurance company. With round the clock access, you can anytime make changes in your policy and always look for new developments in insurance policies.

Finally, in case you have to make an emergency trip for any purpose, then buying travel insurance online is the fastest possible manner. Doing this, you will not have to phone around or even visit a number of insurance companies offices for getting quotes. After you have selected a policy online, you may also opt to pay for it there and then. Easy payment methods such as debit/credit cards and even EMI system can be availed while buying it online. One should always first determine his primary requirements within a policy and then facilitate a detailed comparison among several plans before making a purchase decision. The best part of buying it online is that you are free to choose from a variety of options and you will ultimately be under no pressure. So, buy it when you are ready.

Who Needs Kidnapping Insurance Policies?

Kidnapping is a major issue in different parts of the world. If you live in the United States and are reading this, you may be thinking "Yeah right." But it's true. In Mexico alone there were 700 kidnappings in 2011. If you are a frequent traveler, you should be aware of the risks. Life is very important and should never be taken for granted. In dangerous countries, dangerous things can happen and you need to take each and every step in your life which can keep you safe when you are out while you are out of your country. This is not to say that the policy alone will keep you safe, but it will provide an easy way out of any kidnapping situation by providing any ransom money and even security teams to make sure your release is safe and you and your family are unharmed. There are many people in different parts of the world who are unsafe because they have not acquired kidnapping insurance policies. If the produce exists, why would anyone travel to a high risk country without it? If you are thinking that it can't happen to you, what if it does? You are at a higher level of risk of kidnapping if you are outside of your country, and if you don't have the proper kidnapping insurance policies in place, then your risk is compounded because there becomes no easy way out of the kidnapper's hands.

So you are traveling to another country and have decided it's in your best interested to get a policy, so how do you buy one? This is a niche insurance product and you can't go down to your local Allstate or State ranch office and get it, but providers do exist that carry this so you do have some choices. The selection of kidnapping insurance policies should be done with great care because all of the providers are not going to provide same sort of policies. Some take time to activate, some only cover certain countries, and others will require a waiting period before any monies can be released to kidnappers. You need to be very selective in this regard so that you won't find yourself in hot water later on. The first aspect you should concentrate on is the payout. You want a policy to provide ransom money that you can easily request should the need arise. There should also be emergency phone numbers and a clear line of contact to the insurance provider if necessary. Therefore, the selection of ransom insurance should be done with greater care then if you were looking for car insurance or homeowners insurance which are created on a very "cookie cutter" model of policy similarity. There are not many organizations which are providing this line of insurance. They are rare, specialized, and you should read all of the fine print before purchase and know your risks and benefits.

Business travelers are perfect candidates for K&R insurance, but how about student travelers? They often engage in study abroad programs where they are seen as easy victims to unscrupulous people. You need to accept the importance of these policies if you are a traveler or even a student who is living abroad and you should never forget kidnapping insurance policies. This is true even if you are travelling / studying in countries that are low risk like Germany or Sweden. Bad people are everywhere and random acts of violence cannot be controlled, but you can control how bad the event becomes. To make sure things don't escalate, a ransom insurance provider will provide immediate response to your family in case you are kidnapped while studying abroad and your family must be available and open to discuss the necessary details which will be helpful to a speedy resolution. Similarly, these providers will usually have ease of access to money, though there may be provisions where the policy may only pay the full amount if the persons are released (i.e. half now, half upon release). Again, you need to know your policy because any stipulations create complications for you.

If you are a student, business person, or world traveler; you should do your research and look for a ransom insurance policy provider who can assist you if necessary. Again, make sure you have a breakdown of all policy stipulations in front of you and are able to really compare apples to apples. There are many countries in different parts of the world which are considered to be very dangerous and you may not be 100 percent safe when traveling there. Any traveler should seek ransom insurance which can be beneficial in any type of ransom situation and a policy where any legal red tape may put you or your loved ones at risk. The selection of a good insurance policy can be easily done with better analysis and depth of research.

