Are You Familiar With Travel Insurance?

For some travelers, insurance is a good deal; for others, it's not.

We’ve had so many people tell us over the years that they have never bought travel medical insurance. We’ve heard things like “It really depends on the situation,” “Hospitals are cheap where I’m going.” I’ll just come home if I get sick.”

I find all of these excuses unacceptable. For those of you that think you don’t need travel insurance, read on. We’ve got some scenarios to drive this point home.

Ok! What do I even mean by travel health insurance? Why must you get one? Are there pros and cons? Is it really worth the hype?

Travel Insurance is a product designed to cover the costs and reduce the risk associated with unexpected events during domestic or international travel. Travel insurance usually covers the insured in two main categories: costs associated with medical expenses and trip cancellations. In case you are wondering if one needs health insurance when travelling to a foreign country depends deeply on the desired destination as well as the ability to personally cover any health care needs during the stay out at the certain foreign country.

Whether you’re sailing on a cruise ship, climbing a mountain, or are simply in another country, getting really sick or injured on the road can be catastrophic…and expensive. That's why medical travel insurance is very important:

In most cases, your travel will go without a hitch. You’ll not have to experience the nightmare of being seriously ill or injured in a foreign country. But if you do, the last thing you want is not having the support or financial means by which to get treated and flown home.

For that alone, travel insurance is worth every cent.

Travel insurance is ultimately a legal contract created by lawyers and you should spend the time to read the fine print and description of coverage (policy wording) thoroughly and ask questions if you don't understand what you're covered for.

There are hundreds of circumstances that could cause you to cancel your trip, return home early or force you to seek emergency medical treatment while traveling.

To demonstrate the importance of purchasing travel insurance, and emergency travel services, here are 10 common examples of what could go wrong.

1.  It's 11 p.m. and you and your immediate family arrive at the airport for a connecting flight, only to find that your flight has been cancelled. Who can assist you with finding new flights to get everyone home?

2.  Your bag was lost with your insulin inside. You need help to locate your bag as soon as possible and have your emergency prescription filled. Who do you call?

3. Your first visit to Europe, and your passport and wallet are stolen. Where do you turn for assistance in obtaining emergency cash, and how will you get your passport replaced?

4.  You're involved in an accident and adequate medical treatment is not available. Who will help coordinate a medical evacuation?

5.  If your sister-in-law becomes seriously ill and you must cancel your trip, what happens to your non-refundable deposits or pre-payments?

6. You arrive in Jamaica and your luggage doesn't. If it's lost, who will help you find it? If it's delayed who will reimburse you for covered necessities? If it's stolen, who will reimburse you for its contents?

7.  Your cruise line, airline or tour operator goes bankrupt. Who will pay for your non-refundable expenses? Who is able to assist in getting you to your destination?

8.  You're walking down a street in Rio and twist your ankle. Who is able to assist you in finding an English-speaking physician?

9.  Three weeks before your scheduled arrival, a terrorist incident occurs in the city to which you are planning to visit. Who will reimburse you if you want to cancel your trip?

10.You are at a beach resort in North Carolina, and you are forced to evacuate due to a hurricane which has made your resort uninhabitable. Who can assist you in being evacuated? Who will reimburse you for your lost vacation investment?

If you are leaving your home country, you should always have emergency medical and evacuation.

When you leave your home country, your health insurance may or may not travel with you. Whenever you are traveling abroad, buy either a travel medical plan or vacation plan that includes medical emergencies.

• Without insurance, you may have to cover emergency expenses on your own – your consulate abroad is unlikely to help you.
• What happens if you have a bad fall on the ski slopes and need a helicopter to a good hospital?
• How would you cope if one of the kids fell ill – even with something minor – in the US or another country with sky-high medical costs?

What more can I say? Always consult your travel agent to know the appropriate travel insurance that will suit your travel plans because it is really worth it.

GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING YOUR NEXT OR FIRST VACATION

Planning a trip abroad whether it is your first or your fiftieth can be agonizing.

I remember when I started planning my first trip. I had no idea what I was doing. Where to start from was a big problem. I was so confused that I had to meet some of my close friends; I got mixed tips which got me more confused. LOL! I was lost. I figured it out as I went, just hoping I didn’t miss anything.

Planning a long trip can be a daunting task. Where do you begin? What’s step one? What’s step two? What’s step three? It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the beginning, especially when you haven’t done something like this before.

Over the years, I’ve developed an efficient little checklist that ensures I don’t miss anything important. I don’t want to get to my next destination and then realize I forgot something.

In a continuing effort to get out the door and into the world, I’ve created this step-by-step guide to planning a trip that breaks the process down so planning becomes easier and less overwhelming:

Step 1 – Decide Where You Want To Go

Defining where you want to go sets a goal to work toward. A lot of people talk vaguely about travel. They never say where they are going, just that they are going. Picking a destination is immensely important, as it gives you a definite goal. It’s a lot easier to mentally get behind “I am going to Paris” than “I’m going to Europe.” Not only will your trip become more concrete for you and easier to commit to, but it will make planning easier as well. There are lots of lovely cities in all the continents that you can choose from. It could be the beautiful Dubai or just name it.

Middle East which is also known as the cradle of civilization has a variety of local cuisine for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, great monuments and you won’t find the cost of travel to weigh as heavily on your pocket.

African continent has cultures, landscapes and experiences beyond your wildest dreams. Africa is a treasure trove for all. A wonderful part of a visit to Africa is an insight into the different cultures and customs of this hospitable race. Diversity of African wildlife and scenery are among what makes this continent one of the most exciting destinations in the world.                 

