Tips to buy the best overseas travel insurance

Guide to buy appropriate international travel insurance for your needs.

• Spend enough time to read the documents before choosing travel insurance policy for purchase. In case of availing service or facility that is not covered under the plan, can cost more money for the insured.
• When your travel duration is not finalized it is better to purchase a renewable travel insurance policy. Then you can extend the same policy in case of continuation of the duration of travel. But most of the Indian travel insurance plans are non renewable. In that case you may have to purchase a new policy.
• If you are able to afford for an expensive plan then purchase travel insurance with wider coverage and maximum sum assured. While you are travelling for a longer duration, you cannot predict medical emergencies and buy a plan that can cover precise medical expenses. Read the plan brochure to understand the inclusions and exclusions in the plan.
• If you have purchased a renewable travel insurance policy (rarely offered) then you must renew the same on time to avoid expiration. Renewal in such special cases will be done only when there is no claim on the policy.
• When you are travelling abroad and visiting destinations in that country make sure you have made several copies of travel insurance policy and carrying.
• In travel insurance policies the start date of the policy will be the date of departure from the home country and the end date will be the arrival date in the home country. The coverage of the plan can begin as early as the next day after the completion of the purchase.
• If you are suffering from any ailment while in the home country, carry necessary medication prescribed by your doctor while visiting abroad.
• Always purchase travel insurance policy after making a proper research or comparison. The compare tool for travel insurance is designed to help you understand the nitty-gritty of travel insurance policy and the insurance providers.
• Never take a chance of visiting abroad uninsured. Health care in countries like the US, the UK, Canada... is expensive.