Shopping For Visitors Insurance

Looking for international travel insurance? Sadly, so few realize their need for travelers insurance; mistakenly assuming that their health insurance policy will cover medical expenses incurred while they are traveling abroad. If you are searching for visitor medical insurance, you are ahead of the game!

In your search for international travel insurance, here are a few things you might want to know.

Not all Insurance Companies are Equal

* It is important to shop around for visitor medical insurance. There are numerous companies that offer insurance products for international travelers, so choose the one that best suits your needs.

* Look for a company that has a good reputation. Read consumer reviews and customer testimonials online. You can take this one step further by asking those you know if they have ever purchased visitors insurance. If they have, they can share their experience with you.

* When choosing an insurance company, consider one that allows you great flexibility in developing your policy. By nature, visitors insurance policies are highly customizable and you will be able to choose your premium and deductible as well as spectrum of coverage.

* Search for a company that specializes in selling products to individuals from your country. Finding a company that specializes in insurance to your specific country of origin helps you to know that they will be skilled in providing quality customer service to you. Finding the right company to deal with is important. Without the right company, you may risk running into road blocks in the event that you need to use your policy.

* Look for the best price. Most of the time you can get a quote simply by filling out some basic information about your trip on an online application form. This allows you to compare prices and review feedback on several companies.

Choose the Policy that Best Suits your Needs

* How much coverage do you really need? Fortunately, most policies allow you to choose the amount of coverage as you create your policy. Consider the options before making your final decision. There may only be a small difference between a lot of coverage and a little. Then again, you may only need very minimum coverage. The point is, get the coverage you need.

* How long are you planning to travel? Make sure that you purchase a policy that will provide coverage for the entirety of your trip. Have the policy written to cover the amount of time you will be traveling, as well as for the correct dates. Find out what the insurance company's protocol is should your plans change. What happens if your travel plans change, or if your flight gets delayed? Be sure to communicate with your company if things do change. If you communicate with them, they will usually work with you to meet your circumstances.

* Do you want a high or a low deductible? Visitor medical insurance will offer you the choice to set your deductible. If you think it is highly unlikely that you will use your policy, it is generally a good idea to go with a high deductible. However, if you are going on a long-term trip, the chances of having to use your policy increases, so you may want to consider a lower deductible.

International travel should be fun and memorable. By planning well and obtaining adequate international travel insurance, you can rest assured your memories will be good ones.

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Honeymoon Insurance And When To Take It Out

Couples planning to get married these days are tending to make their own arrangements rather than have relatives like their mothers for example do it for them. There has been a trend towards professional wedding planners, but this can sometimes be too expensive for many young couples who are on a tight budget, so they do it themselves. One of the areas that concern modern wedding plans is the subject of insurance. I have written at length about wedding insurance, but we now need to turn our attention to what happens after the wedding, i.e. the honeymoon.

As we have already discussed, a modern traditional wedding will set you back about £20000 especially when you add together all the trimmings that are also included. That is why we recommend wedding insurance, but what about the honeymoon?

Young newlyweds are taking their honeymoons seriously these days. A typical honeymoon will set you back about £2-3000 depending upon where you go and what you intend to do when you get there. The days of a weekend in Blackpool are long gone, as are the excursions to Benidorm or Majorca! Newlyweds today want more adventure on their honeymoon and they are willing to travel further afield to get it.

This means that traditional travel insurance may not cover your activities or even the places you are planning to go to. You really should be making your honeymoon plans when you plan your wedding and you should therefore sort out your honeymoon insurance at the same time.

If you are planning to travel outside of the Eurozone, you will need to make this clear to the travel agent as many standard travel policies will only cover Europe. You will also need to ensure that your activities are covered. For example, you will find that most policies will exclude things like skydiving, bungee jumping, scuba diving, horse riding and the list goes on. It is important that you get this sorted out well before you go as you do not want to be worrying about it at the airport!

Another aspect to try and get sorted out when you are planning all of this is the actual costs involved. Honeymooners notoriously underestimate the costs involved in their honeymoon and therefore the sums insured are not adequate to cover loos or damage should it arise, so make sure that you are aware of the costs involved.

One final piece of advice is to maybe not over emphasise that you are going on your honeymoon to the travel agent, as they are noted for bumping up prices if they think that you are willing to pay more just because it is your honeymoon!

