Most people prefer travelling internationally during the holiday season. Since they get leaves, it is only a smart move to go on a trip. While you plan your trip and book tickets, accommodation and other things, one thing you must not forget is travel insurance.
The festive season is also when the rush is pretty high. Once your tickets are ready and you're all set to go out, you should buy travel insurance online. Whether you're going on a domestic or international trip, the insurance you get is a total lifesaver. So, get the insurance with proper coverage.
Why purchase travel insurance during the holiday season?
Travelling internationally will be an experience that you wouldn't want to forget. However, if any emergency or unknown situation arises, that can be a total mood spoiler. Therefore, while you're setting out on the trip, make sure to get your travel insurance online.
Here are some of the key reasons to purchase travel insurance during the holiday season:
1. Medical emergency in a foreign land
You wouldn't want to be stranded in a foreign land due to a medical emergency. Moreover, medical treatment in foreign countries can be expensive, which can burn a hole in your pocket. On the other hand, when you have travel insurance with comprehensive coverage, you will get all these emergency medical services without having to spend much.
2. Baggage and document loss
What if you accidentally lose your passport? What if your checked-in baggage is lost? Rules internationally are stringent, and such baggage and document losses can leave you stressed. International travel insurance is of great help for getting coverage against lost, stolen or delayed baggage.
3. Emergency evacuation
If you're visiting a high-risk country for your trip during the holidays, you will have to evacuate in case of a war breakout or terrorist attacks urgently. Your insurer can arrange for you to be you back home or to a safer location.
What type of coverage should your travel insurance online offer?
When you get your travel insurance online, you must ensure to check the coverage. Medical coverage is provided in almost all of them, but that may not be enough. If your insurance doesn't provide enough coverage, you are likely to face disruptions during your holiday vacation.
Here are some of the prominent types of coverage that your insurance must offer, apart from medical coverage:
1. Trip cancellation: The insurance must provide reimbursement for all the prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses. The coverage will only be provided if you have had to cancel the trip because of one of the reasons mentioned in the policy coverage.
2. Travel delays: The unpredictable weather conditions and rush during the holiday season are likely to create a lot of delays. Therefore, the insurance should offer coverage for accommodation and food expenses if your travel has been delayed significantly.
3. Baggage delay or loss: Considering the rush during the holiday season, baggage loss and delay are a common scenario. In case of baggage delay, you must get reimbursement for a change of clothes, toiletries and other necessary things in your bag. As for baggage loss, reimbursement for all the items in your baggage lost, damaged or stolen should be provided.
If you're caught in any of these scenarios, you must connect with your insurer as soon as possible. They can look into all the details and ensure proper support, thereby helping you in the long run, especially in recovery or getting reimbursement. Experts recommend reporting these dangers within a time period of 24 hours to get proper reimbursement and claim on time.
Is travel insurance crucial during the holiday season?
Yes, the holiday season is indeed one of the best times to buy travel insurance online. Not only can you get discounts, but you can also avoid any major problems if the situation arises.
Do students need to buy travel insurance online during the holiday season?
Students who are travelling back home or to a new destination must also consider getting student travel insurance. With proper coverage, this type of insurance is designed for students only. Based on your requirements, you can also customise the insurance.
Suppose you face any challenges in a foreign land, like a medical emergency, study issues or loss of documents. In that case, the insurance will cover your stay and provide you with a safe experience. Student travel insurance is one of the best ways to protect yourself in an international country. With your insurance, you can have peace of mind while travelling.
What is excluded from travel insurance?
Whether you're getting travel insurance online during the holiday season or before, you often check the inclusions. A significant part where people make mistakes is not checking the exclusions. As a result, they go on to file a claim, which often gets rejected, leaving the policyholders disappointed.
You must know what your insurance covers and what it doesn't, especially when you're travelling during the holiday season. After all, it can be a total disappointment and may ruin your complete trip experience. Below are some of the key things not covered by international and student travel insurance:
1. Breach of law
2. Consuming any intoxicating substances
3. Adventure sports
4. Pre-existing diseases
5. Cosmetic and obesity treatment
6. Injury
Tips for finding the best holiday season travel insurance
Around 97% of Indians prefer travelling during the holiday season. The thrill and fun are pretty exciting. You must know that the holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year, and you wouldn't want any last-minute plans to ruin the entire experience.
If you want the trip to be fun and peaceful, it is always advised to choose the best travel insurance during the holiday season. Here are some of the top tips for finding the best insurance:
1. Protect your trip costs
Your trip is going to be expensive, so don't shy away when it comes to saving some costs. It is advisable to get comprehensive travel insurance even if you're travelling with your family. Comprehensive insurance offers a wide range of coverage, which is usually not provided by standard travel insurance.
2. Know your needs
If you're taking any last-minute trip with your loved ones, you must ensure to get to know what your needs are. For example, your travel insurance may not cover everything that a student travel insurance will. Some insurance plans come with specialised coverage for adventure and business purposes. Even if you're taking these trips around holidays, you must know what your needs are.
3. Buy early
The rush during the holiday season is going to leave you all crazy. So, you should not wait till the last minute to buy insurance. Never wait till the last minute to purchase international trips or student travel insurance because you may end up missing out on some crucial details. Buying early gives you a chance to check and make the corrections if required, especially when you're taking a trip to a country where costs are pretty high.
Conclusion
You're not only buying travel insurance online, but a safety net that will be helpful and take you around. Travelling during the holiday season can be very stressful. However, when you have insurance, you can have peace of mind that everything is being taken care of throughout the journey. As a result, you can travel freely during your holiday season vacation. The only condition is that you must ensure that the insurance you choose offers you more than just medical coverage.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.