Travel Insurance

1) Start with your profile and trip 🧭

• Destination(s) and total trip length.
• Trip type: leisure, study, work, exchange, digital nomad, cruise, adventure.
• Planned activities: skiing, diving, hiking, car rental, sports.
• Traveler profile: solo, family, senior, student, pregnant traveler, chronic condition.
• Budget vs. risk tolerance: what can you pay out‑of‑pocket in a worst‑case scenario?

2) Medical coverage and assistance 🏥

• Emergency medical care limit per person meets destination reality (e.g., USA often needs higher limits).
• 24/7 assistance in your language (phone, app, WhatsApp, email).
• Direct billing with hospitals whenever possible (to avoid paying upfront).
• Telemedicine included for minor issues.
• Hospitalization, surgery, ICU covered.
• Pharmaceuticals and outpatient care included.
• Dental emergencies included.
• Medical evacuation and repatriation with adequate limits and coordination.

4) Pre‑existing conditions and pregnancy ❤️

• Clear policy on pre‑existing conditions (covered, partially covered, or excluded).
• Medical stability requirement satisfied (e.g., stable for 90 days).
• Pregnancy coverage: up to which week? Emergency complications included?
• Newborn care scenarios considered if traveling during late pregnancy.

5) Baggage, delays, and trip protection 🎒

• Lost, damaged, or delayed baggage limits per person and per item.
• Receipts or proof requirements understood (photos, invoices).
• Delay coverage: meals, hotel, transport thresholds (e.g., 6+ hours).
• Trip cancellation and interruption: covered reasons (illness, injury, death in family, weather, strikes).
• Supplier default or bankruptcy included?
• Missed connection coverage (especially for multi‑segment or self‑connect itineraries).

6) Adventure and sports coverage 🧗

• Hazardous activities explicitly included (ski, snowboard, scuba to X meters, trekking to X altitude).
• Equipment coverage (own or rented).
• Professional or competitive sports excluded or add‑on available.
• Mountain rescue or search and rescue limits clearly stated.

7) Car rental and liability 🚗

• CDW/LDW add‑on or primary rental car insurance available.
• Personal liability insurance limit adequate (third‑party injury or property damage).
• Exclusions: off‑road, driving under influence, unauthorized drivers.

8) Service quality and claims process 🤝

• 24/7 multilingual support with multiple channels (phone, app, chat).
• Claims portal is simple, mobile‑friendly, and secure.
• Time limits to file claims noted (e.g., 20–30 days after return).
• Required documents checklist saved (tickets, receipts, medical reports, PIR for baggage).
• Real customer reviews and response times checked.

9) Policy fine print (read this!) 📜

• Deductibles or copays per event understood (prefer zero or low).
• Exclusions: war, riots, illegal acts, high‑risk activities, alcohol/drug‑related incidents.
• Coverage territory and country‑specific restrictions (sanctions, embargoes).
• Age limits and premium differences for seniors.
• Primary vs. secondary coverage clarified (who pays first).
• Currency, reimbursement method, and FX considerations.

10) Price, value, and timing 💸

• Compare total value, not just price: limits, assistance quality, exclusions.
• Buy early to unlock cancellation protection from booking date.
• Multi‑trip or annual plans vs. single‑trip: cost benefit calculated.
• Family or group discounts applied.
• Add‑ons bundled only if relevant (don’t overbuy).

11) Documentation and compliance 📑

• Policy certificate in English and PDF saved offline on your phone.
• Emergency numbers saved in contacts and pinned in messaging apps.
• Destination‑required minimum coverage met (e.g., Schengen, Cuba).
• Names, dates, passport numbers correct on the policy.
• Pre‑authorization steps understood for non‑emergency care.

12) Special profiles: tailored tips 🎯

• Families: look for child coverage, family discounts, and one contact for all.
• Seniors: higher medical limits, pre‑existing condition coverage options, no hidden age surcharges.
• Students/Exchange: long‑stay plans, study interruption, tuition reimbursement.
• Digital nomads: multi‑country, outpatient care, routine checkups add‑ons, long duration.
• Luxury travelers: high medical and evacuation limits, VIP assistance, concierge, trip curtailment.
• Adventure travelers: explicit sports coverage, search and rescue, equipment.

13) Red flags before you buy 🚩

• Very low premiums with vague or low medical limits.
• No 24/7 live assistance or no support in your language.
• Complex claims with excessive documents or short filing windows.
• Many exclusions hiding in endorsements.
• No clarity on pre‑existing conditions or pregnancy.

14) After purchase: activate and prepare ✅

• Confirm coverage dates match your flights (including overnight layovers).
• Save policy and claim instructions offline and share with travel companions.
• Pack essentials for claims: copies of IDs, tickets, prescriptions, medical summaries.
• If you need care: contact the assistance line first for guidance and direct billing.

Quick comparison template (copy and use) 📝

• Medical limit (per person):
• Evacuation and repatriation:
• Pre‑existing conditions and pregnancy:
• COVID‑19 and quarantine:
• Baggage (lost/delayed) and trip delay:
• Cancellation/interruption and covered reasons:
• Adventure/sports:
• Car rental and liability:
• Deductibles/copays:
• 24/7 assistance quality (channels, language):
• Claims simplicity (docs, portal, time limits):
• Total price and value:

Essence: the best travel insurance matches your destination risks and personal profile, offers strong medical and evacuation limits, 24/7 assistance in your language, clear exclusions, and a simple claims process—without surprise deductibles. 🧠