Backpacker Insurance for Gap Year Hazards

Backpacker insurance for gap year hazards should never be ignored. A gap year adventure should be the most exciting trip that any young person will experience in their lifetime. That first taste of freedom and adventure, where you inevitably hook up with like-minded travellers and make memories and lifetime friends. In all the excitement and anticipation of the trip it is natural to want to ignore the potential hazards - and with a heap of good luck nothing will go wrong. After all, you have spent many months planning the trip and doing your research...

Many gap year travellers choose popular long-haul destinations such as Thailand, Vietnam, Africa and Australia - all a long way from home. Needless to say, setting off on such a fantastic adventure would be crazy without the peace of mind of a quality Backpacker travel insurance policy tucked in your rucksack

The importance of researching your destination(s) cannot be emphasised strongly enough. With any luck you will not run into any hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, typhoons or tropical diseases along the way, but with some preparation and knowledge you can be ready to face anything thrown at you.

We always recommend that travellers visit the website of the British Foreign Office for the latest travel advice, and this service is offered for free by most governments. Staying safe and personal security on your travels is always a concern. You'll need to be aware of the current political situation and potential hazards you could encounter - and, most important, what to do and where to go for help if anything does go wrong.

Personal safety and security is of prime concern, as most countries have problems with pick-pocketing, mugging, drink spiking, and various scams.

Being caught in possession of any illegal drugs or substances can, in some countries, result in very serious charges, imprisonment, and even the death penalty!Read up on the local laws and customs of the country you are visiting and respect their rules and dress codes to avoid trouble. Again, it is important to know that travel insurance is unlikely to cover any claims related to your use or possession of illegal substances or abuse of alcohol.

A cheap backpacker policy automatically covers a range of sporting activities that are considered hazardous. Always check the policy to see what is and is not covered before you set off on your trip. One-off activities like a bungee jump or elephant ride are normally covered.

Most important is to have excellent cover for Medical Expenses - and always check that it includes Repatriation. Falling ill or sustaining an accidental injury while halfway around the world in a remote area could cost many thousands of pounds. You may need to be flown to a neighbouring country for specialised treatment - all very expensive. Without insurance you, or your family will have to foot the bill. Your consulate or embassy is on hand to provide limited help, but they do not pay your bills, and ignorance is no excuse...

One of the biggest problems travellers face is the loss or theft of their passports. This is something normally covered by your travel insurance. The nearest consulate or embassy will help you to obtain a new travel document, but it is not free!

A cheap backpacker policy should also provide cover for things like Mugging, Missed Departure, Scheduled Airline Failure, Hijack, Personal Liability and Legal Expenses. Most Backpacker policies are cheaper because they are 'light' on cover for luggage and possessions. There's no point paying for cover that you do not need.

If you are busy planning your gap year adventure and are under the impression that insurance is unnecessary, or you have not factored the cost into your budget, why not discuss it with your parents or family members. Rather than set off uninsured, ask if they will purchase a policy for you as a farewell gift. They should be motivated to help, because allowing you to travel uninsured may bring them a world of trouble if the worst should happen and you run into hazards while you are on the other side of the world.

The news is full of tragedies of this type all the time - where families suffer hardship and often have to organise fundraisers to find the tens of thousands of pounds needed to fly their loved ones home. The cost of a Backpacker policy is such a small price to pay for peace of mind for you and your family.

The 4 Most Misunderstood Travel Insurance Coverages

A lot of people don't bother to protect their travel investment with good travel insurance. This is a bad mistake. But there is as even worse mistake people often make. They don't take the time to understand what and how travel insurance protects them once they buy it. In particular there are four specific travel insurance coverages that people don't understand and end up getting big surprises if they need to file a claim. Or worse yet, their travel plans are derailed because they don't have what they need.

Here are 4 of the most misunderstood travel insurance coverages and what you need to know about them.

Trip Cancellation Coverage

When you ask people why they buy travel insurance, trip cancellation protection is the number one reason. Yet most people when they are asked what that covers they don't really understand it. People think that if something comes up and you need to cancel your trip you will be reimbursed - maybe and maybe not. It depends on what kind of trip cancellation insurance you have.

