Monday, July 2, 2007

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is insurance that is intended to cover financial and other losses incurred while travelling, either within one's own country, or internationally.

Travel insurance can usually be arranged at the time of booking of a trip to cover exactly the duration of that trip or a more extensive, continuous insurance can be purchased from (most often)[travel agents, travel insurance companies or directly from travel suppliers such as cruiselines or tour operators.

The most common risks that are covered by travel insurance are:
Cancellation
Curtailment
Delayed departure
Loss, theft or damage to personal possessions and money (including travel documents)
Delayed baggage (and emergency replacement of essential items)
Medical expenses
Emergency evacuation/repatriation
Overseas funeral expenses
Accidental death, injury or disablement benefit
Legal assistance
Personal liability and rental car damage excess

Some travel policies will also provide cover for additional costs, although these vary widely between providers.

And in addition, often separate insurance can be purchased for specific costs such as:
high risk sports (e.g. skiing, scuba-diving)
travel to high risk countries (e.g. due to war or natural disasters)
pre-existing medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes)

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