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Protect Yourself and Your Family Before You Board the Plane

Traveling on an airplane is actually quite a safe mode of transportation, although most people have a fear of flying. When planning a trip that requires you to take flight, there are certain things you should do before you board. For instance, if you are going out of the country, you need a valid photo passport. Also, you need to make sure that you always have a photo ID on hand for security checks, and whenever airport security asks you to show them your identification. Make sure your boarding pass is also readily available upon request.

Pack as little as possible, and do not forget essentials such as ID cards, credit cards, and calling cards if you are traveling internationally. Always keep cash on you in the case of an emergency. These are some of the more obvious things to get squared away before taking your trip. However, there is something else that most people look passed when they plan a trip that requires an airplane ride.

Most people overlook the importance of applying for flight travel insurance, even though it is actually a great benefit and brings a sense of security to you and your family. Not many people realize that such an insurance plan exists, and you might actually one of those people who are unaware of this. Flight travel insurance, depending the policy benefits you choose, can help protect you and your family in case of an accident that occurs while on board an airplane. If you lose a limb, your eyesight, or if you lose your life while on board because of an airplane accident, flight accident insurance offers coverage for the aforementioned. If you happen to get injured or pass away in the event of an accident on a plane, your family will not have to stress over financial issues in a time of hardship or grieving.

A lot of people do not think it is important to purchase this type of insurance because airplane crashes are rare, but it is better to be safe than sorry in case something were to happen while you are flying. Flight accident insurance could also cover more than the loss of a limb, eyesight, or loss of life. Depending on how much you are willing to pay and what kind of coverage you want, you could also add on benefits for medical expenses, baggage loss, and repatriation. With the benefit of repatriation, in the event that you lose your life, the insurance will help cover the costs of flying your body back to your home country. Insurance coverage could be up to $1 million or as low as $100,000. All of the added benefits and coverage levels are your choice, and they depend on how long you will be traveling.

In the case of an accident that causes an injury or death, have peace of mind knowing that you and your family have the financial help in a time of need. Money should not be a stress factor in the midst of recovering from an airplane accident.

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Travel Insurance From TATA AIG

Quiet often you might want to spend your leisure time on a holiday exploring different parts of the world. Travelling to your dream destination which you once dreamt about will be remembered fondly throughout your life. This exciting experience would include adventures, view of unique landscapes and sceneries, eating in various multi-cuisines restaurants, shopping across different brands, enjoying the glimpse of the gigantic skyscrapers, beautiful animals parks as well as botanical gardens and the list goes on...

Unfortunately along with enjoying your holiday you have a big responsibility and that is to give your health a high priority. You might not know when you would come across a medical emergency. Medical expenses abroad are very expensive and your happy experiences could become a disaster. Therefore when you plan your long awaited holiday, it is advisable to do a reality check and plan a secured and tension free holiday by investing just a small sum of money on a good travel insurance plan which would keep you and your family safe during this expedition.

People exploring different parts of the world every year must see that they are insured with proper insurance. Buyers should also Beware! Since there are many insurance companies providing different polices you might not be sure which one to buy. Each of the policies provides different coverage depending on the different situations you would come across. Most of the insurance companies know the need of the people while travelling. TATA AIG travel insurance is one of the renowned insurance company which offers travel insurance for people. Some of the travel plans offered under TATA AIG travel insurance are as follows:

Travel Guard Insurance The Travel guard insurance provides coverage for all overseas travelers up to the age of 79. It does not require medical examination up to 79 years. There are 3 policy maximums available, the Silver plan for $50,000/-, the Gold plan for $200,000/- and the Platinum plan for $500,000/-. This policy is valid for 180 days initially, and can be renewed further for another 90 days. For travellers who are more than 70 years old, only the $50,000 coverage is available.

Asia Guard Insurance Travelers visiting Asian countries like Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Maldives... can purchase Asia Guard Insurance. Only Japan and Korea are the Asian countries that are excluded in Asia Guard travel insurance. However the Asia Guard policy is available for a maximum of 14 days only. For travel within Asia but for more than 14 days, travelers should purchase the Travel guard insurance policy.

Annual Multi Trip Insurance Travelers who make multiple trips to foreign countries annually can purchase Annual Multi Trip travel insurance for medical coverage. Annual Multi Trip insurance is available as Gold plan and Platinum plan providing maximum coverage of $250,000 and $500,000 respectively. Travelers with the Annual Multi trip insurance policy cannot exceed a single trip overseas for more than 30 or 45 days depending on the plan purchased.

