Pros and Cons of Travel Insurance

Is travel insurance really necessary?? It depends on where you?re traveling, for how long, what you?ll be doing.? It also depends on your tolerance for risk.? You need to consider what might happen, and then decide if you?re adequately covered if such a thing does happen.? Travel insurance policies are designed to protect you from things that can, and do, happen to travelers.? It can be costly, but ask anyone who?s had something happen while vacationing, and they?ll tell you they are glad they had it.?

But it?s up to you.? To get you thinking, here are some pros and cons of travel insurance.

Probably the most important benefit of travel insurance is medical coverage.? Most health plans have restrictions on coverage when you?re traveling.? If you, or someone in your family, gets sick or injured while traveling, you want access to proper medical care and treatment.? Depending on where you are vacationing, your options could be limited.? It may be necessary for you to be transported to another facility that can provide treatment.? The costs can really add up.

Another benefit is being covered for natural disasters.? Have you noticed the rise in frequency and magnitude of hurricanes and tornadoes in the United States?? Are you going to a country that could experience an earthquake, or a catastrophic flood?? What about terrorism and political upheaval?? The chances may be remote, but what if a situation does occur, and you need to get out of that country?? Travel insurance can help you make arrangement for an early departure, and get you reimbursed for your canceled vacation.

Finally, travel insurance covers your for the loss or theft of personal property, beginning with loss baggage.? You have to admit, this is something that happens all the time, and usually at the worse possible times.? By filing a simple claim, you can be reimbursed for lost items, get assistance with your credit cards and passport, and have medication replaced.

So what about the cons?

Naturally, there are good travel insurance providers, and bad ones.? The bad ones will entice you to buy coverage you don?t need, and may not tell you about requirements you must satisfy to be covered.? One common situation with most insurers is that you need to contact them before you receive any medical treatment.? It?s common to file a claim, and get some kind of approval, even with a good company.? The trick is to make sure you know what is required.

Another common complaint is a company that tells you to pay your medical costs upfront and then submit a claim to be reimbursed.? If a travel insurance agent tells you this, tell that agent you are not interested in purchasing their policy.? And move on to another company.

Lastly, some representatives are not necessarily well-versed in customer service.? This is something you should be able to judge from the sales representative.? If you are still not sure, make a call to claims number and ask questions.? If you sense negativity, move on to another company.

There are good providers.? Keep looking until you find one.

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