If you get sick and can't go, you'll probably be covered. If you decide that something has come up and you need to reschedule a trip you won't be unless you have purchased "cancel for any reason" insurance. People think if you have any trip cancellation insurance you'll be covered- not so. Make sure you read the specific coverages and if you want to be able to "cancel for any reason" make sure that option is included or buy an upgrade.

Medical Evacuation coverage

Everyone hopes this coverage is never needed but if it is you want to make sure you understand what it does and that you have the coverage you need. Basically this insurance covers the expense of evacuating you to the closest medical facility that can properly treat your injury or illness. If you're traveling on a Visa this coverage will almost certainly be required. Make sure you have it when you apply for your Visa or your trip might have to be canceled or delayed when the paper work doesn't show up in time.

There are many other situations that can arise and you want to make sure you have what you need. All policies are different and you may need to find a specific plan to get the required coverage. Consider what would happen if you're traveling with small children and you get sick and have to be evacuated. Some policies will make sure the children get home others don't. If you're traveling alone will you want to have someone be able to visit you from back home? Will you want to make the decision on what hospital or other medical facility you're taken to?

Think about your own specific circumstances and understand what a travel policy covers before you buy. Don't be unpleasantly surprised when it's too late to do anything about it.

Medical Travel Coverage

If you a senior traveling make sure you have adequate health coverage. Remember Medicare and Medicaid insurance provides no coverage outside of the United States except in extremely limited situations. Plus, several of the standard Medigap policies don't provide coverage or only limited coverage. Make sure you know what you have.

Adventure Activity Coverage

If you're planning activities that might be considered hazardous or risky make sure you have purchased an adventure activity rider for your policy. If you're into skiing, diving, hang gliding, or plan to do any rock climbing, you'll want to make sure you have special coverage for these dangerous activities. If you'll be taking along any sporting equipment make sure all those are covered.

Some insurers offer special coverage for golfers that will cover the cost of any pre-paid green fees if weather forces a cancellation of your round.

Just make sure whatever you plan to do you have proper coverage. Don't come up short because you thought you were covered only to find out you weren't. Understand what your travel insurance plan covers and what extra coverages you might need.

Travel Insurance For Backpackers And Hikers

If you have a tour in your mind and you want to travel the free way, a good backpacker travel insurance policy is a thing you must consider before tour. Backpacking trips are bit riskier than regular planned travels. So in such case good backpacker travel insurance becomes a mandatory criterion for a hassle free tour.

Most of the insurers don't know all the benefits of insurance as they are unaware but these insurance policies help a traveler in many ways.

A Backpacker insurance policy is basically for those who are low on budget. You don't have to pay high for regular insurance policy but you will surely get the essential coverage with backpackers travel insurance policy. It covers you and your luggage at very less cost, as this type of insurance is designed for backpackers who are known for their low budgeted and unplanned travel schedules.

Before going through you must know backpacker insurance policy and its features.

Features provided by backpacker travel insurance

There are some important features and coverage that backpacker travel insurance policy can provide, these are as follows;

In case if you have to extend you trip due to any unexpected reason, backpacker insurance covers it too. You get all covers round the clock all the year no matter what time or circumstances are there. If you get sick during you trip, all the medical expenses will be covered by backpacker insurance providers. Most of the time such insurance policies also covers personal incidents that occur during travel (please confirm this before buying insurance policy from you insurance provider). Many travel insurance firms provide option to opt out which they don't want to be covered and ask for the things which they want to be covered. This flexibility is an added advantage for insurers. Many travel insurance firms provide the option to the insurer that what they really want to be covered in their policy. This flexibility is an added advantage for insurers. Many backpacker tours for winter sports, some travel for scuba diving. Such adventurous sports have high risks involved which can lead you to physical damages. Covers for such sports are also available as an optional measure. You can add such sports covers in your existing insurance for added safety. You can extend you insurance any time with a single click sitting at your home in front of your computer. Make sure that insurance policy covers the location in which you are planning to travel. Some travel insurance companies provide insurance policies only for a certain country.