Domestic Guard Insurance Those who travel within India should not take their health issues for granted by ignoring the importance of travel insurance policy. Domestic Guard insurance plans cover specific risks that are encountered by the travelers in case of an emergency. Domestic Guard insurance can be purchased according to one's age group.

Student Insurance Students between the age of 16 to 35 years who are enrolled and attending full time college abroad can purchase Student insurance. Student insurance is available for the students as Plan A, Plan B and Ultimate having policy maximum of $50,000, $100,000 and $250,000 respectively.

Senior Citizen Insurance TATA AIG medical insurance plans are available for senior citizens as well. Senior citizens who are between the age of 70 and 79 are eligible for TATA AIG travel mediclaim insurance policy coverage. The maximum duration of coverage will be 180 days for Senior Citizen travelers and the maximum benefit is limited to $ 50,000.

TATA AIG travel mediclaim insurance plan protects the insured from any unforeseen emergency while overseas or within India. Travel insurance, one of the largest travel insurance company in the world offers reliable and affordable travel insurance policies for Indian customers. Travel insurance policies are relevant for travelers going abroad and staying there for a certain period of time. Travel insurance plans are designed to meet the health insurance requirements of the young and old. Travelers can select any one of the plans and make an easy purchase online. Travel insurance plans cover the insured for medical expenses, repatriation, evacuation, accidental death and dismemberment...

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TATA AIG Travel Insurance Plans

Travelling is all about exploring new horizons of life. Some people travel to take a break from their 9x5 work schedules, some travel to acquire new business, some travel to visit their families and friends in distant lands, some travel to study abroad and some travel to find peace for their inner self. The reasons for travelling vary from person to person however the primary hope in every traveler remains same - A fulfilling and exciting journey. However, someone said it right: A Journey is like Marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think that you control it! That's when Travel insurance comes in your Travel plan. It actually gives you a complete peace of mind to be prepared for any unforeseen emergencies or uncontrolled circumstances like loss of baggage, personal accident, medical expenses, flight delays etc. And for Indian Travelers who else can serve better than the trust and reliability of Tata i.e. Tata AIG Travel Insurance Plan.

Tata AIG travel insurance offers varied plans tailor made to suit your needs and budget. Travelers going abroad can choose from Asia Guard insurance, Travel Guard insurance and Annual Multi Trip. Asia Guard insurance is best suited for travelers travelling to other Asian countries. Annual Multi Trip is suitable for travelers travelling overseas multiple times during a year.

Tata AIG travel Insurance plans cover benefits like Coverage of Accident & Sickness Medical Expenses, checked baggage loss, baggage delay, loss of passport, personal liability, hijacking, trip delay, personal accident, etc. Travelers can choose a plan to get maximum coverage benefit upto $50,000, $2,00,000 or $5,00,000. You can get a quote immediately by choosing a plan as per your age and travel needs. All these Insurance plans can be bought online without any paperwork and policy is issued and emailed within 24 hours. Payment can be made via Credit card, debit card or through cheque. For using Credit card/Debit card, you can just follow the steps online and buy the travel insurance plan, however if paying through cheque, you need to provide details in the Online cheque application form and then courier the cheque to the office address mentioned in the cheque application form. In both payment modes, Policy will be issued, emailed and couriered upon realization of the payment. You also get 24x7 service support free of charge for complete peace of mind during your trip. Wish you Happy and Secured Travelling!

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Advice for the Parents of a Study Abroad Student

Your son or daughter has decided to take advantage of studying in a foreign country. This is a very rewarding and exciting opportunity for your child. However, for you and your spouse, this might cause a boatload of anxiety, stress, worry, and uncertainty. Although studying abroad is popular amongst American students, their parents often think the worst while their children are hundreds of miles away, whether it be for a few weeks or an entire semester.

Be sure to keep the lines of communication open between you and your child. Your son or daughter might feel a great sense of independence because he or she is in a whole separate country from you. However, it is important to let your child know that you need to keep in contact often. Cell phones work differently while abroad. Figure out what would be best for your child. Would it be cheaper to have your child bring his or her personal cell phone and purchase an international calling card? Would you rather have him or her buy an international phone? Will you speak via video chat on your laptops or send e-mails on a nightly basis? Having a way to be able to call each other without enduring high calling bills is something that should be discussed and planned ahead of time. Let your child know that you want to remain updated through e-mails or web chat so that he or she could tell you about his or her day. In doing so, your child will think you are just very interested and eager to know what he or she did and learned. However, in reality, although you are interested, you really just want to hear from them in order to know that they are safe and well!

