Every person’s life is always full of worries and troubles. But travel takes a special place in it. It is very important to maintain the most important thing - health and peace of mind. For this, there is travel insurance. In this article we will talk about how important it is to choose the right insurance organization. In addition, we will find out why such a service as travel insurance is generally needed. Feedback from people who have already taken advantage of such offers will help us with this.
What is travel insurance?
Going on a trip for the first time, many do not think about how important the fact of health and life insurance during this period is. But in vain.
If a travel company sends you on a trip, then the policy is already included in the package of required documents. But if you are going to rest "savage", you should take care of choosing such protection yourself.
This is where a lot of questions arise. Is travel insurance compulsory? What does it give? How to use the policy if necessary? What to look for when concluding a contract? And much more.
Understanding this issue is worthwhile, since if you can still enter some Asian countries without a policy (at your own peril and risk, of course), then Schengen area they will not be allowed in without insurance, they will not get a visa.
What is such insurance for?
As you know, travel insurance is important. Each SC offers its own "chips" to attract as many customers as possible. However, in the general case, all risks can be divided into four large groups:
- medical insurance in case of deterioration of health, illness or accident;
- insurance in case visa is refused;
- protection in case of flight cancellation or delay of more than 3 hours;
- insurance of loss, partial damage or complete destruction of baggage.
Of course, each SC offers its own list of risks. For example, Sberbank travel insurance provides for the following items:
- medical care, including the treatment of sunburn;
- medical transportation;
- repatriation in case of death;
- the return of children to their homeland if parents cannot keep an eye on them as a result of ill health;
- transportation costs, payment of urgent messages;
- dentist services;
- search and rescue operations if necessary;
- Accommodation at the hotel before transportation to the homeland if it is impossible to leave the host country on your own
- theft or loss of documents;
- translation services and lawyer if necessary;
- Flight delay;
- loss or delay of baggage;
- trip cancellation;
- early return in the event of a serious illness or death of the next of kin;
- other risks.
Additionally, you can include the risks associated with outdoor activities, loss or damage to sports equipment, reimbursement of the cost of ski-pass, if for some reason you could not use it.
Many ICs offer their customers to include similar risks in the contract. But each policy can have its own nuances.
How to choose a good insurance company
Those who travel a lot around the countries of Southeast Asia, most often choose a policy from the Liberty company. Travel insurance in this company has its advantages:
- cost is one of the lowest in the Russian insurance market;
- there are quite a few detailed positive reviews confirmed by facts and photographs;
- lack of franchise;
- the ability to quickly issue a policy without leaving home;
- the ability to take out insurance for the whole year (365 days) of continuous travel.
By the way, not all companies offer the last option to customers. One of them is Liberty Insurance. Traveler reviews here are mostly positive. Particularly warmly, customers respond to Liberty Insurance's partner - Class assistance. This is a well-known international company with a very high rating. Class assistance collaborates with many clinics around the globe, and this is very important.
What questions to ask insurers
If you have never dealt with such a fact as travel insurance, then this section should be read especially carefully.
Before making a final decision, call the selected UK and ask the following questions:
- What assistance companies work with your company in the country of intended residence? It is best to choose the one with the “important” and eminent partner. A small and unknown assistance company will certainly not provide you any protection.
- Does the policy have a franchise and what is its size? Very often, SKs offer a contract in which it is indicated that if the amount of expenses is less than $ 100 ($ 50, $ 300, another amount), you pay the treatment costs yourself. Such insurance, although it is cheaper, but it can "spill over" into a tidy sum. For example, during the rest you had a headache 4 times and the doctor prescribed pills every time. In each case, you paid the doctor $ 40. In total, the treatment cost you $ 160, but the insurance company will not return anything to you, since each individual insurance case cost only $ 40, which fits into a deductible ($ 100).
- How is insurance paid? There may be two options: you pay for everything yourself, and then present the manager with checks, statements and receipts; insurers pay for everything.
- Does the lack of vaccinations affect the recognition of the case as insurance? If so, ask what kind of vaccinations you should do before starting the trip.
- What does not count insurance case?
- How long before the start of the trip do I need to draw up a policy? Many insurance companies do not allow insurance to be issued later than 5-7 days before departure.
- Is it possible to extend the policy on the way? This is very important for those who are going on the principle of “where the curve will lead” and do not know the exact date of return.
Most often already at this stage you can judge whether it is worth dealing with your chosen UK. If you managed to get clear answers to all questions, feel free to agree. But if you were answered evasively or did not begin to talk at all (or offered to come in person), it’s worth considering. In the event of an unforeseen situation, you are likely to face the same problems: red tape and evasion of obligations.
What to consider when applying for a policy
When applying for a policy, pay attention to what this document includes. Read these points carefully:
- contract time;
- the number of trips, in the case when you intend to visit more than one country, draw up a “multitrip” or a policy for many trips;
- the number of days of the trip;
- amount of coverage;
- set of probable risks;
- your actions in case of problems.
How long do you want?
Most travel policies do not last long - from 20 to 90 days. This means that, having traveled abroad, you can stay there only a certain number of days, after which you will have to return. For those who prefer to stay “over the hill” for a long time, there are several options:
- execution of the contract without a clear time limit - you can stay outside the country for a year;
- if you stay in the same country for at least a year, it makes sense to apply for a policy with a local operator (it will be valid only in the territory of that particular country);
- you can apply for a policy at your bank (to which the card is attached), and then the usual tourist insurance.
Some UK offer extension or registration of a policy from anywhere in the world. That is, if during the trip you decide to continue your vacation, you can extend your existing insurance or draw up a new contract (even in another company).
But Sberbank travel insurance takes out only until the border crossing. If you have already left, they cannot get a policy.
How to use an insurance policy
The procedure for the occurrence of an event that has signs of insurance must be clearly stated in the contract itself. But in general, your actions should look like this:
- First of all, contact your UK and record the incident. You will definitely find the number on the policy itself. Tell the employee what happened, where you are at the moment, and give the insurance number. Next, follow the instructions of the manager. He will tell you where to go next and what documents you need to have with you.
- Upon arrival at the clinic, fill out the necessary documents, focus the employees' attention on the fact that all insurance expenses are borne by the insurance, and you do not pay anything. Go see a doctor.
- Carefully read all the documents that “palm off” you. Do not sign anything if you are not completely sure that you know what it is about. If necessary, request the services of a lawyer and translator.
- Be sure to coordinate your every step, even the intended one, with representatives of the UK. Well, of course, make sure that your case is regarded by employees as insurance. Then proceed according to the situation.
Rating of insurance companies
After analyzing a lot of reviews, we made a small rating of travel insurance by various companies.
A large number of positive emotions among tourists cause such:
- Liberty
- IC "Consent";
- VTB Insurance;
- Rosgosstrakh;
- Alliance (ROSNO);
- Zetta (former SK Zurich);
- some other insurance organizations.
A lot of negative reviews have SK "Russian standard". Insurance there are a lot of travelers here, and the quality of service will depend on which country and manager you are in. In order not to look prejudiced, we note that there are enough positive reviews from the Russian Standard. So it’s rather difficult to say anything specific about this company.
