When you book a trip, it is always worth sitting down and working out whether you need to buy something like a SafeTrip travel insurance policy. Doing so can potentially save you a lot of time, hassle and, in certain circumstances, money.Ā However, whether you need to buy it or not is a question that is worth asking yourself.
Not all trips need to be covered
If you are planning to drive across the country to stay for a week with relatives or friends, the chances are you will not need to buy travel insurance. Your car policy should cover you in the event of a road accident. Because you are not traveling outside of your country of residence, your medical bills should be covered by the state or your regular health insurance company.
Travel insurance for internal and short flights
However, if you were to fly there instead, buying travel insurance company for the flight can make sense. Plus, should someone fall ill and need a medical ambulance to take them to a hospital closer to where you live, the coverage will be there.
Do you already own travel insurance?
There is also a chance that you already have a policy. Perhaps your bank or credit card provides you with some sort of coverage. In this situation, you may not need to buy an additional travel insurance policy.
However, you do need to be careful and double check that the coverage is adequate. Sometimes it will be fine, other times it will not. For example, the chances are that hazardous sports coverage is not included. So, you could be OK relying on your credit card travel insurance for your summer holiday but may need to buy additional coverage for a skiing trip.
Also, your private medical insurance firm may also provide you with some coverage. If that is the case, you may only need to protect yourself against flight cancellations, delays, lost luggage etc. However, be careful before deciding not to buy a separate travel insurance policy.
You could find out that most of your treatment bills are covered, but that you cannot get back home until you have recovered. For example, your medical insurance company will not always cover the cost of an air ambulance. Plus, they will not usually make any contribution to accommodation so a close relative can stay with you during your recovery. Whereas, some regular travel insurance providers will pay for, or partially cover, these types of additional expenses.
You are not eligible for travel insurance coverage
For some travelers, finding a firm that offers them any meaningful level of coverage is all but impossible. In many countries, if you are aged over 100, nobody will insure you. This can also be the case if you are already suffering from certain medical conditions.
For travelers in those situations, buying a policy is only possible if they lie on the application form. This seems OK, but in reality, it is not. If you try to make a claim, it will be rejected because the policy has been bought under false pretenses.
If you fall into the category of someone who is uninsurable, you have two choices. You can either stay at home or take a risk and travel knowing that if you become ill, you will have to cover your own expenses. Just donāt fall into the trap of inadvertently paying out good money for a policy that is, for you, actually worthless. Some unscrupulous travel firms and brokers will try to sell you a policy even if it does not actually provide you with coverage.
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Invisible Lioness
August 14, 2018 at 2:00 amSome really good information here. I usually don’t buy travel insurance, simply because I don’t really know in which cases I need it. Thanks for clearing that up for me!
Carmen Edelson
August 14, 2018 at 2:30 pmNo problem – I was in the same boat as you!
Alyssa
August 14, 2018 at 9:50 amI always find it hard to decide whether or not I need travel insurance. Thanks for sharing this post.
Carmen Edelson
August 14, 2018 at 2:30 pmI felt the same way up until recently!
Elisha
August 14, 2018 at 12:57 pmThanks for the info! I always pass it up, but my family from Europe always has it and it has really come in handy for them!
Carmen Edelson
August 14, 2018 at 2:30 pmYes, you never know when you will need it the most! Better to be safe than sorry š
Punita Malhotra
August 15, 2018 at 12:35 amYou can underestimate the need for taking precautions or being prepared. Travel insurance is always a good idea. Unless, like you said, if one is travelling short distances or staying with relatives nearby.
Carmen Edelson
August 16, 2018 at 2:10 pmYes! I’ve underestimated it in the past but I won’t make that mistake again.
ANNA
August 15, 2018 at 11:48 amYou do not need an extra insurance if you are a European Union resident and have Īuropenean health insurance card
Carmen Edelson
August 16, 2018 at 2:10 pmLucky you! š
Kirstin
August 15, 2018 at 11:57 amI sometimes forget that there might be insurance policies through something else have. Always good to check before you leave! I’ve only had to use travel insurance once but I was glad I had it!
