Travel Insurance

7 tips for choosing your travel insurance

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2022

Sunny Wars

Everything you want you need to take into account when signing the contract that will save you from suffocation

1. Know the type of trip you will be taking

To choose the ideal package for your profile, it is important to take into account your age, the reason for the tour,
Traditional insurance does not usually cover accidents caused by extreme sports – in this case, you need to look for one focused on this type of trip. Many brokers and travel agencies offer products aimed at executives on corporate trips, exchange students and “backpackers”, meeting the specific needs of each public.

2, Check the regulations of the country you will visit

Tourists traveling today to most European countries need, by law, to be insured for a minimum of 30,000 euros for medical occurrences. The insurance certificate can be requested by customs upon arrival at the local airport.

Despite not being so common, it is possible that immigration sectors of some nations involve tourists without insurance, since accidents would generate public cost to the State.

3. Prioritize medical care

Complications related to health and well-being can trigger millions of expenses for the uninsured international traveller. Therefore, experts in the field highlight medical assistance as a crucial item in travel insurance.

Some of the most desirable costs in this area are exams, medical and dental consultations, surgeries, hospital accommodation, pharmaceutical items, medical removal (rescue and transport of the victim from the place where the accident occurred), personal accidents (which cause disability), travel return (rebooking airline tickets for medical reasons) and medical repatriation (returning to the country of origin accompanied by professionals) and funeral home.

A good rule of thumb to follow is: the more remote the location you visit, the higher the health care coverage threshold should be. This is because, in the event of an accident, help will be longer and less accessible. The same goes for maritime travel sections. This detail is especially important if you are accompanied by the elderly or children.

Most insurances do not cover pre-existing illnesses, that is, those already possessed before leaving your country. So if you know you have a chronic illness, it’s worth adding these features to your insurance. In the case of pregnant women, it is necessary to contract specific insurance for this profile.

4. Understand which risks are covered in the contract

Coverage for theft of luggage and electronic devices is common in traditional insurance, but not all. So read the contract carefully before signing and study more than one insurance option before deciding which one will best meet your requirements.

If you want to make your package more robust, turn to add-ons. The offers today are extensive: they range from payment, home insurance and assistance with legal processes associated with the trip to concierge service – a professional who makes restaurant reservations, car rentals, ticket purchases, etc.

5. Buy group packages

Are you traveling as a family or with a large group of friends? It may be worth taking out insurance together: coverage is individual, but the price is discounted.

6. Discover the international service

Before boarding, check how to use your insurance during the trip. In most companies, it is enough to take the certificate, scanned or in hard copy, of your contract and the telephone number of the customer service in your suitcase. The client is instructed to call this contact directly as soon as a complication arises, through which he will be advised of the procedure to be performed and will know useful information, such as where the nearest hospital is. If you don’t speak English, find out if the insurance company’s international network has agents fluent in Portuguese.

7. Find out about the cancellation process

The cancellation of travel insurance does not always imply the reimbursement of its value, in part or in full, to the contracting party. This policy varies from company to company. Confirm it with your consultant and ask for the maximum period to cancel the contract at no additional cost.

Travel Insurance

The importance of travel insurance: ensuring smooth travel

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2022

Sunny Wars

Whatever the reasons for your trip, having travel insurance is very important.

Do you plan to visit relatives who live in another country? Or are you traveling to practice some sport? So, in addition to having your bags packed, tickets purchased, hotels booked and itineraries designed, don’t leave home without travel insurance.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is the only way to travel safely and peacefully , as it is a tool that protects travelers from unforeseen events or accidents, and if they do occur, it helps to deal with them in the best possible way, seeking to avoid or minimize losses.

Regardless of the length of stay, the passenger’s profile, the reason for the trip or the duration, having health insurance offers peace of mind from the moment of boarding until the traveler’s return to the country of origin.

Travel insurance gives you peace of mind

What are travel insurance coverages?

Travel insurance coverage may vary according to the product chosen, or the profile or requirement of the traveler, such as travel to certain countries or travelers who are elderly or have preexisting illnesses .

In general terms, travel insurance has a wide coverage , including medical, hospital and dental expenses, both urgent and emergency, consultations with specialists, transfer of an accompanying family member, medical repatriation or repatriation of mortal remains.

In addition, travel insurance also includes services for locating or replacing lost luggage , rebooking the round trip ticket in the event of medical or climatic unforeseen circumstances, legal assistance and advance payment of bail.

In which countries is it mandatory to have travel insurance?

Although having health coverage is important to feel safe and protected whatever the destination of your trip, in order to enter some European countries having travel insurance is mandatory.

The countries where the purchase of travel insurance is a mandatory requirement are those within the Schengen Treaty. They are: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Netherlands, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland. It is also mandatory to have travel insurance for Ecuador and Venezuela.

How to choose the right travel assistance plan to travel with peace of mind?

Adequate travel insurance is always one that takes into account the requirements of each case . In addition to the duration and destination of the trip, other factors must be considered when hiring coverage. People with pre-existing conditions, pregnant women or the elderly require special care.

