Meta description: Don’t make these mistakes, and you’ll save yourself thousands and fly away with peace of mind.
Whether you’re jet-setting across the globe or flying to neighboring countries, Indians love to plan their international travel. Flights are booked and cancelled countless times, visas are obtained, and the perfect outfits are packed. However, when it comes to travel insurance, it’s often quickly purchased with little thought, seen as a mere formality before you jet off on your vacation. This mindset can change your dream holiday into a nightmare that costs you thousands. With international health care costs rising through the roof, buying travel insurance should be considered part of your travel budget.
Not only is trip insurance often needed to obtain your visa, but it can also literally save you thousands. Before reserving your flight, ensure you read through your policy. Here are many common blunders you should avoid to get the best Comprehensive Travel Insurance for 70 – 79 years.
1. Purchasing cover purely based on cost
Erring on the side of the cheapest plan is the worst thing you can do. Low-cost plans come with low coverage caps, which aren’t anywhere near enough if you require medical attention in an expensive country like the US, Canada, or any European nation where expenses can run to thousands of dollars overnight (a night’s stay in a hospital can cost upwards of USD 10,000/Rs 8 Lakhs). Zero in on plans that provide robust medical coverage of USD 250,000 (Rs 2 Crore) or more.
2. Insisting on medical evacuation costs
One thing that people often do not consider when looking at plans for Travel Medical Insurance is medical evacuation. If you suffer an injury that’s serious while traveling through vast terrains and require transportation via air ambulance to a nearby city or returning to India. The cost of air evacuation can exceed 100,000 (Rs 80 Lakhs).
In the event that your plan has a limit at a lower level for this essential insurance, it could leave you with a huge difference. Make sure you choose a plan with a large limit or unlimited Medical evacuation benefits.
3. Concealing Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Insurance companies routinely deny pre-existing health ailments (diabetes or hypertension, cardiovascular problems, and so on) so that they don’t raise the cost of their insurance. When you make an insurance claim or are hospitalized in another country due to an unidentified medical condition, the insurance company is required to investigate. If they find evidence of your undisclosed condition, they’ll deny your entire claim, which invalidates your Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions policy precisely when you need it.
4. Missing The Small Print On Lost Luggage
The majority of policies provide coverage for lost baggage, but many Indians do not observe two major exclusions:
- Caps on Claims: Your insurance policy could provide up to $1000 (Rs 83,000) in case of lost luggage; however, it’s only 50 dollars (Rs 4,150)or 100 (Rs 8300) per item. Therefore, your brand-new camera/snazzy bag will not be covered.
- Jewellery, laptops, and professional camera equipment often need additional riders or specialised insurance.
5. Not Considering Adventure/Sports Exclusions
Are you planning to go on a skiing, bungee jumping, or mountaineering vacation? Beware if you think that your Travel Insurance for Seniors above 80 Years covers your injuries when doing these activities. Most policies exclude cover for accidents caused by “dangerous pursuits” or “adventure sports”. If you are planning a high-octane holiday, you will need to buy an extra add-on or adventure sports package.
6. Expecting Trip Cancellation to Cover the Wrong Reasons
Trip cancellation benefit will only payout if you cancel your holiday for a specified reason (e.g., sudden illness, bereavement, or a covered natural disaster). Many non-covered reasons to cancel a trip, like worrying your destination may be unsafe due to war/zombie outbreaks, changing jobs, or your visa being refused, are NOT covered. Check your policy wording covers all the reasons you think you may need to cancel.
7. Purchasing too early or too late
Buying your policy too late may disqualify you from trip cancellation coverage, as most plans require the policy be in effect when your initial travel expenses are made. Buying a policy too early without knowing your exact visa receipt date and final dates can create administrative headaches down the road. It’s recommended that you wait until you’ve made your initial, non-refundable trip payment before buying your policy.
Final Thoughts
It’s an investment, not a cost. By comparing benefits, submitting the conditions you have, and knowing what’s not covered, can secure your finances and be sure that your health care is free of stress.