There are two aspects of travel safety that you should discuss with your son or daughter. First, go over any pamphlets that your child might have received about the study abroad program and the country where he or she will be studying. Oftentimes, study abroad programs provide students with travel safety tips, which warn them about thieves and people who pickpocket and specifically target tourists. Review any program material that pertains to safety.

The other aspect of safety to discuss is your child's health. Ask him or her if student health insurance is included in the study abroad program costs. If it is not, you should seriously consider purchasing an insurance plan such as Study USA health insurance. Health insurance for American students studying abroad might be mandatory, depending on where your student is studying. Also, health coverage will help cover costs for any possible medical care he or she might need to attain while abroad.

If there is no such thing as universal healthcare or some kind of publicly funded healthcare, medical bills without insurance could cost thousands of dollars, and you and your child will be solely responsible for paying the entire cost of these bills. Therefore, if your child needs medical attention or has to visit the hospital or a doctor some reason, it is quite important for him or her to have a plan such as Study USA health insurance.

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Guaranteed Protection With Travel Insurance

The second hurdle in planning a trip, after deciding where to go, is what travel insurance fits best. The only protection travelers have overseas is that conferred by their travel insurance. Common worries, like accidents and lost baggage, are assuaged by adequate coverage.

Selecting from among piles of insurance offerings can become quite tedious. Reading travel insurance reviews helps you get a feel of what is available, and you can narrow your choices. See what other people have to say about insurance policies and providers in these reviews, which will help you make your decision.

However, you should stick to more credible reviews written by other travelers. This will help you differentiate between good and bad policies. Find the policy best suited to your needs with ease after considering other people's experiences.

Oftentimes, the first offer is not the best one. Take some time to read reviews and do a travel insurance comparison of your own. Your main priorities should be cost, extent of coverage, and provider trustworthiness.

In this case, the market works to your advantage as better policies are offered at cheaper prices. There are so many packages available that you can get extensive coverage at affordable prices. This is the purpose served by travel insurance reviews.

It will suffice to compare three to five companies. Check out their offerings and see if you can get consumer feedback for their line of products. The best advice is to stick to reputable providers.

Next on the menu is the prices of the different packages. One need not sacrifice coverage for affordability. It does not always follow that the better options are the more pricey ones.

Then, you should be critical of the type of coverage that you will be provided with when it comes to a particular insurance policy. Scan through consumer reports to see whether a policy truly fits your needs or not. There are times when travel policies provide excessive coverage for a high price or limited coverage for a very cheap cost.

Focus first on the features you want before jumping into the this insurance review. Know how much of your financial resources you can dedicate to insurance. Once you've decided on these two matters, the rest is easy.

Sojourners can help themselves find the right travel insurance for their travels by conducting their own reviews. A careful study of this insurance offerings helps you choose the best plan for you. Never again be tricked into expensive policies you do not need.

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Travel Insurance - Don't Leave Your Country Without It

If you are planning on travelling overseas it is vital that you take out travel insurance. Unexpected things can happen, such as natural disasters or accidents, or you may become ill while away, and without travel insurance you could find yourself facing huge expenses.

Natural disasters and accidents

We certainly never plan for accidents to happen and natural disasters can strike anywhere out of the blue. This is why having travel insurance is so important as it is at least the one thing you can organise and if something does go wrong then you covered. You may require medical assistance or find that you need to be flown home. Travel insurance can cover your medical expenses, which in a foreign hospital can cost you thousands if you are not covered. If you require further attention you may need to be flown home, and a medical evacuation can reach in to the tens of thousands of dollars.

Illness

If you become ill overseas you may need to be admitted to hospital, and when in a foreign country this can be extremely costly as you won't be covered by their health system. If you need to return home early these additional costs can be covered if you have travel insurance. Your insurance will cover your hospital stay and any medical emergency costs.

Lost or stolen belongings

It is important to have travel insurance while travelling overseas in case you lose your belongings, or if they are stolen. Travel insurance will cover your luggage and any documents, such as your passport and visas, as well as any cash.

Death or disability

If you become permanently disabled you will find that most policies will cover expenses, or if you happen to die as a result of an accident then your travel insurance can cover this too. It can be extremely costly to transport remains, for example from Europe it can cost around ten thousand dollars to fly a body home. The stress of having to come up with this huge sum for a grieving family would be terrible, so it is worthwhile having the cover.

