Traveling this summer keeps proving to be a nightmare as airlines struggle with staff shortages. That is why if you previously opted out of travelers’ insurance, you might find yourself reconsidering that. There are just way too many things that can go wrong — testing positive for COVID, canceled and oversold flights, missing a connecting flight due to delays, airports limiting the number of daily people, and many more. With any insurance, it’s crucial to do your research before paying so you know exactly what you’re buying and what it will cover.
Customize Your Insurance To The Trip
Before choosing travel insurance you want to thoroughly do your research and identify what coverage you’d like. Choosing the right travel insurance plan for you will be dependent on a few factors, including your budget, preferred coverage, your trip type, and your trip’s adventure level.
When identifying what’s important to you, two things worth considering are trip cancellations and coverage designed to address challenges related to COVID-19. You also want to consider if you’d like baggage coverage in case of lost or delayed arrivals. If you’re planning on renting a car, decide if you’d like that under your travel insurance or if you’d like to purchase from the renting company. If planning a cruise or a backpacking trip you’ll find that there are insurances that are customized for certain kinds of trips. If you are traveling with expensive work equipment such as cameras or audio gear definitely consider getting coverage for this. Lastly, there are incredibly flexible (but pricey) “cancel for any reason” policies, which cover just about every reason you’d need to cancel so long as you abide by your chosen plan’s purchase and cancel stipulations.
Read The Fine Print
Purchasing the right travel insurance policy can help you minimize stress as you travel this summer. Remember that each travel insurance policy varies, so you’ll need to carefully read the fine print before making your selection. In case you need to tap into your coverage, diligently document every aspect of your trip’s costs and the impact of the event. Make sure any maladies are confirmed by a doctor, including positive COVID results. Make sure you are persistent when pursuing reimbursement, too, as some insurance companies require a bit more convincing to give out reimbursements.
Document Everything Necessary For A Claim
Insurance marketplace Squaremouth reported that travel insurance claims have increased 235% in 2022 when compared to 2019 data. With more than double the number of claims to process, even the most customer-focused travel insurance company may consequently face challenges when dealing with claims. You can improve your chance for reimbursement by staying organized and on top of everything you could need to file a claim. Document everything, and don’t be afraid to be persistent. To avoid delays or rejections when you file a claim, keep your paperwork in order. The better you document your situation, the better your odds are of getting covered should any potential mishaps come up.
Bottom Line
Travel insurance right now is worth the investment this summer. However, keep in mind that although insurance companies are for-profit enterprises they can maximize their profits by minimizing customer payouts. It’s not always going to be easy to get reimbursed, sometimes intentionally so.