Most families, while planning their tours, prioritise itineraries, travel plans and costs associated with trips. However, they tend to overlook the need for an international travel medical insurance policy to save them from financial losses if anything goes wrong during their trip.
Generally, travel insurance policies provide policyholders coverage for cancellation costs, medical costs, deportation costs and emergency cash needs, along with other coverage options. However, the important question is when to purchase travel insurance. Is there any ideal time to buy a travel plan?
The following article will provide answers to these questions, so continue reading to know all about the right time for buying a travel plan.
Table of Contents
When is The Best Time to Buy Travel Insurance?
The most appropriate time to purchase an international travel insurance policy is before your trip commences. Usually, there are two primary traveller types in the present-day world. A lot of people travel only 1-2 times a year, and others travel multiple times in one year.
Whether you travel for pleasure or work, you should consider buying a travel insurance policy for each trip. To answer your question – should I buy travel insurance when booking a flight? – is that you should purchase a travel policy right after you book a flight, as once your flight has been booked you can make the most of the travel policy in terms of benefits and coverage.
Reasons for Buying Travel Insurance Before Travel Date
Now that you know when to buy travel insurance, it is time to discuss the reasons for purchasing a travel plan before travelling.
- Owning a travel policy before your trip helps you keep all your important documents arranged in order.
- It is possible that you will be compelled to cancel the flight because of illness/injury, and your travel plan will reimburse you for the non-refundable expenses you make for the trip.
- Another reason to buy travel insurance is that you can select the date from which the policy starts and the date at which it ends. You have to make payment for only those days that you select.
- Again, if your trip is cancelled because of reasons that are out of your control, your travel plan will provide financial coverage for the loss you incur if you purchase the travel plan early.
Therefore, the answer to when is it too late to buy travel insurance? – is either mid-way through the journey or at the last minute before boarding your flight. This is because you will not receive coverage from your travel policy if your trip is cancelled and you have delayed purchasing the travel plan.
What to Look for When Buying Travel Insurance?
Here are some important points to note when looking for a travel policy:
- Check the Policy Coverage – Before you purchase a travel plan you should have a good idea of what it covers. Usually, a good travel plan, like the one from TATA AIG, provides coverage for flight cancellations, medical needs, lost baggage assistance, emergency evacuation, personal liability, etc.
- Read the Exclusions and Inclusions – It is a must to know the exclusions and inclusions of the travel policies. Look for a travel plan that comes with your needs in its inclusion, and make sure that you know the exclusions.
- Process of Claim Settlement – The claim settlement ratio of the insurance company should be high, and their claim settlement process should be quick and simple.
- Go Through Customer Reviews – Customer reviews speak a lot about the company and its credibility. It is important to read customer reviews to find out if the insurer is reliable.
Conclusion
Purchasing a travel policy is a simple process. Compare different travel plans online to find the most suitable policy, both in terms of budget and coverage. Finally, ensure that you purchase the travel plan as soon as you have purchased the flight tickets to enjoy the benefits that the travel insurance has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many days before you should buy a travel insurance policy?
Experts recommend purchasing a travel policy within two weeks (14 days) of booking flight tickets, or 14 days before the travel date.
- When should your travel insurance start?
Your travel insurance should start ideally after you have booked flight tickets and made reservations for accommodation. This allows you to get coverage for potential problems such as trip interruption or cancellation before your travel date.
- Why do you buy travel insurance?
You should consider buying travel insurance because it protects you financially from unexpected scenarios, like checked-in baggage loss or delay, trip cancellations/interruptions, personal liability, medical emergencies, and more.
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