Overseas Travel Insurance - A Few Useful Pointers

By Author: Edwina Trevino
Total Articles: 30
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There was a time when travellers and travel agents alike frowned on the very mention of the word overseas travel insurance. Not anymore. Today, travel insurance is an integral part of any travel itinerary.

It is not only your precious belongings, but even your health depends on your travel insurance, or to be more precise, on the right type of overseas travel insurance. Many people think their credit card accident cover and home medical insurance is sufficient, so they wonder why it is so important to buy various other kinds of protection when they visit abroad?

Here are a few good reasons.

* Your travel plans can go awry because the flight is cancelled.
* You forgot to carry your important medication and now you want a prescription filled.
* Someone stole your passport and wallet and you want emergency cash and the passport replaced.
* There is a last minute illness in your family and you want to cancel your trip.
* There is a crisis because your tour operator has gone broke. Now you need money to reach your destination.
* Your country suddenly announces a travel advisory ...
... not to go ahead to your destined country because of a terrorist threat.

These are just a few good reasons. There could be many more. The final say is you do require buying an insurance cover when you visit overseas. Travel insurance covers medical expenses for illness, tour operators' financial default, and any other losses incurred while travelling. You can buy temporary overseas travel insurance to cover exactly the duration of your trip or buy more extensive continuous travel insurance from insurance companies, travel agents, or tour operators.
What are the key things overseas travels insurance should cover?

* Medical and health cover for any sudden illness or accident abroad
* 24 hour emergency assistance.
* Personal liability cover in case you are indicted for causing any injury to a person or causing damage to property.
* Protection against lost or stolen baggage.
* Cover for sudden cancellation or curtailment.

You may also consider additional cover for legal expenses, and financial protection if your airline or tour operator goes bankrupt.

You may be apprehensive that some things are still missing or you may be at a loss to decide which type of protection you would need to include in yourtravel insurance. A good way to decide on this issue is to familiarize yourself on the type of environment in your destination. This could be a difficult task, especially if the country is a rarely travelled spot, but you can get all your answers if you ask someone who knows, or better still by surfing the web.

There is no point in paying for something for which you are already covered. Beware of flight insurance sold in vending machines. These instruments play on people's fear of flying. Your term life insurance policy, in all probability, covers your life.

One final word of advice. Buy overseas travel insurance through an established insurance company, not via travel agents, tour operators, or cruise line agents. Avoid taking risks by buying a cheap cover. A person is always safer in his own country than in a distant land that can be fraught with unknown hazards. It is wise to buy the right kind of overseas travel insurance. Rest assured you will have a safe and secure journey.
http://www.nriol.com/services/insurance is a website developed by NRI Online Pvt.Ltd., a company promoted by a group of professionals and dedicated in providing value-added services to the unique needs of expatriates worldwide. Overseas travel insurance and policy quotes for comparison on offer from global medical insurance plans.