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What these are depends on your personal travel habits. “There is no one ideal travel insurance policy. Depending on individual needs, the protection of different risks is relevant,” says insurance expert Gabi Kreindl from the VKI (Association for Consumer Protection). She advises: In any case, hedge against those imponderables that can cost money or even threaten your existence.
The most helpful and most common insurancesThings to think about for travelers:
- trip cancellation insurance
Travel cancellation insurance covers those costs that are incurred if a trip that has already been booked cannot be started. The reasons are specified in the terms of the contract, for example illness or death in the family. The cancellation costs are either covered in full or a deductible has to be paid. Travel cancellation insurance is recommended, especially for very expensive trips that may have been booked well in advance.
- Foreign travel health insurance
This covers the treatment costs in the event of an acute illness or after an accident abroad. Payment is made up to the amount of the agreed sum insured (e.g. treatments and remedies, costs for transport to the hospital). This insurance is recommended for trips to countries where the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid and for trips to places where medical care is associated with particularly high costs. Private health insurance can also provide benefits for foreign countries.
- Travel Accident Insurance
Anyone who enjoys vacationing in the mountains knows the danger: a thoughtless step, a brief moment of inattention and an independent descent is no longer an option. Travel accident insurance covers the costs of rescue, search and retrieval. It also pays in the event of accidental death or permanent disability. Kreindl: “People who already have private accident insurance usually don’t need extra travel accident insurance. Private accident insurance is usually valid worldwide. In any case, you should pay attention to deadlines and the definition of reasons for exclusion.”
- Travel Liability Insurance
This covers justified claims for damages against insured persons and fends off unjustified claims. Travel liability insurance only applies to the insured trip. Even better: Private liability insurance, ideally with worldwide validity.
- Baggage Insurance
Luggage insurance covers the costs of lost, stolen or damaged luggage. Delay benefits may also be included. In this case, however, expert Kreindl points out: “There is a long list of limitations and exclusions.” The insurance does not cover money, securities, tickets, documents, works of art and objects that are carried to exercise the profession. There are often individual maximum limits for electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops. There is no replacement for luggage that has been forgotten or inadequately supervised.
- credit card packages
With credit card packages, there are a few points that should be considered so that there is no risk of a rude awakening: Usually only the person whose name the card is in is insured. The insurance cover is often linked to conditions: the journey taken may have to have already been paid for with the card. The sums insured may be too low and deductibles may apply for individual services.
Source: Nachrichten
