WITH the fear of Coronavirus instilled in our minds, most of us have been staying indoors since the time lockdown restrictions were first imposed. Although no-commute guidelines were meant for public benefit, it had created a dullness on the roads and in the sky. Now that the count of COVID-19 cases has reduced over time, national and international skies are opening up again for transit.
If you are making plans to fly abroad in the time ahead, buying traveler’s insurance should be one of your top priorities. Particularly if you have the elderly accompanying you on the trip, it is crucial to purchase travel insurance for senior citizens to travel abroad.
There are many reasons why buying traveler’s insurance is worth it during the COVID pandemic.
- Coverage for Flight Delays or Cancellation
When you travel to a foreign country, flight cancelation or delays might impact your plans severely. The harm it causes can be even bigger at the time when you are returning from the trip. It is because you will need to arrange for accommodation and other expenses for an uncertain time.
Traveler’s insurance, in general, covers flight delays or cancelation. Take the case of Tata AIG International Travel Guard plan under which you can get additional expenses reimbursed if the flight gets delayed for more than 12 hours. It solves many problems that may arise otherwise for not being able to stay back in a foreign land on financial grounds.
- Medical Cover
Healthcare emergencies can occur anytime, without us being aware of the outcome. Lack of preparedness for such emergencies often results in a financial burden, especially when you are not in your homeland. Under traveler’s insurance, you will be compensated for the treatment incurred on account of sickness or injury during the foreign trip.
Many travel insurance providers are now following strict guidelines related to medical cover during COVID times. In most cases, medical expenses related to COVID-19 treatment are covered but only if it leads to emergency hospitalization. You should check the COVID-related terms of these plans before you buy any of them.
- Accidental Death
A health crisis can also lead to accidental death during a foreign trip. While you cannot predict such eventualities, you can stay prepared for them with a suitable traveler’s insurance plan. In case of accidental death, the insurance provider pays the principal sum, as defined in the policy document.
You should know that there is a specific limit to the compensation one can get under such events. You are allowed to increase this limit or opt for a higher sum assured voluntarily. Check with the insurer about further details in this aspect.
What Else Should You Know While Buying Travel Insurance During COVID?
- Isolation or self-quarantine in a foreign land may not be covered under traveler’s insurance. If the health experts would advise isolation to you, you have to incur the related costs.
- Travel insurance providers may ask you about the recent travel history or exposure to a COVID-19 patient to decide on offering the policy. Also, the current COVID-19 situation in the destination land you are traveling to may impact the insurance premium. Insurance companies could also avoid selling travel insurance for some specific countries where the risk of Coronavirus infection is high.
- It is crucial to check traveler’s insurance exclusions related to pre-existing conditions in the policy document carefully, particularly for travel insurance for senior citizens to travel abroad. This will help you avoid any hassle at the time of settling claims.