Coronavirus appertains to a group of very ordinary viruses. They are quite common in animals like cattle and camels. Normally transmission from animals to humans is very unusual. The new COVID-19 found its way to survive and infect a person's body and conjointly transmit between humans. This new virus has already killed as many as 3,000 individuals worldwide and has infected over 90,000 people.
Should you be buying any travel insurance when flying to coronavirus infected areas?
Travel Insurance is purchased by an individual to safeguard against delays, cancellations, loss of personal belongings, or any medical emergencies. In any of the above-mentioned scenarios, the insurance company is obliged to pay the insured with money to cover losses.
You can find many travel Insurers for your journey. However, each coverage plan will have different policies and rules about how they handle diseases including novel coronavirus. One thing that you will currently see is that some insurers will not offer any coverage when they see you have plans to visit Wuhan and the Hubei provinces of China. This is because this is the epicenter of the outbreak and companies will not risk offering coverage to a person that is likely to get sick. However, there are providers that will offer plans that can provide medical coverage if you contract the Coronavirus on your journey to other areas.
Many airlines across the globe have already either rerouted all their planes or have shut their services to heavily infected cities and countries. This is often done to quarantine the virus to one place and not enable it to spread across the globe. The governments of many countries have additionally issued a travel advisory against the affected provinces. Many insurance firms will probably not issue any new policy for these areas or encourage individuals to visit these provinces.
Types of insurance plans available
Most insurance firms will provide you a choice between two types of plans that are referred to as ‘Standard Insurance’ and 'Cancel With Any Reason' insurance.
Standard insurance usually covers cancellations and situations that are out of your control. If you travel to an area declared as a war-zone or to an area against which a travel advisory has been issued, your losses may not be covered. With ‘Cancel For Any Reason', if you drop your trip, for any reason the insurance will payout. This however comes with a premium but gives you the freedom to cancel anytime. This can be useful if you have plans to travel in the next few months but are not sure how Coronavirus may affect your destination in the future.
In most cases, insurance companies require that proof is provided before they can begin processing your request. So always make sure to keep receipts, medical records, and other documents that show the reality of your situation. It is a good idea to call your provider to get details of what you should have before submitting a claim.
If you travel fairly often, you can prefer to purchase a multi-trip policy. They provide greater advantages when compared with alternative policies and are cheaper for the number of journeys you will be taking. Otherwise, single-trip insurance can fulfill your needs.
Compensation on canceling or rescheduling due to Coronavirus
Always check with your insurance company about the details of your coverage. You want to ask them explicitly if you will be able to get compensation in case of cancellations because of the Coronavirus. Luckily many airlines are now offering free cancellations or rescheduling so you may not have to deal with your insurer. However, in cases where you do not have the option, making sure your coverage is adequate is important. To learn how Trawick International is covering the Coronavirus, read our COVID-19 FAQ page.
Looking for a trusted provider of Travel Insurance? Trawick International has been a top provider since 1998.
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Administrator at 3 Mar 2020
Can I Get Health Insurance Before I Get My Green Card?
Individuals who are working towards becoming legal residents within the United States find that obtaining healthcare can be a bit of a dance. Since most insurance plans require citizenship or a green card in order for you to be eligible, many people are left wondering if it is possible to get health insurance at all before their green card is finalized. Since health insurance is necessary for people of all ages, backgrounds, and health levels, this can cause a lot of stress. The good news is that it is completely possible to get health insurance before you get a green card. All it takes is a little extra work.
The first thing to consider when it comes to gaining access to health insurance plans is when you actually applied or your green card. Depending on when you applied for your card and a variety of other factors, you might be able to qualify for some of the plans available in the healthcare marketplace. While many plans require you to have had a green card, and for some time at that, this is not the case for all of them, so research here is key.
Depending on the circumstances by which you are in the country, you might have a couple of other options. The first option is Visitor’s Insurance. This type of insurance is known for covering people who are in the United States but are not considered citizens. Though the qualifications on these plans do vary, it might be a good place to start, particularly if you are relatively new to the country. There are many types of Visitor’s Insurance and if you need more details, call our customer helpline and one of our trained customer representatives can guide you.
