Best Travel Insurances in 2023
Travel Insurance: What You Need To Know
Travel insurance is an essential part of any trip, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a months-long adventure abroad. While nobody wants to think about the worst-case scenario, the truth is that unexpected events can happen while traveling, and having travel insurance can provide peace of mind and financial protection. In this article, we’ll cover what travel insurance is, the best travel insurance options, why you need travel insurance, steps to take when choosing the right travel insurance, and things to remember when purchasing travel insurance.
What is Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is a type of insurance that covers unexpected events that may occur while you’re traveling. It can cover a range of issues such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, and more. The coverage varies depending on the policy and the insurance provider.
Best Travel Insurances
When it comes to choosing the best travel insurance, two options stand out: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Here’s a closer look at each of them:
Safety Wing
Safety Wing is a popular option for digital nomads and long-term travelers. It offers affordable travel medical insurance, which includes coverage for medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, and accidental death and dismemberment. Safety Wing is also known for its flexible policy lengths, with policies available for up to a year at a time.
Pros:
- Affordable rates
- Covers a wide range of activities, including remote work
- Covers travelers from over 180 countries
- No age limit
- Easy to purchase and manage policies online
Cons:
- Limited coverage for high-risk activities such as extreme sports
- No coverage for pre-existing conditions
World Nomads
World Nomads is another popular travel insurance option. It offers comprehensive coverage for a range of issues, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, and more. World Nomads also offers 24/7 emergency assistance and has a range of policies available for different types of travelers.
Pros:
- Covers a wide range of activities, including adventure sports
- Comprehensive coverage
- Covers travelers from over 140 countries
- 24/7 emergency assistance and customer service
- Policies available for different types of travelers
- Offers customizable plans for longer trips
Cons:
- Higher rates compared to other insurance providers
- No coverage for pre-existing conditions
Both Safety Wing and World Nomads are great options for travel insurance, but which one is better depends on your specific needs. Safety Wing is an excellent choice for digital nomads and budget travelers, while World Nomads is ideal for adventure sports enthusiasts and travelers who want a higher level of coverage.
Why Do You Need Travel Insurance?
Now that we’ve covered the best travel insurance options, let’s talk about why you need travel insurance in the first place. Here are some common scenarios where travel insurance can come in handy:
- Medical Emergencies If you get sick or injured while traveling, medical expenses can quickly add up. Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, including hospitalization, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation.
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption Sometimes, unexpected events such as natural disasters, illness, or death in the family can force you to cancel or cut short your trip. Travel insurance can provide reimbursement for non-refundable trip expenses, including flights and accommodations.
- Lost or Stolen Belongings Travel insurance can provide coverage for lost or stolen luggage, personal items, and travel documents such as passports and visas.
- Emergency Evacuations In the event of a natural disaster, political unrest, or other emergencies, travel insurance can cover the costs of emergency evacuation.
- Personal Liability If you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while traveling, travel insurance can provide coverage for legal fees and compensation.
Steps Towards Choosing the Right Travel Insurance
Now that you know why you need travel insurance, let’s talk about how to choose the right travel insurance for your trip. Here are some steps to follow:
- Get your activities covered: Make sure your policy covers any activities you plan on doing, such as adventure sports or extreme activities.
- Determine the value of your belongings: Calculate the total value of your belongings to ensure you have enough coverage.
- Is medical care part of your travel insurance?: Make sure your policy covers any medical care you may need while traveling.
- Medical budget: Determine how much you are willing to spend on medical coverage.
- Is trip cancellation covered in your travel insurance?: Make sure your policy covers trip cancellations or interruptions due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Think about the excess: Consider the excess or deductible you will need to pay if you need to make a claim. A lower excess may mean a higher premium, while a higher excess may mean lower premiums.
- Who are you going with and for how long?: Consider the length of your trip and the number of people you are traveling with, as this may affect the type of policy you need.
Things to Remember with Travel Insurance
When purchasing travel insurance, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Read the small print: Make sure you read the policy wording carefully to ensure you understand what is and isn’t covered.
- Understand definitions: Make sure you understand any definitions in the policy wording, such as the definition of “pre-existing conditions”.
- Don’t be irresponsible: Travel insurance is not a license to be reckless. You still need to take care of yourself and your belongings while traveling.
- Choose an insurance provider with a 24-hour hotline: Make sure your insurance provider has a 24-hour hotline that you can call in case of an emergency.
- Use comparison websites & shop around: Compare different travel insurance providers and policies to ensure you get the best coverage for your needs.
In conclusion, travel insurance is an essential part of any trip. The best travel insurance options, Safety Wing and World Nomads, offer comprehensive coverage for a range of issues. When choosing travel insurance, it’s important to consider your specific needs and take the necessary steps to ensure you have adequate coverage. And remember, when purchasing travel insurance, always read the fine print, understand key terms, and choose a provider with a 24-hour hotline. Happy and safe travels!