• Travel Insurance Blog

  • Friday, February 03, 2012



These days, international travel is gaining in popularity. It’s no longer just Mexico and Canada that people talk about when they say they’ve been abroad, it’s far-off places like China, Australia, and Europe. Everyone’s looking for the best experience for minimum cost, and unfortunately, travel insurance is sometimes the first casualty.

There is, however, no need to cut down on your safety to save a few bucks. Here are some tips to save money on travel. When traveling abroad, one of the major expenses is the airfare. Here’s where some creative thinking might come in useful.

If you live in Boston, for example, flights to nearby airports might have great deals, in order to attract some travelers. Airports within an hour of where you live are good airports to choose, especially if you can get friends to drop you off and pick you up.

Also, eschew airport parking if you’re traveling by yourself, or with one other person, especially for international trips. Often, hiring a cab to and from the airport, or even using an airport shuttle service one way will help cut costs.

Travel tip: If planning to drive home after an international trip, take into consideration that you will be tired and probably jet-lagged. If you’ve visited a country where the traffic’s on the left side of the road, you might also be a bit disoriented.


When traveling abroad, we sometimes fail to keep in mind local conditions, and naturally so. Travel insurance, however, will help us when the damage is real and the claim, genuine. Some travel insurance claims may simply seem unbelievable, but they are just examples of the unpredictability of travel.

One such claim was made by a couple whose only fault was that they left the window of their cottage open when they went out sightseeing. On returning, they found that their belongings were strewn all over the room, the resort, and the neighboring forest! They claimed for damages and got reimbursed so they didn’t have to spend a fortune on a new wardrobe.

Another man was just at the wrong place at the wrong time, literally. Relaxing on a beach in Sri Lanka, he certainly didn’t imagine a coconut would fall on his head, concussing him! Although unlucky with the vacation spot (literally), the man’s travel medical insurance paid him for the treatment he received for the same.

Obviously, many outlandish claims are also rejected, but it serves to remember that these travelers were otherwise healthy, and not prime candidates for any illness. Nor did they fall ill. Also, if you notice, travel insurance is probably the reason that they are able to look back at the incident and think of it as funny!

Travel tip: Whenever possible, document loss of belongings with a digital camera, if you have one, to strengthen your insurance claim.


In a recent trend, more young graduates are taking a year off before employment in what is called a “gap year” program. Commonly called “gapping,” the program is usually international, and involves an extended stay and work in areas that are in need of help. When students travel for their gap year experience, one thing they must always keep in mind is international travel insurance.

A gap year is seen not just as a year off to cool off, but a year that can provide a young mind with focus, perspective, and valuable skills on the job. However, ever too often, the young ignore health insurance when they are healthy, and regret it when they fall ill.

If you are considering taking a gap year off, remember a few things about the insurance you would want. You want to purchase insurance at the same time as you are placed in the gap year program, or buy tickets. In that case, you are covered even if your plans don’t quite pan out.

Also remember to be completely forthright in your insurance application. If you withhold information and care caught out, you will not be reimbursed even a penny! Some gap year programs are medical in nature. Even so, you might not be eligible for free medical care at your facility—check before you decide to forego any kind of insurance!

Travel tip: When traveling as part of a gap year program, ensure that all your insurance documents are copied, and have one copy with your program manager, and one copy with you.


The hottest international destination this year? You may even have trouble placing it on a map, but New Zealand is where the action is this year. If a visit to New Zealand in on the cards this year, remember that the healthcare system in New Zealand is a bit different than the U.S. healthcare system. As always, remember to add travel insurance to your to-do list.

Visitors to New Zealand will have to organize their own funds for medical treatment of illnesses, and are strongly advised to come armed with adequate international travel insurance. If you have prescription medication with you, be sure to also bring the doctor’s prescription, to avoid customs hassles.

While traveling within New Zealand is not too dangerous—there are no snakes or poisonous animals in the wild—certain parasites are known to cause diarrhea. Also, sunburn is a common complaint of those visitors seeking treatment in the country.

However, the country has an accident compensation scheme that covers injuries sustained due to an accident, even for visitors. Medical expenses are covered, but no compensation is offered for trip cancellation or disability to work due to the accident. You might want to consider plans that offer this coverage.

Travel tip: When traveling in New Zealand, always remember to have a bottle of sun block handy. The sun affects your skin more in New Zealand and in Australia than in the northern hemisphere.

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