Whether you are booking a family vacation or planning a business trip abroad, there is always a chance something could interfere with those travel plans.

That’s why news reports from New York Times’ Seth Kugel to Consumer Reports have covered the benefits of travel insurance. It has plenty going for it.

Travel Insurance can:

• help if you must cancel a trip.
• help pay for reasonable meals and a hotel stay if a flight gets delayed overnight.
• be affordable. Most policies run 4-8 percent of total trip cost.
• help cancel a trip due to bad weather or hurricanes.
• help if baggage is lost, damaged or stolen.
• cover emergency medical or dental care.
• offer a 24/7 emergency assistance hotline to help travelers with hospital and doctor recommendations, evacuations, or assistance getting out of a country in time of crisis.
• offer gap insurance for emergency medical care while traveling.

So how can you find the right travel insurance plan that is best for your trip ­– whether for business or leisure? While this post can’t cover everything about travel insurance, here’s a helpful step-by-step overview on how to start:

STEP 1: RESEARCH OPTIONS

Once that trip is planned, here’s what to do next:

1. Research travel insurance. Most start their search by researching travel insurance providers online or contacting a licensed travel insurance agent by phone or e-mail. Travel insurance comparison sites, like InsureMyTrip, are also useful for comparing policies from top providers in the industry. The comparison engine can also filter plans by type, coverage or provider.
2. Read reviews to gain insight. It’s easy for first time travel insurance customers to feel overwhelmed with so many plans and providers. That’s why reviews are so helpful. Read reviews written by real travelers who submitted a claim successfully or had a good experience with a provider’s customer service. If they had a good experience, hopefully you will too.

STEP 2: COMPARE TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance comes in several types. Each type comes with various benefits to provide coverage in specific travel situations (like if you must cancel a trip because of a hurricane or need medical care). Here are the two most frequently compared options:

OPTION 1: Comprehensive travel insurance — offers the most protection for travelers. It provides a variety of benefits including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical evacuation, emergency medical coverage, 24/7 emergency assistance, and baggage protection.

Example: For a $5,000 two week vacation to Aruba, a comprehensive travel insurance plan will cost a couple in their 50s around $200. This includes a $50,000 medical limit, $250,000 for medical evacuation in addition to trip cancellation coverage and other benefits.

OPTION 2: Travel medical insurance — provides emergency medical coverage, 24/7 emergency assistance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. Trip cancellation is typically not included.

Example: For the same trip to Aruba, a travel medical insurance plan will cost a couple in their 50s around $80. This includes a $50,000 medical limit with a $250 deductible and $500,000 medical evacuation and other benefits. No trip cancellation benefits.

STEP 3: REQUEST A QUOTE, PICK PLAN

 

After doing some research and deciding whether a comprehensive or travel medical plan is the right choice, the next step is to request a free quote to review plan options in more detail. You might be intimidated by all of the options available, but the truth is, you shouldn’t. All it takes is ten simple steps:

1. Go to a reputable travel insurance comparison site like InsureMyTrip
2. Start the free quote form. Fill out basic trip information like, ages, home state, dates of travel, destination, trip deposit date and total trip cost
3. Click “find a quote” or “compare plans”
4. Next, plan options will appear for consideration
5. Click each option to review policy details
6. Look at the policy certificate to check all benefits and exclusions closely along with the maximum amount allotted for reimbursement
7. Click “buy” or “purchase” when find the right choice
8. Fill out the application with names and address, etc.
9. Next, fill out a payment form
10. Expect an e-mail confirmation with policy details included. You’ll want to print and save the policy certificate details and bring along plan documents and 24/7 emergency customer service number on trip. (Also, it’s a good idea to get familiar with the requirements for filing a claim)

Go on your trip!

Travel smart

Travelers can also reduce risks while traveling by learning about destination-specific medical and safety concerns. The US State Department is a helpful resource.

Need more information? Talk to a pro. Visit www.InsureMyTrip.com or contact a licensed travel insurance agent at 1-800-590-2650.

This article is sponsored by InsureMyTrip:

InsureMyTrip is an online company that compares travel insurance products from the most trusted providers in the industry.

InsureMyTrip’s powerful unbiased comparison engine and thousands of reviews enable travelers to quote and buy the right travel insurance plan. The site is supported by award winning customer service and travel insurance agents licensed in all 50 states.

Featured by Consumer Reports, and listed as a helpful website by the US Federal Consumer Information Center.

InsureMyTrip travel insurance experts are featured in national publications including Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post, and Travel + Leisure.

Do you need travel insurance? Probably! Start your search for the right plan at InsureMyTrip.com!

 

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