Air Travel Insurance Buying Guide
While purchasing air travel insurance, consider the options for trip cancellation. Most policies will cover you for emergency health care expenses and flight cancellations. However, non-emergency cancellations are usually not covered by your policy, and these can cost anywhere from 20 to 50 percent of the total trip cost. In addition, prices can vary greatly depending on your age, with rates increasing dramatically as you get older. Children under the age of 18 are generally covered for no additional cost.
You’ll also need to know whether your policy covers you for lost baggage, medical expenses, or other costs associated with the trip. Some policies do not cover these fees, which can be $150 or more. Others only cover accidents on aircraft. You’ll also want to consider whether you’re travelling with family or friends.
If you choose flight insurance, you’ll need to have a copy of your travel insurance certificate available. You may also need evidence of a flight cancellation or delay. If your baggage is lost or damaged, you’ll need to show written confirmations of your accommodations and transportation providers. Depending on the type of policy, you’ll need to prove your loss in order to receive a claim.
Another important consideration is your country of residence. Certain policies cover certain countries only, so you may have to check your policy’s exclusions. You should also know whether your insurance covers activities that you’ll be participating in, like jet skiing. Some travel insurance policies exclude these activities, so you may need to purchase a specialized policy if you’re planning to do so. Also, you should check the coverage for emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation, as well as personal accident and liability coverage. Moreover, you should search for policies that provide 24-hour emergency assistance.
As you can see, air travel insurance policies can help you in many ways. Some plans cover your transportation to and from the airport, while others cover emergency dental and medical expenses. In addition, you can choose to add on baggage insurance to your homeowners policy if you want to protect your valuable possessions. It’s important to check your policy’s limitations, as the coverage may be limited if you’ve purchased expensive items.
Air travel insurance policies can also be bought through mobile apps. Blue Air, for instance, has an app that allows you to purchase coverage online. You can also purchase a policy from a company such as Chubb, which is the largest publicly-traded property and casualty insurer. The company provides commercial, personal, and supplemental health insurance, as well as life insurance. Its broad product and service offerings and global presence distinguish it from other insurance companies.
You can also change or cancel your travel insurance policy. When rescheduling your trip, you may have to adjust your travel insurance policy. In some cases, you may have to pay a small deductible or excess. If your trip is delayed, you can also make a claim through your XCover account. However, remember that you can’t make a change if you’ve already started your trip.