Introduction

Domestic and international travel comes in almost endless shapes and forms and every trip has its own unique characteristics and special features.

Each journey to a foreign land has its own purpose, such as: leisure, backpacking, a romantic cruise, studying abroad, adventure sports, work and business as well as visiting family members or close friends.

In addition, other individual trip factors include the destination, the number of travelers, their age, trip length and others.

It might not be the most enjoyable part of the vacation planning process, but since a lot can happen during one’s stay abroad, it’s important to purchase travel insurance before visiting any international destination.

No matter how perfect one’s travel plans seem to be, each trip has its own set of associated risks, as almost anything can go wrong while traveling in a foreign country.
Unpredicted circumstances range from minor annoyances and inconveniences to serious emergencies, major catastrophes and even life-threatening situations.

Many unexpected scenarios and events which are out of the traveler’s control can take place during a trip overseas: accidents, illnesses, injuries, terror attacks, mugging, unannounced strikes, hijacking, natural disasters, legal issues and the list goes on and on.

Being covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy can help get proper medical care in a time of need, save one’s life and avoid a massive financial damage.
In addition, purchasing such a plan can protect its owner against a variety of other unfortunate incidents and travel mishaps like trip cancellations and lost or stolen possessions.

The ability to be fully covered for most common eventualities and limit potential worst-case-scenario risks, helps leaving the country while enjoying peace of mind and the assurance that if something bad happens, the trip will not turn into a health or financial nightmare.

Buying a Travel Insurance Package

Since there is such a broad variety of travel insurance plans that are available in this competitive market, it’s critical to carefully read the fine-print and thoroughly understand what each one truly offers – and pay special attention to exclusions (meaning, the things that the policy does not cover), in order to avoid any unpleasantly surprises in real-time.
Each plan has its own terms and conditions which may include coverages such as:

Medical Emergencies
In some countries, the cost of health-related expenses, doctor visits, drugs and hospital treatment can be incredibly high.
International travel health insurance coverage can provide protection for injuries, accidents, sicknesses and other types of emergency medical and dental care.

Evacuation
Some scenarios require getting rescued from a remote place, airlifting and helicopter transfers to local hospitals or using an air ambulance that is suited for emergency transport home for proper care and long-term treatment (medical evacuation).

Trip Cancellation
Planning a trip involves a substantial financial investment that covers things like air tickets, cruise fare, hotels, complete vacation packages, etc.

Under some unexpected circumstances, like an accident, an illness, a death of an immediate family member and other covered reasons, the customer can get reimbursement for prepaid, nonrefundable portion of his or her travel expenses.

Baggage & Personal Effects
Covers for lost, stolen or damaged checked luggage and personal belongings.
Baggage delay coverage provides financial assistance to buy clothes, supplies and other essential items, until the luggage is located.

Other risks that might be covered by certain policies include:

• Personal liability
• Trip interruptions and delays
• Missed connection / itinerary change
• Coverage for high value items (smartphone, laptop, camera, etc.)
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
• Repatriation of remains
• Car renter’s collision insurance
• Pre-existing medical condition coverage
• ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ option
• Annual multi-trip plans
• High-risk countries and troubled regions

What Do Travel Insurance Websites Offer?

Online travel insurance providers offer a convenient and easy way to get a quote and buy a basic or comprehensive plan on the internet.
Most insurers offer a selection of policies on their sites that allow consumers to choose a plan which is best suited to their unique travel needs.

Travel insurance premiums are based on various variables, such as the type of coverage, traveler’s age, the specific destination, the cost of the trip, the customer’s medical history, special risks and other factors that comprise the cost of the package.

Reputable and reliable insurers offer good coverage, 24/7 emergency assistance, easy claim filing process, efficient compensation for justified claims and deliver speedy service and quick payments when claims are made.

Paying for Travel Insurance with PayPal

Even though PayPal is one of the most popular payment methods on the internet, the vast majority of insurance companies are not offering it as one of their billing options.
A relatively small number players in this market do accept PayPal and hopefully, their number will increase with time.