Travel insurance

By Gardy Chacha

You never know what could happen while on a trip, whether locally or overseas. There are stories about travellers getting stuck in situations or losing finances, which could have been catered for by a traveller’s insurance.

It is important that in your travel plans, you arrange for travel insurance cover for the trip.

Before going on holiday, many travellers fail to consider the benefits of a travel insurance package. Since they’ve already spent a fortune on tickets, accommodation and booking for the necessities of the trip, one might overlook the insurance bit.

However, they may not know how exposed they are in regards to illnesses, accidents, loss or damage to their baggage while on transit.

Potential risks

Other potential risks that could occur while on vacation include loss of personal effects, flight and luggage delays and personal liability -— when a traveller is sued for causing injuries to a third party or their property.

Domestic health insurance policies are not tailor-made for travelling. While emergency coverage might be available, domestic plans are severely lacking in the types of coverage that are vital to international travellers.

It is, therefore, important that a smart traveller — or a frequent one for that matter -— gets himself a traveller’s insurance to cover him for all risks involved during trips.

Out of all these unfortunate incidents, health risks are the most important since travellers are exposed to new ecologies, are constantly in contact with different possible harms to their health because they are not acclimatised to these environments.

It is very important that in case you fall sick while on a trip, your treatment and wellbeing is catered for at good facilities in the country or place you are visiting.

There are regions like Europe’s Schengen Area — which comprises a block of 26 nations — that have travel insurance as part of mandatory visa requirements. They include Austria, France, Sweden, Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Several types of travel insurance, tailored to cover your exact insurance needs while on a trip, are available in different companies.      

Emergency medical services:

When something unfortunate happens to you in a foreign country, it can be confusing and overwhelming if prior preparations have not been put into place. 

Trip cancellation:

Sometimes you can cancel or postpone your trip at the last minute for emergency reasons.  Travel Insurance can provide a cushion that will ensure you do not lose the deposit if this happens.

Loss or theft of luggage and personal effects:

Travel insurance can also cater for the loss of any luggage; including important materials like visa cards. It will also cover the cost of your personal belongings as well as the cost of replacing essential travel documents.

Personal liability insurance:

This is in the case of another person being accidentally harmed or losing their property as a result of your actions while travelling.

For a smart traveller, travel insurance provides the cover needed for an easy holiday or a journey that’s well catered for.