Worst-case Scenarios - How Travel Insurance Can Help During Extreme Situations

The 21st century is a dream come true for travels. Gone are the days when only the very rich could afford to travel, and only if they had weeks or months to spare for the planning. In this day and age, no matter what corner of the globe you wish to explore or what you dream of doing once you arrive there, all you need is to pick up the phone or open your laptop and you’re on your way.

Advancements in transport technology, real-time communications, cooperation among airlines and travel-related service providers, and the advent of insurance policies for travel, whether multiple or single trip travel insurance, have ensured cheaper, safer, faster, and more comfortable travel in near-miraculous ways. It protects you from financial loss in the event of cancellations or property. More importantly, it gives you protection and a wider set of options in the event of real crises - such as natural disasters or medical emergencies. Listed below are some examples of extreme situations and worst-case scenarios and wherein a good policy can help.

Illnesses

Sudden illness is always worrying, more so if you are in a foreign country. Ideally, you would have done your research and gotten the necessary and recommended vaccinations - not to mention followed basic common sense such as drinking bottled water and wearing appropriate clothing for the climate. However, exposure to unfamiliar pathogens or unpredictable medical conditions such as appendicitis is always a possibility. Most health insurance policies only provide coverage in the country where they are purchased, and one of the worst things that can happen during a sudden illness is to find that you do not have medical coverage; especially in less-developed countries, some hospitals will not treat people without health and medical cover. In the case of sudden illness, that single trip travel insurance policy you purchased can not only help you get immediate medical treatment, but cover the medical fees incurred during your stay in the hospital. Depending on your policy, it can also cover losses in the event that the illness requires you to cut your trip short.

Accidents

Getting into legal entanglements in a foreign country can be a nightmare, so be sure to be very vigilant in following local laws, especially when driving or in public spaces. As with a sudden illness, a good policy is crucial in the event of an accident with regards to getting emergency medical treatment and covering the incurred medical fees. But more importantly, depending on your policy, it can help protect against liability in the event of injury or property damage.

Attacks

With the advent of real-time news reporting and communications, getting caught in the middle of a terrorist attack is improbable if you have done your research. More than likely, a terrorist attack can affect your plans in that your home or destination country will issue travel bans or warnings, effectively cancelling your trip. A simple single trip travel insurance policy can protect you against financial loss in such an event. In the extremely unlikely event that you care caught up in an actual terrorist attack, an evacuation and repatriation clause or acts of terrorism clause in your single trip travel insurance will be imperative in getting you home safely as soon as possible – so if in doubt, do check the fine print.

Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of Insuremore. We provide low cost travel insurance and offer a range of policies including single trip travel insurance, annual, multi-trip and family cover. For all your travel cover needs, Insuremore can help you in the quickest and most cost-efficient way.