‘Stranger things have happened’: for some it is a catch-cry to tell you that anything is possible. Few people have as good an understanding of just what those stranger things might be than the people who process travel insurance claims! If you have an overseas trip upcoming, you have probably purchased travel insurance against common events like losing your luggage, missing a flight, or getting ill while overseas and needing medical assistance. What you might not realize is that it isn’t only the boring events that travel insurance helps you out with. The unexpected does happen – and it happens to single group more than travelers. Here we look at some of the weird and wonderful travel insurance claims from around the world.
1. Bikinis break man’s nose
In Athens, a young man had to file a claim on his medical travel insurance for a broken nose. He wasn’t watching where he was going and walked into a bus shelter… because his eyes were taken up with a passing group of bikini clad women. Such pleasure followed by such pain! It’s like his mother was exacting revenge…
2. Free skis for lack of snow
A British lady claimed on her travel insurance after purchasing a new set of skis for a holiday, and finding that the slopes were completely dry once she arrived there. Not dry powder – just no snow. Her insurance company refunded her the cost of the skis – she mustn’t have had the option to ask for a refund from the company.
3. Expensive hide and seek game paid for
A family holidaying on the beach in Cornwall had some panicked, frantic, and finally stern words with the children after they thought it would be funny to bury the
Posts Tagged ‘Medical Travel Insurance’
7 of the Strangest Travel Insurance Claims
March 19th, 2010Prevent From Being Scammed When Obtaining Travel Insurance
March 10th, 2010
Very often, people do not get insurance for two main reasons. The first reason is they do not think that it is needed. This assumption however is very wrong. People do not realize that travel insurance will be the one and only solution that can get them out of disasters such as high costs for medical treatment, lost of luggage, etc. The second reason is they feel that travel insurance is a scam and not a benefit. Yes, it is true that many insurance companies scam customers and coverage is not provided according to their needs. Although this occurs, it should not be the reason for people not to get travel insurance whenever going for a trip.
This article will give you an idea of what not to do in order to prevent yourself from falling into a scam. Usually, insurance companies which are out to scam people are those that are unheard of or not established. My advice to you is to play safe by going for insurance companies that have either been around for a long time, or have people in the company that you know well or can trust. Another tactic that is widely used to scam people is having vague guidelines. For example, a man with existing heart problem buys a normal medical travel insurance package. During his trip, he suffers from a heart attack and is admitted into the hospital, still thinking that he is protected under insurance. He fails to realize that he got the wrong travel insurance plan and therefore is not covered.
Although there are many other tactics used by scam artists, here is a simple solution that can solve the risk of being scammed. You are advised to read the fine prints. In case you do not know what fine prints are, they are like the terms and conditions of the package. Whatever that is included in the packages and any other exceptions or exclusions will all be stated among the fine prints. And always ask for clarifications whenever you have doubts or queries.
There are a few simple steps that you should follow when choosing your travel insurance. After obtaining travel insurance and although now you are covered, I would advise you to be cautious and careful during your trip overseas. This is because robbers and thieves from countries all over the world have been using new and tricky ways to steal your money.
By: Jackson Alan
How to Get Travel Insurance
March 9th, 2010
While the world has been spinning since the beginning of time, modern life has made our lives more and more mobile. Aside from reserving your ticket and packing your bags, another important issue to consider is whether you’ll need to take out travel insurance. Here are some tips to make the process as smooth as a flight through the skies or a sail across the seas:
1. Learn if you need it.
While it’s highly advisable to take out travel insurance during lengthy trips, you might actually already be covered via your existing policies. It goes without saying that it wouldn’t be too logical to take out insurance when you’re already covered!
2. Determine which type of insurance you’d need.
Not all travel insurance is the same. So consider factors such as where you’ll be going and how you’ll get there, to figure out exactly which type of insurance you’d need to secure. For instance, if you have any health issues, then you should definitely consider taking out medical travel insurance (you should probably do it anyways since medical emergencies can happen at any time). This emergency medical insurance is beneficial not only after you arrive at your destination, but also during your travel there. Accidents can happen at any time, whether you’re driving, sailing, or flying. One type of insurance that’s particularly useful in modern times is terrorism insurance. Certain areas of the world, such as certain pockets of the Middle East, tend to be particularly volatile. So it’s better to be safe than sorry when traveling to those regions.
3. Ensure that you’ll have access to a 24-hour hotline.
Accidents can happen at any time, while you’re traveling to your destination or spending time there. That’s why you should verify that a certain policy provides you with access to an around-the-clock hotline. While this service may mean more fees tacked onto the policy’s price, it will definitely be worthwhile in the long run. Follow the Boy Scout’s mantra and “Be prepared”.
4. Learn what the policy covers.
While this may seem to state the obvious, it’s extremely important. You definitely want to avoid getting into an accident while traveling abroad, and then discovering that your travel insurance policy didn’t cover you in that situation. Also, make sure to read the fine print before signing on the dotted line. You might also have a lawyer “translate” any parts of the policy that seem like Greek to you.
5. Shop around.
As with taking out any other type of insurance, get plenty of estimates before deciding on a particular policy. A minimum of three is advisable, to help ensure that you’re getting the best deal. Should you search online or offline? The answer is: both! While hunting for travel insurance online is faster and more convenient, you can still find some solid deals through offline sources. When traveling abroad, travel insurance will help to give you peace of mind until you’re safe and sound at home. Accidents can happen at anytime, so make sure that you’re covered all the time!
By: Graham Wallner
