Travel Insurance Tips - Part II

Continuing from Travel Insurance Tips - Part I, we explore the final six tips to help maximise the chances of making a fully successful travel insurance claim.

7. Always travel with the paperwork. Nobody can predict when a car crash might occur, reckless taxi drivers, even organised coach trips have known to resulted in tragic incidents. Carrying the documents everywhere will help in an emergency; for example to progress medical treatment in countries which require some evidence of insurance.
   
    
8. Get written confirmation of lost luggage. If suitcases and baggage arrives gets delayed, becomes damaged between the departure and arrival airports, or does not arrive at all; then written confirmation comes in the form of a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). This details the luggage condition and status reported, and becomes a very important reference in subsequent correspondence with either the airport baggage handlers, or the travel insurance company.
   
    
9. Remove unnecessary insurance. What sounds like an unhelpful decision could actually save money! A general assumption is to get covered for as much and as cheap as possible. But an informed tip is to ask the insurer to remove the elements of cover not required. For example; Scuba diving? Skiing? Not all will agree to a cheaper price but it is easier to succeed when the elements are clear components, such as winter sports cover.
   
    
10. Get official reports. Wherever there is an interaction with the authorities, document this. If reporting a crime or theft, get a Police crime reference or Police report. If dealing with medical services, note the instances and details. Keep a personal record of facts, dates, times, and supporting evidence, which will strengthen any future insurance claim.
    
     
11. Submit everything! Take copies of all evidence acquired and present it in a methodical compilation. If in doubt; include it in the application claim. It is crucial to have a personal copy while sending the primary copy to the insurer's claims department by courier or by a recorded method.
    
     
12. Don't be fobbed off. Fundamentally all travel insurance providers run a business for profit, as such, income must be greater than expenditure. Sometimes sneaky tactics are employed to prevent customers' easy access to their entitlement. These might include long delays in correspondence, requesting additional evidence, and declining the first claim. Keep trying, and if necessary consult or complain to the industry body.

Technorati tags; travel insurance, travel insurance policy, advice and tips, making a claim.

Travel Insurance Tips - Part I

Travel insurance is such a minor fraction of any trip's overall cost yet it can provide the most important assistance and financing when things go wrong abroad.

With all insurers guaranteeing travellers millions in health protection and medical cover, travel insurance is a small product offering a big amount of protection.

But why do policy holders sometimes face problems with completing the insurance process? The biggest cause is often with the customer's lack of familiarity with their specific policy details, so let's now consider twelve tips in two parts to empower readers buying travel insurance.

1. Is travel in the USA included? Adding this element of cover to travel insurance has a skyrocketing effect on price. A good tip is to remove this element if it is definitely not needed.
   
   
2. Are the excess levels competitive? This one usually bites people returning from their trip when they go to make a claim and read the policy document or the first time! To their surprise they find that an honest claim of $100 lost or stolen cash is going to cost them $70 in fees, admin, and insurance excesses. It is wise to find out what these costs will be, and whether they apply per claim or per category claimed.
   
   
3. Read the small print before purchasing. All the good insurers have a link to a PDF download or separate page detailing the specific policy clauses. Reading this will shed light on precisely what can and can't be claimed, and what information the insurer requires in order to process the claim successfully.
   
   
4. Declare all known medical conditions. Even apparently insignificant ones! The quote will be calculated based on several factors, age being a major one, and current level of health is another. Failure to declare information which is later considered to be a part of any medical treatments received, will likely void the entire claim. Which is not desirable news after being airlifted by MEDEVAC helicopter for $50,000!
   
   
5. Keep all receipts! When it comes to recovering costs from a travel insurance policy, receipts really strengthen the claim. Examples include receipts of valuables taken on holiday plus electronic items such as iPods, netbooks, laptops. The same goes for jewellery and expensive clothes; anything bought before or during the trip is worthwhile keeping.
   
   
6. Stay sober! Many incidents occur under the influence of alcohol and insurance companies are well rehearsed in declining these claims which arise out of personal carelessness. The best way is to avoid the circumstances which precipitate so many unnecessary injuries, thefts, and losses.
   

Technorati tags; travel insurance, travel insurance policy, advice & tips, making a claim.

Travel Advice Video

A quick video guide with information for travellers, on how to avoid medical problems on holiday and circumvent other travel difficulties.

Covering a host of big issues which every traveller should consider:

• Airline travel
• Drinking water
• Driving abroad
• Foreign animals
  
• Travel Insurance

This guide includes only the basic topics, but is a good starting point of awareness for the inexperienced traveller:






Some may perceive the above travel advice video as an unwelcome reminder of the risk apparent when venturing abroad. Many would simply prefer to wish away those risks and get on with having an enjoyable and memorable holiday.

However, despite the alarmist style, the content is elementally well-serving, particularly before planning a first trip away.

For more detailed information, consult the pages of Travel Insurance Insider and find specific articles on travel insurance for students.

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1. Medical Travel Insurance

Technorati tags; travel advice, video.