As a final step, you can seek out individual short-term insurance plans. While not all of the ones available will give access to non-residents, there are many that will offer coverage. The downside here is that these insurance plans are really more focused on hospitalizations and emergencies. They are useful in the event that you get sick or are seriously injured. However, they are not helpful when it comes to general maintenance and care. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to go about accessing general care options at a reduced price if you do not have insurance that covers it. This makes it easier for many families, particularly those with children, to navigate the time between when they enter the United States and when they gain access to quality healthcare options.
At the end of the day, finding insurance before you have a green card is a process. It is true that there are many programs and policies that you will not have access to. However, there are options available as long as you are willing to put in the research to find them. Be thorough when you are looking for insurance options that you qualify for, and you should be able to bridge the gap while you wait for your green card to come through.
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Administrator at 20 Feb 2020
What Does Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions Mean for Travel Insurance?
Acute onset of preexisting conditions is a concept that is part of any travel insurance policy. In most every case, a preexisting health conditions are not covered under travel insurance. The only exception to this is acute onset of a preexisting condition, but this can get fairly tricky when it comes to travel insurance policies. In order to understand how it might impact your insurance experience, we must first breakdown the definition of acute onset as well as the terms by which travel insurance operates.
To begin with, acute onset of preexisting conditions means that you or someone that you are traveling with has a known preexisting condition and experiences a very sudden health concern while abroad. The biggest distinguishing factor here is that the health problem must, quite literally, come out of nowhere. While it is fine if the preexisting condition raises the person’s chance of this health risk, the problem itself must arise quickly and without warning. For example, you might be diabetic and at risk of certain health problems relating to your blood sugar levels. If you have recently been experiencing problems and the issues arise again while you are traveling, this would not be considered acute onset. However, if you have been doing fine and suddenly find yourself going into diabetic shock, this would be considered acute onset and should be covered.
When it comes to paying out these kinds of insurance claims, you can rest assured that your traveler’s insurance company will do everything they can to determine if you had any prior indication that there was a risk of the event occurring. They might look into medical records, ask you if you have been experiencing any recent symptoms that could have tipped you off, and more. This is because preexisting conditions as a whole are not covered by these insurance plans, which means their job will be determining if this was a fluke or just a part of your preexisting condition that you should have been aware of.
Choosing traveler’s insurance can be difficult because of this, and if you are traveling with someone who has a preexisting condition, it can be that much harder. Make sure that you look into the policies that you purchase so that you are aware of what to expect. It always pays to seek out reviews and see how companies handle this sort of situations. Trawick International has a customer support hotline where specialists can answer all your questions and make sure you get the right plan.
The fact that you or someone you know has a preexisting condition should not stop you from your travels. With a little extra time and research, you can go on your travels prepared with an understanding of what your insurance covers. In the event you have been experiencing any recent problems, it is important to recognize that your services might end up not being covered. As long as you go into your travels aware of what your insurance covers, you should be able to travel without worry.
Looking for a trusted provider of Travel Insurance? Trawick International has been a top provider since 1998.
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Administrator at 14 Feb 2020
What Travel Insurance Is Best For Seniors?
Travel insurance for seniors is a tricky subject as not many companies offer comprehensive cover at affordable prices. Traveling abroad with your aged parents or relatives is always risky, especially if they’re above 70 years of age. They’re more likely to experience health issues that can spoil the trip and lead to large expenses and bills.
Buying travel insurance for seniors can be extremely beneficial as they provide cover against several untoward incidences. The type of travel insurance you choose for traveling abroad depends on factors such as your duration of stay, your general health condition, and activities that you wish to participate in while traveling.
Things to consider before buying travel insurance for seniors:
- Duration of Stay – The longer you’re going to stay abroad, higher the chances of losing baggage, falling ill or an accident. Thus, you’ll have to choose a plan that covers all these; however, such a plan would be more expensive than just a medical travel insurance plan for seniors.
- General health condition – If you suffer from critical illnesses like a heart ailment or liver disease then you must choose a medical travel insurance that covers everything from hospitalization to medicine and from critical medical care to evacuation. Your general health condition needs to be factored into the decision before choosing a policy.
- Activities you wish to participate in –Even a short cab ride can be strenuous for seniors and accidents can occur during some simple activities like strolling on the beach. However, you must still plan accordingly and make a list of the activities that you wish to participate in while traveling. Now, depending on the nature of your activities, you must choose a plan that offers you the highest coverage.
