Tips for travel safety

Choosing travel insurance can be a complicated part of planning your international trip. Is it worth the cost? Which insurance company offers the best coverage?

Getting some travel insurance is a very important part of planning a trip abroad. Most health insurance companies don’t cover much (if anything) when you travel. This means that you should buy a dedicated travel insurance plan.

Travel insurance plans can cover a combination of medical emergencies, accidents, theft of property, illness, and even trip cancellation or interruption. It’s just a great option if you want to travel safely these days.

But the best part is that a good plan can cost only a few dollars a day.

After 10 years of traveling, I have a few things that happened on the road (Dengue Fever, full camera, phone, etc.) So I don’t travel without insurance to protect me from the situation unexpected people.

My goal in this travel insurance guide is to help you narrow down the options out there – and choose the right travel insurance whether you’re traveling for 2 weeks or 6 months.

Types of travel insurance

There are different types of travel insurance, some plans cover more than others.

You should ask yourself a few questions before choosing a plan. Are you a short-term traveler going for a week or two? Or are you a long-term traveler going away for 6 months or more?

Do you carry large photo/expensive computer equipment, or not?

Will your current health insurance cover you abroad? How much will it cover? Does it include medical evacuation? Do you have any existing conditions?

Are you the type of person who books hotels/flights/events in advance? Or do you hit it off and pay for these services as you use them? Do you think your trip will be cancelled?

Travel health insurance is coverage for accidents, injuries, illnesses, or hospital visits while you are away from home.

Medical evacuation insurance is cover for emergency travel (usually by air) to a major hospital for better treatment.

Travel cancellation insurance is insurance for unexpected interruptions in your travel plans.

baggage/property insurance is cover for theft or damage to your equipment while travelling.

The best travel insurance options in 2022

short term travel insurance

SafetyWing

SafetyWing is a fantastic budget travel insurance option for travelers. They offer flexibility to purchase plans before or after your trip has already started. Plans start at just $40 per month, and they include asset theft too!

Another big advantage is that they can also cover you in your country, or a dependent child who is traveling with you. Ideal for digital nomads and families traveling with children.

---

People who move the world

World Nomads specializes in short-term travel insurance, including theft, which is very popular among travelers. I used them for many years before I decided to have long term expat type insurance instead.

Buying insurance with World Nomads for your next vacation is quick and easy. You can buy plans at a lower level. You can also extend the cover online from anywhere.

Universal health coverage: Yes.
Home Insurance: No.
Medical Exclusions: Yes.
Trip cancellation: Yes.
Theft/Damage Cover: Yes. ($500 per item)

Providing Long Term Insurance For Digital Nomads & Expats

Because I’m a digital nomad who travels with thousands of dollars worth of camera equipment, I have long-term travel insurance ideas. I use a dedicated expat health insurance policy, and gear guidelines for professional photographers.

This combination is more expensive than the international policy, but it works best for my long travel life.

IMG Global

This plan specializes in long-term global health insurance, but does not cover theft or trip cancellation. Coverage is included within the United States, but to qualify, you must spend at least 6 months of the year living abroad. You can choose the amount to be deducted from $250-$10,000.

Universal health coverage: Yes.
Home insurance: Yes.
Medical Exclusions: Yes.
Trip cancellation: No.
Theft/Damage Cover: No.
Contact for example: Global Gold (one year plan) = $74 / month with $1000 deductible

HTH worldwide

Comprehensive international health insurance, including the United States. There is no limit on how long you can stay in the US. Don’t waste money on regular doctor checkups. Insurance is good, but expensive. From Sherry OttsWorld.com is a happy customer.

Universal health coverage: Yes.
Home insurance: Yes.
Medical Exclusions: Yes.
Trip cancellation: No.
Theft/Damage Cover: No.
Contact for example: Global Citizen (one year plan) = $269/month with $1000 deductible

Other coverage options

Your current health insurance

Is there regular health insurance in your country? Check if they offer coverage internationally. If they do, you may not need anything else.

Homeowners or renters insurance

Homeowners or renters insurance can cover your belongings while traveling abroad. Invite them to review the details.

Credit card travel insurance

Most travel credit cards include some basic travel, theft, and even auto insurance (which is great for renting a car overseas). Call your card company to get details on what is covered (or not).

Do you need travel insurance?

This is the million dollar question – and ultimately a personal decision. I have seen many people who travel without travel insurance and I thought about doing the same.

But after more than 10 years of continuous travel, hearing horror stories from other travelers, and getting into a few dangerous problems myself – if anyone Ask my thoughts on the topic I answer:

YES. Everyone should carry some form of health/property insurance when traveling.

Why? Because something happens. Whether you think it will happen or not. Despite your best plans and prevention measures. Of course, if you sprain your ankle, it might not be a big deal.

But what if your notebook is broken? Or your car broke down? Have you contracted a deadly disease? Or want to get out of health after you break your leg?

These things happen to travelers from time to time, and can cost you tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars. Without insurance, you are screwed!

My advice is based on listening to many first-hand disaster stories from other travelers, as well as my own experience.

Real Life Examples

I know a woman traveling in Costa Rica who fell down a ladder and broke her arm. He had no health insurance, received terrible treatment at the local hospital, and was confined there until he could pay the huge medical bills.

Another person I know lost everything when his guest house was locked in Ecuador. Without personal property insurance, he would need to spend thousands to replace all his equipment.

Another friend contracted a carnivorous parasite while hiking in the jungles of Peru. He needed months of treatment from specialist doctors, and a medical evacuation flight back to the United States.

These are people I know personally.

Insurance coverage

Insurance companies are notorious for trying to avoid paying claims. Editing can take some work on your part, depending on the situation. Here are a few tips for paying with travel insurance:

• If you are having trouble filing a complaint, always work your way up to the corporate level. Talk to the supervisor. Then tell the supervisor of the supervisor. Make your statement public using Social Media if necessary.
• Record the conversation. At the beginning of every phone call, tell the other party that you are recording the conversation to ensure there are no misunderstandings later.
• When writing a police report of any kind, keep the story simple. The longer and more detailed the report, the easier it is for the insurance company to find loopholes to deny your claim.

Other travel insurance plans

• Read the book carefully first! Know what covers you. For example, some policies don’t cover serious play or theft of unexpected items.
• Take photos or videos of all your travel accessories with a date stamp.
• Keep a PDF copy of every travel kit purchase and hospital receipt. Also keep the original.
• Enter the tracking number, order number, and insurance contact information.
• Store this information online in a secure, easily accessible location. I use Evernote. Another good option is Dropbox or Google Drive.
• File a police report immediately of any theft or accident while traveling.

No one likes to think about theft or injury while on vacation, but the fear is real, and without good travel insurance, an unexpected accident can ruin your life. Don’t travel without it! ★