Things to check

Make sure that you are covered for all your travel items and that you have enough cover for the country you are going to. Do a bit of research and find out what the medical expenses are like where you are going and check your fund will cover you if you have to be hospitalised. You may find that dangerous activities like scuba diving and bungee jumping are not covered, so find out first and think about whether you are going to risk partaking in these activities while away. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions you may not be covered unless you let them know, so make sure you are upfront. When you take out your insurance be thorough and read the fine print, and double check your dates. You need to be covered for the entire duration of your trip so remember the difference in time zones.

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What to Look for in Travel Cover

Travelling overseas can be one of the most amazing experiences of your life. Not only do the good times provide you with memories that will last a life time, but the challenges and rough times also leave you with great stories to share with friends and families.

While in retrospect the challenging times can be a good laugh, in the moment, they may mean no luggage in freezing temperatures and no budget, a broken bone and a big medical bill, or stolen tickets to an expensive flight. With this in mind, it is very important to get travel insurance that will cover you for the duration of the time you are away.

Insurance is yet another cost on top of what can already be a sizable bill, so finding the best insurance is important. The list below gives a few tips for finding the best cover for you.

1. Price

The cost of insurance is a big deal, especially if you're backpacking on a small budget and hoping to go a long way. There are so many different companies out there, that it's not difficult to find cheap travel insurance that covers everything you need. Head online and search out sites that will quote straight away, so you have an immediate idea of the cost.

Compare a number of quotes before deciding which provider to go with. Keep in mind, if you are using a travel agent, they are likely to add a margin to all costs, including insurance, so your quote may be higher than if you book yourself.

2. Reputation

Before accepting a quote and spending the money, ensure the provider you have chosen is reputable -- you don't want a company you have to fight to get support from if you are in a difficult situation. Go online to blogs and forums and explore any comments about the company so you can get an idea of their service level. Generally people make comments if they are either incredibly pleased or very unhappy with a particular service, so you should get a good cross section of ideas for a reputable company.

3. Options for cover

A good provider offers a comprehensive option, as well as a cheaper 'essentials' and basics option. While the latter don't cover as much, they may be all you need. Don't spend money on things you don't need, but make sure you cover what you do need.

4. Consider what you need

The type of cover you need depends on the type of travel you are undertaking. If going overseas, at a basic level, you will need cover for emergency medical and dental costs, credit cards, travellers cheques and documents such as passports, luggage and personal liability. In addition, you can get cover for loss of income, theft of cash, luggage delay, cancellation fees, alternative transport, rental vehicle excess and a range of other items.

5. A comprehensive cover

If you do decide you want comprehensive cover, keep in mind that what is covered can change from company to company. Compare comprehensive offerings so you get the best deal.

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Grandparents Visiting From the Philippines

If you are a first-generation American citizen, born and raised, then you probably still have many relatives who live in the Philippines. The majority of your aunts and uncles, cousins, and even your grandmothers and grandfathers probably still live in the same town they grew up, possibly even in the same house, if not the same property.

Many Filipinos who choose to move abroad do so because the economy of the Philippines is weak, and moving to the United States means that they are almost guaranteed to make more money in the America than anywhere in the Philippines. A lot of Filipinos like your parents have moved from the Philippines to the United States in order to earn money, which they in turn send back to your relatives, in order to help them out financially. This gesture is common within the Filipino culture, and it is almost expected from the family members who were left behind in the Philippines.

However, by living in the United States, you obviously do not have the opportunity to see all of your relatives any time you want. It is costs quite a lot of money to travel to and from the Philippines, and so many first-generation American citizens have not even been to the Philippines, or they have only visited once or twice.

On the other hand, by living in the United States, you and your parents have given your relatives hope that they could one day go to the United States, even if it is only for a short vacation. Many times, Filipinos pay for the airfare of their parents to visit their grandchildren for the first time in the United States.

If you are expecting your grandparents to visit you in the United States, then you should discuss with your parents visitors care insurance. Since your grandparents are not as young as they used to be, it is important for them to take care of their health while they are visiting. Flying a long distance can take a toll on them, and being in a different environment could affect their health as well. With visitors care insurance, your grandmother and grandfather will not have to worry about how they are going to pay for any medical care they might need. If either one of them become sick while they are in the United States, visitor care insurance could help reduce the price they have to pay if either of them need to be seen by a doctor. Visitor care insurance also provides coverage for hospital stays, intensive care unit charges (if applicable), hospital emergency room visits, x-rays, and any needed prescription drugs. It could also cover the cost of a surgeon if one of them needs to have a procedure done.