Reasons why seniors should always buy travel insurance
- Stolen baggage: If you’re 70 or above and still have a wanderer’s soul then you must get a travel insurance that covers your luggage. There’s nothing more frustrating than lost luggage with valuables during your trip. However, travel insurance that covers lost or stolen luggage can be immensely beneficial while traveling.
- Trip Cancellations: Inclement weather and unforeseen circumstances can often lead to trip cancellations. If you don’t wish to lose your hard-earned money due to flight delays or cancellations, then it’s imperative you buy a travel plan that cover these specific circumstances.
- Pre-existing Medical Conditions: You will be compelled to buy waivers if your travel insurance doesn’t provide holistic coverage. Buy a travel medical insurance that covers pre-existing medical conditions.
- Medical Emergencies: During international trips, seniors are more prone to falling ill than their younger counterparts. Seniors need to buy medical travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, which include both hospitalization and the cost of medicines.
- Medical Evacuations: Seniors need to make provisions for emergency medical evacuation because travel medical insurance for seniors don’t cover transportation costs. Thus, it’s important to get a medical coverage that includes emergency medical evacuation, if such a situation arises.
Seniors need to take extra care while traveling abroad, especially to non-English speaking nations. In an emergency, it can be hard to find someone who you can communicate with effectively. Decent travel insurance covers emergency assistance and travel advice. Selecting the right type of coverage for your needs is done with thorough research before leaving on your trip.
Get a travel insurance quote for seniors today.
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Administrator at 2 Feb 2020
What Travel Insurance Do I Need for Thailand?
Thailand features on the list of top 10 tourist destinations in the world and travelers get to experience everything from amazing nightlife to jungle adventured. If you are excited about visiting this colorful country, then it will be wise to buy travel insurance. It’s may not be mandatory, but trip coverage helps you travel in peace and gives you financial protection from untoward incidences like accidents, baggage loss, medical care, and even cancellations.
In order to be safe and avoid travel annoyances, you can always buy a travel insurance plan that offers decent cover for your needs. There’re different types of insurance policies that covers almost anything that you plan to do in Thailand. Here’s a list of travel insurances that you can choose from before departing for a fun-filled tour of Thailand:
- Travel Accident Insurance
Along with term life, accidental death, even dismemberment is covered by travel accident insurance policies. Flight or travel accidents may also be of concern, so travel accident policies cover such losses. This insurance also offers other financial assistance to cover emergency evacuations, baggage loss, dental and medical expenses, and repatriation. You can avail all the benefits during your entire Thailand trip and it’s particularly beneficial for frequent travelers visiting risky locations.
Your general health insurance won’t be any good when you travel to Thailand. It’s best to get a travel medical insurance plan that acts as an extension for covering dental, medical, and even evacuation costs while you’re traveling. Travel medical insurance policies are quite affordable, as it doesn’t provide cover for incidents like trip cancellations. However, there’re some insurance plans that cover delayed trips or lost baggage.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance
In case you suffer from a critical illness or suffer a catastrophic accident, you might need emergency medical evacuation while traveling to Thailand. Medical evacuation insurance is the perfect financial cover to take care of your hospitalization, evacuation, and even return trip for minor family members. There are plans that offer term life and extra benefits covering adventure sports, trip interruptions, and lost luggage. Your loved ones and family members will appreciate medical evacuation insurance in case you’re hospitalized while traveling to Thailand.
This is the most popular and comprehensive travel insurance plan because you can get a customized plan as per your travel needs. Usually, this type of plan covers everything from evacuation to luggage problems and medical costs to trip delays and cancellations. Some plans even cover pet care, identity theft assistance, credit card, passport services, rental car collisions, adventure activities, roadside assistance, lost luggage, sports equipment, evacuations, and return of minors.
Trip delays and cancellations cannot only spoil your holiday mood but lead to financial losses. Thus, travel insurance policies will come in handy while traveling to this beautiful and exotic country. However, it’s imperative to check out all the terms and conditions pertaining to the travel insurance plan before buying. Research online and search for a plan that suits your travel needs and insurance requirements.
- Coverage for COVID-19 (Update to Blog 11/12/20)
Thailand requires travelers to have some form of travel insurance that covers COVID-19 for the duration of their stay. Trawick International offers a variety of trip cancelation and travel medical plans that cover COVID-19. For more information on how we cover COVID-19, check out our COVID-19 page.
Click below to get a travel insurance quote for your trip to Thailand.
By
Administrator at 30 Jan 2020
