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When taking out travel insurance and prior to departure:
- make sure that you understand what you are covered and not covered for;
- make sure that the selected cover option is adequate and meets with your specific requirements or expectations;
- make sure that you clearly understand the procedure for the making of a claim in the event of a misfortune
- carefully read through your policy documents and ask questions if you are not sure of something
- make copies of everything to keep in a safe place and to advise a responsible person where to find such copies in the event of an emergency.
A basic travel insurance policy should provide cover for the cost of medical treatment, lost baggage, cancellation and curtailment of travel arrangements, accidental death and personal liability. There are a few options to choose from being it for leisure or business travel and each option has their own limits, extensions and exclusions. It is always best to take out travel insurance through your personal insurance broker or travel agency as more options would be available to you through them.
Here are a few explanations by TIC (Travel Insurance Consultants) of some important benefits of their products:
Medical and Related Expenses:
Provides cover in the event of a medical emergency, including payment of doctors’ bills, hospital expenses, medication costs, emergency transportation, visit by a family member, repatriation expenses as well as the transmission of urgent messages. The inclusion of 24 hour emergency assistance services is automatic on all products.
Pre-Existing Medical Cover:
Provides pre-existing illness medical cover if the insured person is hospitalized for longer than 48 hours. This benefit insures all passengers up to the age of 69 and includes medical transportation, repatriation and evacuation cover as well as insurance for the burial, cremation or the return of mortal remains.
Journey Cancellation or Curtailment:
If your journey is cancelled as a result of a sudden illness, an unexpected death or the death of someone close to you, the theft of travel documents, or unforeseen strike, riot or civil commotion, or any other traumatic event before departure, you will be reimbursed for the travel and accommodation arrangements. The same would apply if the journey were curtailed for the same reason. The premium is based on the duration of the journey and therefore cancellation cover becomes effective as soon as the travel insurance policy is purchased.
Replacement Airfare:
If the insured person suffers a medical emergency while travelling and is forced to return home or is hospitalized with 50% of their journey outstanding, he/she will be reimbursed for the cost of an economy class airfare so that he/she can undertake a new journey when well again.
Accidental Death and Disablement:
In the event of an accidental death, the next of kin will be compensated with a lump sum. This benefit also provides a lump sum in the event of a total permanent disablement.
Luggage Cover:
This benefit provides cover in the event of luggage and personal effects being lost or stolen.
Personal Liability:
Provides cover in the event of the insured person being held legally liable for accidental damage or loss whilst on the journey. It pays for costs made against the insurer as well as legal costs.
Please note: The above information is just a summary of some of the covers. For more information or to find out about important exclusions like motor cycling, hazardous pursuits, sports extensions, pregnancy after 26 weeks, manual labour, etc., speak to the people who can assist you to put a travel insurance policy together to best suit your requirements.
Looking for professional service and advice on your short term commercial or domestic insurances, please do not hesitate to contact Cheryl or Mandy @ 012 664-6174
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