Speak to your parents about how they could help your grandparents in case they need medical attention. Their vacation in the United States should not be worrisome if they become sick or injured. Without insurance, you already know that healthcare costs are sky high. By ensuring they are cared for during their visit, you will all have a more enjoyable time.

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Visitor Visa Insurance

Millions of people travel across the globe every year. The majorities are travelers, but there are some that become immigrants. In either case, it is important that they have health insurance during their travels. No matter how healthy a person is initially, there is always the chance of falling ill. Sometimes it is from the food, other times it could be a bug in the area. Regardless of what the cause is, if a person is protected with visitor health insurance, they will not have to bear the brunt of the costs.

Note, however that visitor health insurance differs from the traditional policies that most people are acquainted with.

Understanding the Benefits

Visitor health insurance is very important for those traveling to United States, where there is no free healthcare. There is no way around the issue, even if a person has dual citizenship. This works in contrast to many other countries, where being a citizen guarantees free healthcare. Either way, if you are not a citizen of the country you plan on traveling to, it is always best to have visitor insurance as a backup.

With a good visitor insurance plan, you avoid the nuances of healthcare expenses. And the longer you stay, the more important the insurance is. Again, this works regardless of the healthcare policies of the country in question. It should also be noted that the motive behind your trip does not matter with visitor health insurance. Whether you are visiting a relative, or simply staying for a couple of days, the policy works the same way. The length of time you stay in the country is irrelevant to the effectiveness of your policy. They will all kick in the same way. What matters is whether or not you get sick.

How Do You Find The Best Visitor Health Insurance Policy?

Getting visitor medical insurance is not always easy, especially if you try to get policies upon your arrival. With that said, try to make arrangements before your trip, preferably from your native country. There are a plethora of websites that advertise such agencies. If you go on the right ones, you will be able to get a quote right there online. Just be aware that in order to get your quote you must answer a few questions. They range from general contact information to the number of persons that will travel with you. Do not be shy with your answers, as they are pivotal in determining how much you will pay for your policy. And, like traditional insurances, if you are young, fit and healthy you can expect a better rate than someone who is older. However, there are specialized policies for seniors over 75, so if you are in that age range you might want to try such options first.

After you have amassed a few quotes, conduct additional research on your companies of interest. Look at the ratings of former customers. If a particular company has a repeated number of complaints, you might want to look elsewhere for your visitor health insurance.

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Studying Abroad? Be Prepared for High Medical Costs

If you are studying abroad, be prepared for high medical costs. Anyone knows that being uninsured means that medical care can be quite expensive. Without financial assistance, the cost of going to a doctor or an emergency room is very high. People in other countries face the same kind of hardship of trying to pay medical bills when they do not have health insurance coverage. If you are studying abroad, you should understand that your American health insurance will not cover you, and being uninsured in another country has the same high-cost effects of being uninsured in the United States.

Some study abroad programs include the cost of health insurance in order to help students with healthcare coverage. However, if your program does not include insurance, consider purchasing health insurance for international students. While you are studying in another country, you might become ill or injured, and you do not want to face the costs of medical care alone. Already as a college student, you will be on a tight budget while you try to adjust to living in another country, whether it be for a period of a few weeks or for an entire semester. Health insurance for international students could also help with medical costs for your spouse if you are married and any children you might have. If you incur a large sum of medical bills while uninsured, and you have difficulty paying them, this could ultimately affect your credit.

International student travel insurance could reduce the cost of high medical bills. There are several different benefit options you could choose from. Your policy plan depends on the kind of coverage that you think is best for your study abroad experience. International student travel insurance could cover medical expenses such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs. It could also cover medical evacuation, which means that if you are sick or injured and need to be taken to a nearby facility, the cost to travel there would be covered. Repatriation could also be part of your benefit plan. In the event that you pass away while studying abroad, your family would not have to stress about the cost of sending your remains back to your home country -- the insurance could help cover this expense. You could also be covered for maternity in the event that you are pregnant or become pregnant while you are abroad. Care for mental health could also be covered if you choose. Plans are affordable and cater to your needs.