Carmen Edelson
August 16, 2018 at 2:10 pmYes, it’s definitely always good to check!
Cindy Baker
August 15, 2018 at 2:13 pmThanks for this info. We don’t tend to take the time to read the fine print on credit card coverage, so this is an excellent reminder to review each situation.
Carmen Edelson
August 16, 2018 at 2:10 pmYou’re very welcome, Cindy! I was in the same boat.
Lara Dunning
August 15, 2018 at 8:20 pmThese are all great reasons. I always get insurance, and last year when my camera got stolen, I was thankful I did. I swear I keep getting credit card noticed that are telling me of my revised policies, which often include revamps to the travel part of the benefits they offer. While it is a super drag to have to sift through all the text, it is so helpful, especially if you are traveling overseas.
Carmen Edelson
August 16, 2018 at 2:11 pmIt is a drag but so worth it in the end! I’m sorry about your camera.
Anja
August 16, 2018 at 6:11 pmI always get health travel insurance, otherwise I’d feel very uncomfortable. However, I usually do not insure my belongings- which could come in handy, now that I’ve heard a couple of stories of stolen items lately.
Carmen Edelson
August 20, 2018 at 2:14 pmYes it really can come in handy!
Melissa Rogers
August 16, 2018 at 9:20 pmI’ve always wondered about travel insurance! I never took the time to look into when it is/isn’t worth it and what it covers, so thank you for going into the details. I learned a lot! š
Carmen Edelson
August 20, 2018 at 2:14 pmSo glad to hear it, Melissa!
Ann
August 16, 2018 at 10:36 pmGreat information, thank you! I’m usually covered under a credit card, but sometimes that’s not enough.
Carmen Edelson
August 20, 2018 at 2:14 pmYou’re welcome, thanks for reading š
Marshall Brown
December 6, 2018 at 11:50 amThanks for the tip and I agree that we should get insurance too.
Carmen Edelson
December 11, 2018 at 12:02 pmYes, it’s so important!
vidhan
December 19, 2018 at 3:28 amThanks for such a great article….
if you are going on a vacation this summer you probably already booked some of the key elements travel insurance plan don’t cover pre existing conditions. if you get sick on the road , yes travel insurance there for you
Carmen Edelson
January 12, 2019 at 2:31 pmYes, this is very true!
DODO
August 5, 2019 at 2:12 amI like your site. Its really so helpful for me. i am from USA and travelling is my passion.
Carmen Edelson
August 6, 2019 at 4:29 pmThat means so much, thank you!
Medit
September 12, 2019 at 5:13 amThank you! If you ask me, travel insurance is never a bad idea. Who knows what might happen?
Carmen Edelson
September 23, 2019 at 10:15 pmYes, better to be safe than sorry!
Qasim
October 4, 2019 at 3:38 amDear Carmen,
Thank you for this great article. I am one of those who goes nowhere without Travel Insurance. Until you aren’t hit by a problem , everything looks fine. But once you are in it , than your trip becomes a disaster. Once on my trip i got Ear infection and it was very severe . I suddenly got dizzy and even could not walk. After a call to my Travel Insurance provider, i was taken to the Hospital by ambulance and given treatment without any costs. So whenever i go abroad i take Travel Insurance with me, i know how much benefit it has when you are in trouble.
Keep the good work going Carmen. Wish you good-luck in your further endeavors.
Carmen Edelson
October 9, 2019 at 5:09 pmI’m sorry that happened to you but I’m glad you were covered!
Betty
October 4, 2019 at 4:10 amI remembered when I traveled to an Asian country where they have offered me a travel insurance to choose whether I pursue it and charge me if not, they are going to sign for a wave. Hmmm, we had a long conversation and ended up availing on for my trip.
Carmen Edelson
October 9, 2019 at 5:09 pmI hope to never have to use it but I’d rather be safe than sorry š
John Gatesby
August 17, 2022 at 5:44 amVery informative read! Travel insurance is a must as it covers most of the eventualities or emergencies that may arise while vacationing abroad but as you rightly mentioned we must be aware of the frauds.
Carmen Edelson
August 23, 2022 at 12:20 pmDefinitely!