The bags packed, you're ready to go... what could go wrong?

It all seems so simple: passport in one hand, bag in the other and only a short walk to Customs before enjoying the holiday you've waited all year for... But someone in front of you has let a suitcase go astray and you trip over it, falling and breaking your arm... what else could go wrong

This is when you wish you had travel insurance. Like most agencies, we'll be saying to anyone wanting to travel that if you can't afford travel insurance, you most probably can't afford to travel... savvy travellers purchase travel insurance in order to protect against the potentially staggering financial costs resulting from crises such as cancellation of a big trip due to death or illness of a family member or a required emergency medical evacuation.

No longer is travel insurance only about covering medical expenses, cancelled flights or lost luggage; it can now be tailored to suit your individual needs, and above all it's affordable.

The following is a brief summary of the protection that can be offered under travel insurance.

Trip cancellation or interruption Full reimbursement for any non-refundable penalties incurred on prepaid arrangements if you must cancel or interrupt your trip due to covered medical conditions or other specified causes affecting you, immediate family members, or your travel companions... Some insurers offer to reimburse the costs if you suffer an accident or need to return home due to a covered event outside your control... weather, airline strikes, terrorism, bankruptcy, becoming unemployed, jury duty or their home being rendered uninhabitable due to fire/ flood etc.

Resumption of journey
If you have to return home early due to an unexpected death of a relative, some insurers will offer cover for the costs of resuming an overseas trip. Note, however, the word "unexpected".

Travel delay
Reimbursement for additional meals and accommodation expenses if the journey is delayed for more than a certain number of hours. Delays due to industrial action and - even worse - weather are far more common than you might think... Some plans also cover costs associated with catching up to a cruise should a delay cause the traveler to miss embarkation.

Emergency medical/dental Coverage
For emergency sickness or injury while on your trip, you will be covered for the costs of medical, surgical, hospital, ambulance, emergency dental and additional expenses... Almost all travel insurance plans work by reimbursing the traveler after they have paid locally for a treatment. Claims are usually paid within 7 to 10 days. Pre existing conditions are covered by most policies if the policy is purchased within (at the most) 21 days from the date the traveler made the first trip payment (deposit).

Accidental death
Limits usually apply, ranging from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the type of policy... This coverage is split into three parts-

Air Flight Accident - Covers death or dismemberment during an air flight only. Usually provides the highest amount of coverage due to a lower risk.

Common Carrier - Covers death or dismemberment while traveling on public transport such as plane, ferry, train, bus or taxi.

Accidental death - Covers death or dismemberment at any time on your trip. Usually provides the lowest amount of coverage due to a higher risk.

Emergency evacuation
Serious illness or injury may necessitate emergency air or ground transportation. Provides emergency transportation to either a local hospital in the event the traveler is unable to get there by themselves or back to a hospital near the travelers home. If family members are covered on the same policy they can return home also.

Emergency assistance
Worldwide assistance with a 24-hour hotline when you need help with lost documents, cash transfers, and other travel-related problems.

Luggage and personal effects
This provides cover for personal belongings that are taken on the trip or purchased during it. Note that there is usually a limit per item, with an overall limit for electronic equipment like cameras and personal computers. Protection extends to cover loss, theft, or damage... For airline delays of more than 24 hours, you will be reimbursed up to a reasonable limit for the additional purchase of essential items.

Travel documents
Cover for travel documents, credit cards or travelers cheques that are lost or stolen. There is usually a limit - either per item or overall

Personal liability
Cover against possible claims arising from injury accidentally caused to another person or damage to to their property. In some parts of the world the liability can be huge.

Out-of-pocket- expenses
Provides spending money for each day that you are confined in an overseas hospital.

Loss of income
Some policies provide a benefit ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 if you have an accident on a trip and are unable to work when you return home.

Domestic pets
Cover for kennel and cattery fees if you are caught up overseas by injury or an unforeseen delay.

Rental car damage
Reimburses travelers for damage or loss to a rental vehicle. It is designed to allow the traveler to decline CDW (collision damage waiver) coverage offered by the car rental companies. Liability coverage should still be purchased through the car rental company. Rental car damage coverage is also often included with the credit card used to pay for the car rental which is often identical to the coverage provided in the policy.

Cover for children
Some insurers offer coverage for dependents under the age of 21, accompanying a policyholder, at no additional cost.

Amateur or action sports
For anyone partial to skiing, ice sports, hot-air ballooning, scuba diving, bungee jumping, white-water rafting, parachuting, paragliding and so on, on their holidays, look for a policy that offers specific cover for amateur or action sports. The policy will define exactly what is covered. If your favourite activity isn't on the list, ask your insurer.



This is just a brief description of benefits. Pre-existing condition exclusions and other limitations and restrictions apply. A Certificate of Insurance outlining full terms and conditions of coverage is included with your travel documents.