Travel insurance is the most overlooked item when planning a trip. So here’s a complete guide, and why it should be top of your list.
What Is Travel Insurance?
In this guide I’ll explain exactly what travel insurance is, and why you need it.
The words ‘travel insurance’ can be used to describe many different types of cover, but basically it’s there to protect you if/when things go wrong.
Here are a few of the most common types of cover:
Travel Health Insurance
Cover for accidents, injuries, and hospital visits while you are away from home.
Medical Evacuation Insurance
Cover for transporting you to a major hospital for treatment.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Cover for unexpected interruptions in your travel plans.
Lost Or Stolen Baggage/Property Insurance
Cover for theft or damage to your gear while traveling.
Generally when purchasing travel insurance it will come as a package and all of the above will be included at some level.
Although you should definitely check to see if all of the above are covered when taking out a policy, and if the extent/level covers your needs.
Who To Purchase Travel Insurance With & Why
Simply put, I recommend WorldNomads.com.
I’ve used them since the beginning of my travels, and will continue to use them as long as I’m on the move.
You can buy and claim online, even after you’ve left home, and travel insurance from WorldNomads.com is available to people from 140 countries.
It’s designed for adventurous travellers, with cover available for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities.
And the best part is not only do they allow global cover, their online claim form means that it takes just 10 minutes filing a claim, rather than being on the phone for hours abroad trying to get through to customer service.
7 Things You Should Know About WorldNomads.com
Trusted reliable underwriters
WorldNomads.com is backed by a suite of strong, secure, specialist travel insurers who provide you with great cover, 24 hour emergency assistance and the highest levels of support and claims management when you need it most.
Value for money with the cover you need
WorldNomads.com provides cover for what’s important for travellers from 140 countries.
By focusing on what you need and leaving out what you don’t, World Nomads prices are some of the most competitive online.
Flexibility when you need it most
Had a change of plans?
You can buy more cover or claim online while you are still away. You can even buy a World Nomads policy if you’re already travelling.
Cover for a range of adventure activities
From skiing & snowboarding in New Zealand to whitewater rafting in Colorado, WorldNomads.com covers a range of adventure activities, giving you peace of mind to get the most from your travels.
World Nomads keeps you travelling safely
All WorldNomads.com members have access to up-to-date travel safety alerts. As well as travel safety advice and tips online through the World Nomads Travel Safety Hub.
More than just great value travel insurance
All WorldNomads.com members can learn the local lingo through a series of iPod & iPhone Language Guides.
You can also stay in touch with family and friends with an online travel journal.
Commitment to exceptional customer service
WorldNomads.com offers some of the best customer service I’ve ever come across.
You can find out more about why travel insurance is important for your trip, and if you have any questions about your travel insurance or travel safety in general, you contact WorldNomads.com directly and their team are super quick to respond.
So overall I cannot fault WorldNomads.com and believe their model is exactly how modern travel insurance should be.
They are fast, flexible and will ensure you absolutely enjoy your travels to the max. You can always know that, behind you is a reliable and solid insurance company ready to step up when needed.
Do You Really Need It?
I’m not here to force you into buying travel insurance, or to convince you that you NEED it to survive. But ultimately the answer is always YES.
If you’re planning any type of trip, whether you’re flying abroad or travelling within the same country, travel insurance should be at the top of your priority list.
Be it backpacking, a family holiday or just a weekend city break, things can always go wrong!
Shit happens, and a lot of the time shit that is out of your control, so without insurance you could end up copping quite a hefty bill. Or even worse, losing the most valuable items you own, with no way of claiming the funds to replace them.
‘I’ll be sweet nothing bad ever happens to me’ or ‘it’s only a 2 week trip’ are some of the most common reasons for not purchasing travel insurance.
But what if your bus crashes? Or you slip and break your leg at a waterfall? Maybe you pick up a deadly disease? Or someone knocks you off your scooter?
These things definitely happen to travellers from time to time, and could cost you tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars if you don’t have insurance.
Not so fun fact!
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises hospital costs in South East Asia exceed $800 a day and medical evacuations have cost more than $60,000.
So unless you’re a human being with no care for your life, belongings or bank balance, the answer to the above question is always YES!
More Resources
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