Having travel insurance remains the only way within your control to make your vacations hassle-free. This is one reason why your tour operator is begging you to sign up for one and not because you are being sold short on a holiday break you have been planning all year long.  

There are many similar tour groups that offer cheap travel insurance with affordable packages. Finding the right one that fits your needs, however, is easier said than done.  Having definite plans on how you’ll be spending your break will make the selection easier. All policies have limits and exclusions to their coverage and some might not allow some activities in your itinerary. Here are some of the fine prints you need to spot before you book your flights. 

1.       Find out if there is an upper age limit on your policy. Most insurance coverages apply up to a certain age, usually at 60 or 65 years. Still, some insurance companies offer specific plans for senior clients. The premiums, however, are pricier for such special products.

2.       Check if your insurance is valid in your chosen destinations. Most policies have exclusions for certain countries, particularly politically unstable ones.

3.       Another important detail is the duration of coverage. Ensure that even a temporary and cheap insurance can cover you during the entire period of your travel.

4.       If you are lugging a lot of expensive equipment, you might want to have these covered as well. Electronic devices and jewellery are generally exceptions in usual policies but you may purchase supplemental coverage to the full value of such and other items.

5.       Standard types of insurance cover mainly emergency medical assistance, but many do not provide coverage abroad.  Review your medical history too as some policies have exclusion against certain pre-existing medical conditions, and you might have to avail additional health coverage.

Most insurance policies specifically do not cover vaccine-preventable diseases you might contract while travelling. So have your shots taken beforehand, preferably two weeks to a month before your departure.

6.       If you intend to perform high risk activities such as base jumping, crocodile rodeo, and joining a beer drinking competition, make sure these are specifically included in your plan. Basically, whatever activity you have in mind should be in black and white.

7.       You may want to include a trip cancellation insurance that will reimburse you for the pre-paid non-refundable trip. This benefit covers cancellations caused by death, injury or illness, natural disasters, traffic accidents, terrorism or mandatory evacuations, and bankruptcy in the part of a pre-paid travel supplier. Those not included are those due to labor strikes, a traveller’s business or contractual obligation, loss caused by psychological disorders, or any event that occurs prior to the effective date of your policy.