1. Always take out adequate travel insurance
When looking for travel insurance, don’t always default to the cheapest policy. Talk to your broker to make sure that your coverage is inclusive of any holiday activities you might be planning such as scuba diving or skiing. Hazardous, high-risk or adventurous activities like skydiving or rock climbing might not be covered so it's important to know the details before you purchase.
2. Know your health conditions and ask questions
The cost of your insurance policy is typically based on your age, the type of coverage you choose, the duration and cost of your trip, and depending on the policy and your age, your health.
Any time you are asked about your health conditions, it is important that you provide accurate information. Unlike other types of insurance, your answers are only verified if and when you have a claim. This means that if you provided inaccurate information on your application, you won't know until your claim is being denied. It's not worth spending the money on travel medical insurance if you aren't going to provide correct and complete information at the time of application. If you are unsure about how to answer, it is always recommended that you consult your physician for assistance. At the end of the day, it's the information contained in your GP's records that will be used to verify the accuracy of your medical application.
3. Read your policy carefully – INCLUDING THE SMALL PRINT
We get it, with all the excitement surrounding your upcoming holiday, reading over your policy doesn't sound very appealing. It is however, one of the most important things you can do to ensure you get your money's worth out of your policy should you need to use it.
Remember - your travel insurance is a contract between you and the insurer. You are expected to have read all of the terms and conditions and be aware of any exclusions to coverage. Make use of your broker and ask questions as they relate to your situation or if you are unclear about what you've read in your policy wording. Some people don’t realize until it is too late that their travel insurance won’t cover them for certain activities or geographical areas or pre-existing medical conditions. Unfortunately, saying you 'didn't know' is not likely to get your claim approved if it's been spelled out in the details.
4. Take your policy documents away with you
You already know that you should keep your policy card in your wallet, but we also recommend taking the booklet containing the policy wording along as well. This ensures that should anything happen while you're away, say for example you crack a tooth, you'll know right away that you can visit a dentist and it will be covered.
5. Do your best to call as soon as possible in the event of a claim
If you need to decide between calling 911 (or the local equivalent) or the claims department, always go with the first option. However, if the situation is not life-threatening, do your best to call as soon as possible. This is beneficial to you in a few ways. First, the claims agent can find you the nearest hospital or clinic to get you immediate treatment. They also do their best to find provider in their network to make arranging payments easier and also means it's less likely you'll have to pay out of pocket. Lastly, it gives the claims department the opportunity to review and approve treatment so that you aren't left with any surprises should something not be covered under your policy.
Finally, remember to enjoy your holiday knowing you are properly protected if something goes wrong!
Talk to us about your travel insurance today!
If you’d like to learn more about your options, please give us a call at 1-800-679-2640 Ext 602 or visit our Travel Insurance page.