TRAVEL-SAVVY Malaysians today go all over the country to the various resorts as well as to other countries. There is nothing like visiting new places to broaden our minds and have fun at the same time.But no matter how exciting travel may be, there are still certain precautions we should take as we will be stepping into new and unfamiliar places. A good way to protect yourself should you encounter problems that crop up during your travels is to buy travel insurance. Over the next five weeks, we will be giving you tips on travel insurance, from choosing a policy to making insurance claims. We start by telling you why you should purchase travel insurance and how to go about it.
Why Buy?
While travel can be an exciting proposition, there could be situations where things may go wrong and travellers find themselves needing, for example, urgent medical assistance, help with replacing lost luggage or assistance with making an urgent trip home. Travel insurance is designed to protect you and your family against travel-related accidents, losses or interruptions. Always include travel insurance as part of your travel budget and enjoy peace of mind.Insurance is essential. Not ensuring you are safely covered on your vacation is a matter of being penny wise, pound foolish. Do not think “it won’t happen to me” – especially if you are planning an adventure-filled vacation.
Choosing A Policy
First, make sure the policy you intend to buy covers those countries you plan to visit and that it is for the full period of travel. It also helps if the insurance is recognised internationally or at least in the countries you are visiting. Make sure that your insurance company has a good network of foreign affiliates who can provide you with the assistance you may need. Many insurers provide worldwide assistance services. Check whether your insurance company provides you with a hotline number for emergency assistance in multiple languages in travel advice, emergency messages and medical referral. If you are travelling with your family, make sure everyone is included in the policy. Most policies will specify who qualifies as a member of the family under the insurance cover. If you have a medical history, it is important that you tell your insurer. You may invalidate your policy if you fail to disclose what is commonly known as a “pre-existing condition” to your insurer at the time of proposing for travel insurance. Like all purchases, you usually get what you pay for, so do not compare the prices only; take into account the benefits and the exclusions of the cover. If you intend to take part in extreme activities like winter sports, mountaineering, bungee jumping or scuba diving, check the policy as most standard policies will not provide such cover. You may want to discuss with your insurer on the possibility of extending the policy to cover such activities.
Source : NST Online ~ Travel Tips
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