The type of trip also influences the choice of the appropriate travel assistance plan. For example, when transporting technological or sports equipment, a special cover for teams will ensure their safety.

Benefits of having travel insurance

Unforeseen events happen, even when you are on vacation! No one is safe from getting sick or having an accident while traveling, so having travel insurance is important to be protected.

Having travel insurance will help you avoid unplanned expenses , such as medical or pharmaceutical expenses, which are usually quite high in some countries, such as the United States, for example. It will also be essential to guarantee entry into countries where taking out coverage is mandatory.

Another benefit of having travel insurance is that you will be protected in several situations, such as cancellation or rescheduling of the trip due to medical or climatic reasons, loss of luggage or documents, in addition to having legal and funeral assistance.

Benefits of having travel insurance

What to do if you are away from home and need to use your travel insurance?

If you are abroad and get sick, have an accident or an unforeseen event, contact the insurance company’s Call Center , where you can count on the help of trained staff to act quickly and efficiently. Do not forget to carry the insurance company’s telephone number with you at all times.

They will ask you for your personal data, policy number, travel date and the city and country where you are, in order to be able to tell you how to act in each situation.

Keep all proof of attendance, as well as the expenses paid to later request reimbursement and make copies of all documents, including the policy.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for exchanges: clear your doubts!

Published

2 years ago

September 10, 2022

Sunny Wars

International travel insurance is a service offered by brokers that aim to provide the person with a peaceful and protected trip. The idea is to provide compensation (reimbursement) for numerous situations.

In the case of exchanges, which are longer trips, the tourist is exposed to prolonged risks. These situations can trigger a series of inconveniences and problems, but this is minimized when you have a policy like the one mentioned.

Remember that the type of coverage, term and claims that will be covered are described in the contract. Hence the need to read carefully and look for an insurance that meets your main needs.

Which claims must be covered by exchange insurance?

As mentioned, there are numerous insurance companies in the country and different types of insurance for exchange trips. However, some claims and situations are basic and are present in most contracts.

By the way, it is interesting to point out that an international trip for an exchange is quite different from a vacation trip . As it is intended for study, the stay is prolonged and, for this reason, the insurance contracted must be adequate to this reality.

Given this, some essential coverage for a tourist does not make much sense for an exchange student. Below are the claims that cannot be excluded from your contract:

Loss of Baggage

This is a situation that, unfortunately, can affect any traveller. But, have you ever thought how bad it would be for an exchange student to have their bags lost?

Being without your clothes, study instruments and accessories is a very big inconvenience. In these cases, exchange travel insurance is a good option. In addition to covering expenses in cases of loss, theft or theft of bags, the insurance company helps you locate them.

legal advice

This is a very interesting type of coverage for exchange students, especially given the long period of stay in another country. After all, the chances of being involved in traffic accidents with a rental car or even breaking some local law are higher.

In summary: when provided for in the contract, the insured receives reimbursement of expenses with lawyers and court fees. These expenses, which may be high, are partially or fully (depending on what is described in the contract) returned.

Medical assistance for accident, illness or pregnancy

This is another very important coverage for those traveling to do an exchange. Such situations are common to happen, and being protected in these moments makes all the difference to your recovery.

If you have an accident, that is, you have a disease, the center will be ready to assist you and organize quality medical care. In the case of women, pregnancy coverage is extremely important, as it allows for a peaceful and healthy pregnancy.

Transfers in case of emergency

Have you ever thought about needing to go to the nearest hospital or clinic, but not being able to do so? With international travel insurance, this situation will not happen.

The best insurance companies in the country offer this emergency service to their policyholders, helping them in these desperate moments to get to the most appropriate place for medical care.

Is travel insurance really important?

In view of what has been presented, it is important to highlight the importance of planning your exchange trip and looking for good international travel insurance.

In short, the experience of being in a distant country, with different culture, language and laws, is quite enriching. However, it should not be ignored that this is also a risky situation.

Several problems are likely to arise. Solving them and bearing all these expenses without any help is not so simple. Remembering that, abroad, the costs of medical expenses are high and can compromise your stay there.

More than that, it is necessary to make it clear that some countries do not even allow students to enter for exchanges without having travel insurance. As an example, we can cite the following:

Germany;
Denmark;
Spain;
France;
England;
Italy;
Portugal.

How to buy good travel insurance for exchanges?

If you are preparing to undertake an international exchange trip and are interested in travel insurance, it is important to carefully research and study the possibilities that exist in the market.

It is essential that you review the contract and see if basic coverage is included. After all, no one wants to go through the hassle of taking out insurance and finding out later that it didn’t cover what you believed.

In addition, it is important to research the reputation of the insurer and the chosen broker. Give preference to serious companies, with a good reputation in the market and that have a good number of customers served. This demonstrates your respect and commitment to providing people with a smooth and unforgettable trip.

After reading the post, we can say that taking out travel insurance for exchanges is not a luxury, but a necessity. If you are one of those people who like to make the most of their experiences with peace of mind and support, you cannot board without this policy .