You should find out what kind of insurance, if any, is included in the costs of your study abroad program. Depending on the country where you will be studying, some schools even governments require that international students are insured and prohibit uninsured students from enrolling in classes. This requirement proves the importance of health coverage while you are in another country. While studying abroad, you do not want to have to spend more than you need to when you acquire an illness or injury.

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Travel Insurance: 5 Important Features To Be Aware Of

Life is often a balance between good and bad, positive and negative, yin and yang, glass half full/glass half empty - whichever way you choose to look at it. When caught up in the excitement of planning your next trip or holiday the last thing on your mind may be the possibility that something could go wrong - and it can be easy to forget about travel insurance. Positive thinking is definitely a good thing - and in the majority of cases everything will go to plan, but you just never know.

There is no question that everyone should have travel insurance, and the cost should be incorporated into your holiday budget. However, before you press the 'Buy' button when purchasing a policy online, always look beyond the quote to see whether it suits your needs and covers all your planned activities. For the relatively small cost of travel insurance you could potentially get quite a lot for your money.

Travel insurance may not cover every single eventuality that could occur, but it certainly covers most of the common - and often costly - travel-related problems. There is a lot more to it than can be covered here, but to get you started here are five important reasons why you should have insurance:

1. Cancellation and Curtailment A typical policy will include Cancellation and Curtailment. Cancellation means cancelling before your trip begins. Curtailment means cutting short your trip. This provides for you and your travelling companion if a covered event occurs, such as:

Illness, injury or death of you, your companion, a close relative or business associate, or the person with whom you plan to stay Being made redundant Being called for jury service Being posted overseas (armed forces) or called for duty if you work for an essential service (fire, nursing, ambulance, police, etc.) A Foreign Office (or other government) advisory against travel to a certain part of the world (as long as this was not in effect at the time you booked the travel) Failing a university (or equivalent) exam and having to re-sit

2. Scheduled Airline Failure We live in uncertain times, unfortunately, so why not have this cover in place - just in case. This is especially important for travellers who like to put together their own trips or holidays by booking flights and accommodation separately, the so-called DIY holiday. (A package holiday should include protection against airline failure if booked through a bonded company).

3. Medical Expenses and Hospital Benefit In most cases travel will go smoothly, but medical emergencies are usually beyond our control. For example, traveller's tummy often strikes no matter how much care is taken with eating and drinking. Taking ice in a drink in some parts of the world could be all it takes to pick up a nasty gastrointestinal bug.

A comprehensive travel insurance policy should include Emergency Medical Repatriation. This may be something you have never heard of, but it is certainly something to be aware of. If you are just taking a short trip to a neighbouring country you may think there is no need to worry. However, if you should be involved in a serious accident or become very ill or even fatally injured in any part of the world it may be necessary to transport you home by air ambulance with a medical escort. Additional seats may have to be purchased on a flight to accommodate a stretcher. Imagine the cost if you did not have insurance. Also, contrary to popular belief, your embassy does not pay these costs!

4. Catastrophe Insurance for natural catastrophes is a matter of concern for many travellers these days. Policies may vary in what they do or do not cover, and insurance may not cover any and all types of catastrophes. However, if a catastrophe should occur (such as earthquake, hurricane, flood, fire) insurance may cover additional travel and accommodation expenses to either continue your trip or return home.

5. Personal Effects and Luggage This is probably the issue that most people think of when they hear the term travel insurance. Having your luggage lost, stolen or damaged may not be the worst thing that could happen when travelling, but it could certainly cause inconvenience and disrupt your relaxing holiday.

Imagine the cost of having to go out shopping to replace all the items you had so carefully chosen to purchase and pack for your trip. Travel insurance provides reimbursement for these costs up to a certain amount, depending on the policy. Remember that it is important to keep all receipts!

This article is a general guide only, intended to point out some important features. Policies vary from company to company, so always check to see what is or is not included.

Be wary of 'free travel insurance' included with offers or promotions, or a very cheap quote on a comparison site. Always check the levels of cover (especially medical) as well as the Excess (also known as Deductible - the amount you pay towards a claim). Cuts are often made somewhere to be able to provide such a cheap quote.

Thinking positively is a good thing in most areas of life, but when it comes to travel it may be best to err on the side of caution. Why not change your thinking slightly and hope for the best - but be prepared for the worst!

