• 27
  Nov
  2009

• Smile for Your Camera: It Has Insurance

  
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When you see your $1,000 top-of-the-line, all features loaded camera dangling off a cliff when your son’s trying to become the next National Geographic star, it’s only natural that thoughts of your travel insurance appear uninvited. So, does your international travel insurance cover your camera?

The answer really is in the type of insurance you get. Some plans may offer it as an optional rider, but most international travel medical insurance plans only cover loss of items by a common carrier. That is, if the airline loses your baggage, and if your camera was in it, the loss is covered.

You may already have personal items insurance, renter’s insurance, or homeowner’s insurance that will cover your personal effects, but ensure that the coverage applies even if you travel overseas. Also remember that if you end up making a claim on a lost camera through your renter’s insurance, your premium may increase.

The best option is to check which plans offer the benefit using an online comparison site, and purchasing the extra coverage, if needed, as an additional rider. If you lose your camera to theft, ensure that you have the police report to attach with your claim. Of course, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Travel tip: Always hang your camera around your neck when in use, and the camera bag, across your shoulder.

• 24
  Nov
  2009

• On a Mission with Appropriate Insurance

  
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It is a common misconception that missionary insurance is only valid for Christian ministers traveling on missionary work. Several plans offer the plan to other travelers—those doing humanitarian work, those affiliated with other religions, and sometimes, even to travelers who are looking for specific coverage that missionary insurance provides.

Missionary insurance usually has better coverage than regular short-term travel insurance, and is meant for longer periods. Short-term missionary insurance plans are very similar to regular travel insurance plans. If the trip is expected to last for more than a year, long-term missionary insurance is best. Long-term insurance might require a medical certificate.

Long-term missionary insurance follows a plan holder along his/her missions, and coverage is also available in the home country. Most missionary insurance offers 100% coverage (no co-pay) for medical care obtained outside the home country.

Pregnancy and scheduled physician visits are covered under most long-term missionary insurance plans, after a specified waiting period. One other benefit in missionary insurance plans—coverage for medical care related to mental health and substance abuse—may seem counter-intuitive, but it is true that most non-profit workers, similar to war veterans, are susceptible to mental health issues.

• 17
  Nov
  2009

• International Travel insurance – Estimating the cost

  
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The cost of buying an international travel insurance plan depends on a variety of factors. It depends on the type of plan you choose – individual, family or group travel insurance plans, single-trip and multi-trip policies and so on.

In addition, the premium amount varies based on the age of the primary insured member, pre-existing medical conditions, services or coverage benefits that you opt for, period of enrolment under a single plan, deductibles and waiting period of that plan and a lot of other criteria that determines the premium rates.

The international travel insurance plan premiums also vary between different insurance providers and hence, you can browse the internet and get the different policies and the quotes by filling in your details in a policy comparison search engine.

Typically, you can estimate the cost of the international travel insurance plan to fall into 5 – 7 % bracket of the cost of the total trip. For instance, if you plan an abroad trip for about $5000, assuming you purchase trip cancellation benefit, you may incur an insurance premium expense of $250 to $350. You can save on the the premium amount by buying high deductibles plans.

• 16
  Nov
  2009

• Baggage insurance – Claiming damaged or lost baggage

  
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If your baggage is damaged, stolen or lost at the airport during your travel, here are some immediate steps to take which would be useful for filing claims at a later stage.

As a first step, you should never under-insure your baggage.

If you are taking any expensive items, do take pictures of it in your digital camera

Notify the airline office immediately of your baggage loss and ensure that you get a receipt attested by the baggage handler or the airline authorities

Call up your insurance provider and record a complaint. Note down the complaint number and name of the person whom you spoke to

When you want to file the claims, go through the small print of your international travel insurance policy carefully and look out for any procedures highlighted for filing claims of lost baggage

Prepare the necessary documentation to prove the worth of valuables. It could be the bills or receipts that you may have stored. Do not forget to send the receipt that you have received from the airlines

Keep a photocopy of all the documentation that you have sent to the insurance company in case it may be required for reference in the future