Asia has amazing food, breathtaking landscapes, diverse cultures and friendly people; it’s extremely safe. Culture and ideology in Asia are incredibly colorful and fascinating to outsiders, infrastructure also tends to be good, which makes Asia a great choice for any trip abroad

Australia’s a great place for any trip abroad: Laid-back locals, awe-inspiring landscapes and great beach weather year round.

Europe is without a doubt the most popular destination for first-time international travelers, if only because its cities, attractions and history are so ubiquitous in popular culture.

Step 2 - What is your budget like?

So you know where you’re going and how long you’ll be there, but to really nail down how much money you need, your next task is to research the costs in your destination at the style of travel you want. Do you want to backpack, or would you rather stay in luxury hotels? How much are hostels, hotels, restaurants, and attractions? Knowing will allow you to estimate how much money you’ll need for your trip

If you are going to Paris for 10 days and need $75 a day (not including your flight), you know you need to save $750 (though round up to $800 since it’s good to have extra) for your trip. Now you have a concrete goal to work toward.

Step 3 – Accommodation Plans

If you have a set schedule, feel free to book accommodation for the duration of your trip, but if you are going to be traveling long-term, book just the first few days. Once you know the dates you’ll be in your destination, there is no real reason not to find a place to stay.

Step 4 - How will you get around?

You’ll need an air ticket to get to wherever your destination is.Mass transit is another option because this allows you the opportunity to see beautiful landscapes at your city of choice.

Step 5 - When do you want to travel?

Having specific dates to travel is good, as it provides you with at least one fixed parameter while planning your trip abroad. This can be particularly beneficial with regard to airfare.

Having flexibility with regard to timing can also open up the opportunity for trips that overlap with rare events

The freedom to travel whenever you want is a dream situation for some – and a nightmare for others. On one hand, being flexible with departure dates allows you to be more open about where you go, but for travelers who have cold feet about planning their trips abroad, not having a definite date in mind can cause trip-planning atrophy.

Step 6 - How long do you want to stay?

How much does it cost to travel? You will have no idea without knowing for how long you’re going away. You can’t figure out how much you need to save if you haven’t decided on how long you’ll be in your destination. After you say “I’m going to Paris,” add “for 10 days.

Short trips are good in that having a limited amount of time forces you to use each day more fully.

Traveling for a month or longer is ideal if you want to explore multiple countries in a region. 

Many people who travel indefinitely do so with a specific intent. Taking an extremely long trip abroad is an alluring prospect, but could be maddening especially if you don’t have any purpose.

Step 7 - Places of Interest to Visit?

Sketch out the major activities you want to enjoy and how much they cost. Make any last-minute adjustments to your savings so you can ensure you have enough money. This will also help you figure out if you need any reservations for your chosen tours or activities.

Step 8 - Tell Your Card Companies You’re Traveling

No matter how long you’ll be gone, it’s a good idea to let your credit card companies know you will be overseas; that way any transactions that you make aren’t flagged as fraudulent and your card is less likely to be blocked. There’s nothing worse than having to sit on the phone with your credit/debit card company instead of enjoying your vacation.

Step 9 - Buy Travel Insurance

While a lot of people think “I’m healthy, I don’t need travel insurance. I won’t get sick,” travel insurance is much more than just medical protection. It covers you when your camera breaks, your flight is canceled, a family member dies and you have to come home, or something is stolen.

Travel Insurance is something you will need on the road. You never know what might happen, and most health plans won’t cover you overseas. A friend of mine never thought she would break her leg while breakdancing or break her camera in New York. Another friend never thought she would break her leg hiking; yet another friend certainly didn’t expect her father would die and she would have to fly back home.

By using this post as a guideline, you can better organize and prepare for your trip. You’ll check all the boxes, not miss anything. It can be as simple as booking a flight and packing or as complex as rearranging your entire life to go backpack the world forever.

But no matter your trip length, this list will help you stay organized as you prepare to step onto that plane and out into the world.

P.S. Yes, I did leave out visas and vaccinations, because needing those isn’t as universal as the other stuff on this list, but don’t forget to check if you need those, too!

Why you must go on a vacation....

Oh no! I don't  have that huge amount to waste on travel,something terrible might happen,time flies when you are having fun on a holiday,maybe when you are older,fear of the unknown are likely reasons you give for not taking a time off to go on a vacation,right?Well, maybe they shouldn't be.

A quick one.You don't necessarily have to be as wealthy as  Bill Gates to embark on travel to a new destination,somewhere you've never been before.You can travel on a low budget and still make fun out of it.All you need to do is to plan ahead and save bit by bit in other to make that dream vacation come true.It could be a local tourist centre or abroad.All i'm saying is this,at least once a year,take time off work and look for a new place to go have fun,cool off,relax your brains and forget the hassles of work environment.You can take your family along,go with friends,invite your colleagues or you equally go solo,oh yes!You read me right.

There are things i love about going on a vacation.Those new people you meet,you can mingle with new communities,new culture,it is not just being in different cultures, but being open to immersion: learning the language, adapting to an alternate way of life,eat food you've never tasted before,rediscover yourself and that way you can stretch the perceived time of your vacations, expand your memories in a youthful-like way, and return home with more creative ideas.

If you are confused on how to kickstart  your next vacation or as a first time vacationer,don't worry because we will be giving you tips on how to plan your next trip to a new destination........in our next post. 

Stop Postponing Your Travel Dreams

Hi, we're VQI Travel Services Ltd. We believe life is not about being stuck in the hamster wheel working to pay bills. We're on a mission to help you create better memories through travel.