Insurance is a confusing and intimidating subject. But I’ll try and simplify it for you. 🙂
The most frequent questions asked by travelers that I've met are:
1. Why should I have a travel insurance?
2. When is it best to buy it?
3. Which insurance is really good?
Why should you have a travel insurance?
In order for you to have someone to turn to in case you don’t feel well or, god forbid, in case of an accident, I suggest you get a dedicated travel insurance.
Your domestic medical insurance doesn't cover you when traveling abroad.
Travel insurance also covers different incidents that might happen to travelers, like trip cancellation, lost of luggage, missing connection flight… etc.
When should you get a travel insurance?
I purchase an insurance right after buying the flight tickets, because cancelling the trip is warranted by it as well. Obviously not all cancellations apply to this rule. For example, canceling just because you feel like it won’t get your money back from the insurance company. But if you couldn't travel because of a medical or family incident (set out by policy terms) then you could get your money back.
So what’s best?
I prefer World Nomads – an international insurance policy available to residents of 150 countries, and recommended by Lonely Planet.
It is possible to purchase or extend it even after you left home. It’s also suitable for those traveling for long periods of time, offers coverage for a wide range of extreme sports, has good rates for families and covers cancellations and missed connection flights.
You can buy it online – here.