Now the biggest which every travelers generally asks is "Do I really need a backpacker insurance policy? And is it really worth it? "

Backpacker travel insurance is surely recommended for you if you fell into any of these categories

You travel alone at places which are expected. Your travel schedule is unexpected and never planned. You have medical history or you are above 50 years of age.

Backpacking is surely an adventurous trip but it has its own risks too. Backpackers are very prone to injuries, robbery and related issues. There are some possible issues in which backpackers can easily get coverage. These are as follows:

Tour cancellation - Trips are cancelled many times due to many issues. Sometimes due to bad weather and sometimes due to some personal reason, one has to cancel his/her trip.

Emergency medical care - backpackers are very much prone to issue like food poisoning, diarrhea and other infections. Such diseases can lead to serious health issues which can be covered by purchasing insurance.

Accidents - accidents are common and can be occur at any time. Insurance not only covers for your injury but also the person affected by your mistake.

Theft or robbery - backpacker usually travel alone. They also stay at budget hotels. All this makes them prone to things like baggage theft and robbery.

Considering the current global scenario which is quite unsafe, having proper backpacker travel insurance is very necessary.

A backpacker insurance policy can be a great help for every traveler who wants to travel the free way. So what are you waiting for? Get a backpacker travel insurance for yourself and roam free

Travel Insurance: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

People want to be safe when they travel. But no matter how many precautions and preparations you make, there's always a chance that something unfortunate will happen. The best thing to do is to be prepared in the event that something does happen. Travel insurance can be very important to some people. It's a safety net for when you need it most; when you're in a strange place and you have a lot of money invested in your vacation. Following are answers to frequently asked questions on the subject.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is exactly what it sounds like, it's an insurance policy designed to protect you while you are traveling abroad.

What do these insurance policies cover?

There are different types of travel insurance. You can select policies that match your needs. Some policies pertain specifically to medical expenses. The cover things such as doctor's consulations and emergency medical care. Other policies protect you in case of an accident with a rental care, flight cancelation or lost luggage.

It may be possible for you to get medical coverage for an already existing medical condition. However, the more financial-related policies will not cover foreseeable losses; for example, your flight was canceled because of a strike but the strike had already begun before you purchased your policy. Also, be aware that some plans will cover certain types of travel expenses but not cover others. Make sure you understand everything that is and is not covered.

Is it necessary?

It depends on the individual whether or not travel insurance is necessary. Those who travel with a lot of money or valuable cargo have more incentive to buy policies that cover these losses. If you travel light enough that any losses you encounter would be minimal, then this type of coverage may not be for you.

Those who travel often are more likely to run into trouble as opposed to those who only travel once a year; this is simply due to the rule of odds. Therefore, those who travel frequently should consider travel insurance more carefully than those who don't.

Medical expenses abroad are sometimes covered by your existing medical plan. Be sure to go over your current health insurance carefully. There's no point to buying travel insurance for medical needs if your existing policy already covers it. Read the fine print, though. Some policies will cover some things but not others, such as coverage for prescription drugs but not emergency medical transportation. If your plan doesn't cover medical expenses abroad, you may want to consider travel insurance plans that do cover it.

How do I get Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance has been made easy to purchase online. All you need is search for "travel insurance" and find company websites. You will need to supply some personal information, and the details of your trip.

How much does it cost?

The price will vary greatly based on which company you go through, how much you want covered, how luxurious your trip expenses will be and whether or not you are traveling overseas. It is important to shop around and compare before making any purchase.

Can my plan cover more than one person?

Yes, it is possible to get plans that cover a group of travelers all under one policy. This is great if you are traveling with family, especially children.

There are a wide variety of plans and policies available. Your current medical insurance and, possibly, insurance provided through your credit card purchases may cover you. It is important that you evaluate any coverage you might have and obtain the necessary travel insurance to guarantee that any unforeseen medical expenses are covered.


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