If
you are already on a trip and need travel insurance, this guide will take you
through the easy steps to get insured quickly.
Realizing you need travel insurance while you are away can be stressful. The good news is that in most cases you can still buy insurance.
These suggestions will explain what to check first, the types of insurance you can buy, how to buy a policy from abroad, and the easy steps to make a claim if you need to.
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| How to Get Travel Insurance If Already Travelling? |
Get Travel Insurance If Already Travelling
- Why buy
travel insurance while traveling?
Buying
travel insurance early can help you avoid major costs such as falling ill,
losing luggage or having to cut your trip short.
Accidents
and sudden illnesses can happen at any time. Without insurance, medical bills,
emergency evacuation or lost bags can cost much more than the policy covers.
Even
short-term insurance for medical emergencies and evacuation is better than
having no insurance at all.
Check the cover you already have
Before
you buy, check if you already have protection from credit cards, health
insurance or home insurance.
Many
people already have partial protection and don't know it. Check these sources
first so you don't end up paying for duplicate protection.
1. Benefits of Credit Card:
Many
credit cards offer limited travel or medical cover when you pay for travel with
the card, so read the card terms now.
Check
your card's website or call the number on the back. Note what's covered, what
the time limits are, and the steps to a claim.
Some
cards only cover trips paid for entirely with the card or only offer baggage or
travel delay benefits.
2. Home and Health Insurance:
Some
domestic or private health plans cover emergency medical care abroad, but they
may not cover evacuation or repatriation.
Contact
your insurance company or check the policy wording. If you only have local
health insurance, it may not work abroad. Even if medical care is covered,
evacuation back to your country often is not.
Types of travel insurance you can buy mid-trip
You
can also buy single-trip medical cover, an emergency-only plan, baggage cover
or cancellation cover, depending on your needs.
Common
options include,
Medical Emergency Only: Covers immediate treatment
and hospital bills.
Emergency medical care and evacuation: This includes air ambulance
or return home.
Luggage and personal effects: For lost, stolen, or damaged
items.
Trip interruption or cancellation: Paid if you have to cut your
trip short for covered reasons.
Short term or daily plans: are for a limited number of
days and can be cheaper too.
Choose
the one that matches your current main risk, usually medical and evacuation.
Where to buy travel insurance abroad?
You
can buy insurance online through international insurance companies, local
companies in your country, or through a travel agent.
Each
option has its pros and cons. Online international insurance companies are fast
and often have websites in English.
Local
insurance companies may be cheaper or more easily available locally, but be
sure to check the language and claims information.
1. Buying From International Online
Insurance Companies:
Buying
online from a global insurance company is often faster and allows you to
compare insurance limits and prices immediately.
Use
the insurance company's website or a trusted comparison site. You will receive
the policy document by email immediately.
2. Buying from local insurance
companies:
Local
insurance companies may offer plans that work better in their country, but
check the language and claims support first.
Ask
if they handle international claims and if support is available in English.
Confirm how you will contact them if needed.
Read: How
to Stay Safe as a Female Staying Alone in a Hotel Room?
What information and documents you will need?
To
buy a policy you usually need your passport details, travel dates, destination,
contact information and payment method.
Have this information ready: Passport number planned
return date, countries to stop, current location address and an email. If you
have any pre-existing health conditions, you will need to declare them.
How to quickly compare policies (what matters most)
When
comparing plans mid-trip, pay attention to medical limits, emergency
evacuation, exclusions and how to claim from abroad?
Key
points to check,
- Medical
cover limit:
Choose an amount at least high enough to cover hospital care in the
country you are in.
- Emergency
Evacuation:
Does the policy pay for transportation home if required?
- Claim
Process:
Can you call 24/7 from abroad?
- Exclusions:
Sports,
known events, or pre-existing conditions.
- Excess or
deductible:
A higher excess reduces the price but increases your out-of-pocket cost.
If
you need a quick decision, put medical attention and evacuation first.
Step by Step - Buying a Policy Online While Traveling
Find
a trusted insurer, enter your travel and health details, choose the coverage
and excess amount, make secure payment and keep the policy document safe.
- Use a secure internet connection,
not public Wi-Fi.
- Visit the insurer's website or a
trusted broker.
- Enter passport, travel dates and
health information honestly.
- Choose the cover level and
additional covers you can afford.
- Pay with a card that works
abroad.
Download
and save the policy and emergency card. Email a copy to someone at home.
Payment and address issues abroad
Use a
secure Internet connection and an overseas card; if the insurance company asks
for a home address, give your permanent address and state that you are
currently traveling.
If
the website asks for a local address, you can often provide a hotel address or
just your permanent home address. Be honest when asked about being abroad.
General limitations and exclusions to look out for
Pay
attention to factors such as pre-existing conditions, high-risk activities,
known events prior to purchase, and waiting periods.
Common
factors include,
- Pre-existing medical conditions
should not be declared.
- Injuries resulting from extreme sports
without additional cover
- Claims for events that started
before you bought the policy.
- Some plans include traveling to
areas with travel warnings.
- Read the policy summary for
important exclusions.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition or a known claim
If you have a pre-existing health condition or are aware of one, tell the insurer as it may affect cover or lead to rejection.
Do
not hide health problems. Some insurers also provide cover for stable
conditions, provided you declare them and pay an excess.
If
you already know you may have a claim, you may not get cover for that
condition.
How to make an emergency claim while traveling?
Keep
the insurer's emergency phone number with you, take photos of bills and
reports, get receipts and contact the insurer as soon as possible.
If you
need immediate help,
- Call the emergency number on your
policy.
- Get medical reports and receipts
from the hospital.
- Take photos of documents and
damage.
- Follow the insurer's instructions
for payment or direct billing.
- Keep all original receipts for
later.
What to do if an insurer refuses to cover you mid-way through your trip?
If an
insurance company refuses, contact another company, look for emergency medical
plans only, or contact your embassy for assistance options.
If
denied, don't panic. Contact another insurance company or ask your embassy for
a list of local hospitals and help with repatriation options. Some hospitals
will work with the family to arrange payment plans.
Tips to reduce costs and get quick coverage
To
save money, choose only the cover you need, increase the extras, limit travel
dates, and avoid extras you don't need.
Other
tips,
- Buy only for remaining travel
days.
- Raise your deductible to lower
your premiums.
- Don't use unnecessary extras like
gadget covers if not necessary.
- Quickly compare two or three
insurance companies.
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| How to Get Travel Insurance If Already Travelling? |
Quick Sample Checklist Before You Buy
Check
medical limits, emergency withdrawal, exclusions, claim procedure, premium
amount and download policy and identity card.
Checklist
to use,
- Medical limit amount noted.
- This also includes withdrawals.
- 24/7 emergency contact available
- A pre-existing condition, declare
it.
- Policy saved and emailed.
Conclusion and Final Advice
It is
possible to buy travel insurance while traveling and often quickly, if you
focus on medical and emergency evacuation cover first.
If
you must choose one thing, choose a policy that covers emergency medical care
and evacuation. Buy early, but read the key points carefully.
Always
have your policy and emergency phone numbers with you. Travel safely and enjoy
the rest of your trip.
Read: 7
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