It is wise to take out travel insurance to protect against unforeseen events during a trip abroad, as it can cover medical expenses, flight cancellations, lost luggage, and provide assistance in case of emergency.
Abroad, any unexpected health issue can quickly become very expensive. Breaking a leg, catching a bad flu, or needing dental emergency care can happen quickly and add up just as fast. Some countries charge very high rates for medical care for foreigners, and without travel insurance, the bill comes straight out of your pocket. With good coverage, you can relax: medical expenses, hospitalization, and even sometimes prescribed medications are covered. No need to stress about your wallet while on vacation.
Taking out travel insurance helps avoid losing all your money if you have to cancel your trip at the last minute due to a serious unforeseen event (serious illness, accident, or death of a loved one, or other similar issues). It also reimburses you for the unused portion of the trip if you have to return home urgently during your vacation. In both cases, you recover a good portion of what you would have paid otherwise without ever benefiting from it. This way, you prevent your ruined vacation from also becoming a financial disaster.
Your luggage can easily disappear, be stolen, or get damaged. Travel insurance generally covers these unexpected events and reimburses the value of your lost or damaged belongings. For example, a suitcase lost at the airport or a broken camera during a bus trip can quickly become expensive. With this protection, there’s no need to struggle financially: you can replace or repair your items without emptying your wallet. Some insurances even cover immediate expenses such as buying replacement clothing, so your vacation doesn't turn into a nightmare.
No one is immune to accidentally causing property damage or bodily harm to someone else while abroad. If you damage rented equipment, inadvertently injure someone, or cause damage in your vacation rental, the costs can add up quickly. Travel insurance often includes liability coverage to protect you in these situations. The same goes for legal fees: a dispute or a wrongful accusation can arise faster than you might think. Good insurance will cover lawyer fees and any legal expenses incurred to defend you. Without it, sorting out all this mess by yourself can often prove very complicated and expensive.
When you travel abroad, you can hardly anticipate a medical emergency or a serious event. With travel insurance, if you become ill or have an accident in a foreign country, you quickly have access to a 24/7 assistance hotline ready to arrange appropriate care. In the case of a serious situation requiring immediate return, medical repatriation is covered: ambulance, air ambulance, early return home, everything is included. It saves you from having to manage complicated or costly procedures on your own when you're already in a stressful situation, and above all, it really reassures your loved ones. The transportation costs for the person accompanying you are also often included, so you don’t find yourself alone in a tough situation.
In some countries like the United States or Canada, a simple medical consultation can cost several hundred euros without appropriate travel insurance.
In the event of an unexpected cancellation due to illness or a major event, travel insurance typically allows you to recover a significant portion of the amounts already spent.
The credit card sometimes includes limited travel insurance. However, it usually only covers expenses if the entire trip is paid for with that same card, and the limits may be insufficient to fully cover your unexpected events.
Travel insurance can also cover expenses related to terrorist acts or natural disasters, events that are often excluded from standard insurance provided with certain credit cards.
Report the incident immediately to the local authorities (police, transportation service) in order to obtain a report. Then, contact your insurance as soon as possible to initiate the compensation process.
Travel insurance typically offers coverage for cancellations due to medical reasons, serious family issues, or professional obligations. However, cancellations purely due to a change of personal opinion without specific justification are generally not covered unless a special guarantee is purchased. Be sure to check the details of the reasons covered by your policy.
The purchase of travel insurance is generally not legally required, except for certain countries such as Cuba, Russia, or China. However, it is strongly recommended to travel with peace of mind and to be financially prepared for unexpected events.
Clearly identify your priorities based on your destination, your health status, the planned activities (extreme sports, trekking, etc.), as well as the duration of your stay. Then, choose a transparent insurance policy with coverage limits that are appropriate for your needs.
It depends on the contracts and the insurers. Most travel insurance policies now offer specific coverage that includes medical expenses related to COVID-19. Always check the specific terms before purchasing.
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