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Seven Reasons to Have Travel Insurance

All too often, travel insurance is overlooked or viewed as something that is unnecessary for a person's trip. Focused on the impending excitement and adventure or even the business dealings that lay ahead, many people perceive travel insurance as an optional extra or an unwanted expense. The good news is that cheap travel insurance is available and when appropriate cover is in place, every traveller can feel secure and safe in the knowledge that they are protected should things go wrong.

It does seem strange that so many of us are conscientious and committed to insurance for our lives, cars, home and health. Yet, we are not similarly as dedicated to insurance to protect us on a trip for which we may have spent considerable money, or a trip that may put ourselves and our belongings at risk.

So, why should all travellers take out health insurance cover?

#1: You or one of your travelling companions may get sick or have an accident before the trip is due to commence.

#2: It may seem unlikely but a medical evacuation from a country is sometimes necessary. None of us expect or hope for them, but serious accidents can occur and you do not have to be engaging in extreme activities to have a serious accident. Heaven forbid, but you could have a fall or be involved in a car accident and the costs of an ambulance, medical care and an international medical evacuation can be incredible.

#3: You are not covered by Medicare when you are travelling in many international destinations. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security by thinking that the Australian government has reciprocal arrangements in place that cover Australians needing medical care in every country - it is not the case.

#4: It is an all too often reality that a traveller arrives at their destination but their luggage does not make the same journey. Few things are more inconvenient than being without your belongings and personal effects. Travel insurance can assist with covering the costs associated with purchasing clothing and other necessary items until your bags are back in your possession.

#5: Your carrier may experience a delay which leaves you stuck in a city that you had no intention of staying in. In this instance, many travel insurance policies will cover the cost of a hotel and any extra travel expenses.

#6: You may be planning to live in another country, even for a short time. If you would not go without health insurance at home, do not run the risk in a foreign country - travel insurance is a must.

#7: While it is not especially nice to think about, you may need to cancel your trip because of the death of an immediate family member. While the life of a loved one is significantly more important that the cost of a trip, having this protection in place can help to reduce stress and disappointment and prevent them from exacerbating an already emotional situation.

There are an almost infinite number of reasons to have travel insurance and when it is considered that cheap travel insurance is possible, it is all the more foolish to travel without cover.

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Honeymoon Insurance - Get It Right First Time

Couples that are planning their wedding are traditionally coy about their honeymoon plans. In fact in the old days, the bride often did not know where she was going after the wedding. These days, they are involved in the planning from the outset. It is probably because of this that there has been the advent of honeymoon insurance which has been tailored to suit the needs of couple going on their honeymoon.

The time to make your travel arrangements is when you are in the planning stage of your wedding, not when you arrive at the airport terminal and try to take out one of those `fits all` type of a policy. There are a number of reasons behind this, but probably the most obvious is that in the heat of the moment, when you are probably under some stress after the trauma of your wedding, you will not be fully availed of what you need to cover.

So, having decided that it is best to arrange your wedding and honeymoon insurance well in advance, what should you be looking for in a policy?

You will need to sit down and work out exactly what it is going to cost and then the cost of replacing each aspect of the cover with realistic values. It is more difficult than it sounds, but it is a darn site easier than if you try and do it in the departure lounge at the airport.

You should know what you have spent on the holiday, but you also need to take into account what you might be taking with you. For instance, you may well be taking some of the wedding gifts with you, so you will need to make sure that they are adequately insured with a sensible sum insured on each item, especially if there are any valuables. Typical things that newlyweds overlook are the wedding rings. These alone can run into hundreds of pounds.

You may be taking expensive equipment with you, especially if you are going on some kind of adventure type of a trip. Typical items are skis for example. They can be very expensive and it would be devastating if they were to be lost or damaged whilst you are away.

For those of you lucky enough to actually get married abroad, there are some further questions you must ask yourself about the need of insurance. If you are getting married abroad, you will have all the attire in which you got married, and one of the most expensive will be the wedding dress. Some modern dresses can range up to £5000 a go, so make sure that you have adequate cover for it. You will almost certainly have to hawk the wedding gifts around with you, so make sure that you have adequate theft and loss or damage cover for these as well.

For those of you who are venturing further afield than Europe and especially what is known as the Eurozone, you will need to make sure that you have an adequate travel or honeymoon insurance that reflects this. Most companies will have a world wide type of policy available, but make sure that the country you are travelling to is actually one of those they will accept. If you are travelling to a country that has particular hazards attached to it, either weather wise, or near a war zone, you will need to check any exclusions to make sure that you have the right cover before you go.

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