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Why Purchase Direct Travel Insurance?

You are going on holiday and have heard about direct travel insurance. But why do you need it? Below are answers to commonly asked questions, including the type of coverage travel insurance direct includes.

Travel insurance is coverage for you when you are traveling away from home. Not all policies provide the same coverage and of course, prices can vary. Coverage varies amongst companies with different types of policies providing different types of coverage. You can get differing types depending on what your direct travel insurance needs are including travel insurance Australia if you are skiing down under.

What type of direct travel insurance coverage do you need?

The type of coverage you will need depends on where you plan on traveling. Medical costs vary tremendously in different countries. For example, if you have to be hospitalized while traveling in the United States, chances are the daily rates will be around $10 000 a day. If you need to be evacuated back home from another country, those costs will be unreachable for some people - potentially upwards of $100 000 or more. This will make the cost for travel insurance seem like pennies compared to the expense of having to be hospitalized or evacuated.

When you are researching the different policies and what is offered, look for coverage that includes emergency evacuation, coverage for someone to accompany you if you are traveling alone, unlimited personal liability and cover for pre-existing conditions.

You will also want to take the time to comb through the finer details of your chosen policy’s product disclosure booklet and to highlight any exclusions that may relate to your trip. Do this before signing your contract and making the final payment.

What other types of coverage would travel insurance include besides medical?

Direct travel insurance is not just for medical related problems that could arise during your holiday or business trip, it can also cover such things as cancellation of your trip, baggage, rental cars and delays. Below are some specifics to determine which travel insurance policy is right for you.

# Cancellations: You suddenly discover that you are unable to go on a booked and paid for holiday and this is due to a serious illness of either yourself or a relative. If you have purchased direct travel insurance, you will most likely be able to recoup this cancellation.

# Baggage: While obtaining travel insurance is one of the main reasons people obtain travel insurance, it is one of the only things that can replaced, while your health cannot., in the unlucky event that your luggage end up lost or stolen, you will be required to prove ownership of your items. If baggage cover is important to you, check whether you are covered for stolen luggage from a locked car or hotel room, what the limits are for coverage, and if your chosen policy reimburses for lost cash.

# Rental Cars: Renting a car overseas can be quite expensive particularly if you are not aware of the excess amount and you happen to be involved in an accident. This is where direct travel insurance comes in handy - the expense should be covered by your policy.

# Personal liability: When renting a car abroad, the rental car company you are with may offer coverage in case of an accident where someone is injured. If you have travel insurance, this portion of the policy may cover expenses if someone is injured. This cover often includes the legal expenses for accidents excluding car accidents. Ensure you know what the travel insurance will cover for personal liability in the event of an accident. If in doubt, ask a friend to help you comb through the finer details.

# Delays: In the instance that your flight is delayed, (which can interrupt all other reservations you have made at your destination), travel insurance will help to reduce impact on your finances and cover these unexpected delays. Don’t assume that everything will be covered with your travel insurance …ensure you understand the fine print of the policy and what it for disruption to
your travel plans. Also, check the level of excess and whether you can buy this out. Excess is the amount that you spend prior to a claim being paid out

In essence, protect yourself when investing in your next trip abroad and ensure both yourself and loved ones you leave behind have peace of mind that if there are mishaps, you are covered. Do your homework prior to purchasing a policy and understand exactly what it is you are covered for.

Safe Travels!

Article Source: http://www.travelarticles.org

Peter Smyth is Marketing Manager at 1Cover Travel Insurance Australia - direct travel insurance for any budget. Find direct travel insurance australia at 1Cover today.