Have you ever considered long term travel insurance? There are various kinds of travel insurance for you to choose from. So, when travelling far away from home, what is the best long term travel insurance? How do you know whether it is the right one for you?
Travelling around the world is an exciting experience. However, it can be tiring and stressful at times. And to deal with all these challenges, one needs to prepare well in advance.
Travelling for a month or a year requires different kinds of preparations. For instance, long-term travellers need to make sure that they have taken care of their passport, visas and other documents and secured them in a safe place. Moreover, they should be prepared to handle any medical emergencies that may arise while travelling.
Thus, getting the best travel insurance becomes very important before you set off on your travels. And this is where Best Long Term Travel Insurance comes into the picture! The following guide will help you understand what long term travel insurance is and why it is needed by travellers travelling abroad.
What is long term travel insurance?
Long term travel insurance is a particular type of travel insurance designed to meet the needs of individuals planning to be away from home for an extended period.
Purchasing a long term travel insurance policy can be an essential step in preparing for an extended trip. It can provide peace of mind, knowing that you are covered while travelling abroad, and it will assist you in the event of an emergency or illness while on your trip.
When purchasing long term travel insurance, it is essential to understand what is included in the policy and what coverage options are available. Many long term plans can be customized to fit your needs by adding additional coverage to suit your requirements.
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Why is long term travelling different?
Travelling for an extended period is completely different from travelling for a few days or weeks. You are in a foreign country, and you have to be so much more careful. You have to buy travel insurance as an organized traveller. Living abroad can be very dangerous, especially if you haven’t planned.
The best thing you can do is get yourself the best long term travel insurance you can find. If you aren’t sure what to look for, continue reading for more information.
Why do I need travel insurance?
There are many reasons you need to obtain travel insurance before you leave. Travelling without first getting travel insurance can be a dangerous thing to do. If something untoward happens during your vacation, you need to know that there is a safety net for you to fall back on.
The money you have saved up for your holiday doesn’t cover the cost of medical care abroad or the flight home. Your travel insurance should be able to cover any expenses that arise, such as repatriation, medical treatment and emergency assistance.
Who should get long term travel insurance?
Long-term travel insurance is ideal for people travelling internationally for at least 9 months or those who plan to do a lot of travelling within a given time frame. If you’re taking a 3-4 month trip worldwide, don’t buy long term travel insurance. It doesn’t make sense to pay for it.
If you are planning on travelling abroad for less than three months and your primary reason for buying travel insurance is coverage while you’re there, you will most likely be better off avoiding long-term plans.
Long term travel insurance plans can also be purchased by a person who travels extensively to various countries in one year. Yes – it’s possible to get a single policy that works across these regions.
If you love to travel and plan to do a lot of it in the upcoming year, then long term travel insurance is a wise choice. Rates may vary based on where you’re going, but in general, they’ll be much lower than annual policies because they only have to cover you for up to nine months.
What kind of insurance do you need as a long term traveller?
In general, there are 5 different types of policies that cover your needs as a long term traveller:
1) Trip Cancellation Insurance – Covers if you need to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances.
2) Trip Interruption Insurance – Cores if you need to cut your trip short due to unforeseen circumstances.
3) Medical Insurance – Covers medical expenses and medical evacuation if necessary.
4) Emergency Evacuation – If something wrong happens on your trip requiring an emergency evacuation, this policy will help you get home safely.
5) Accidental Death & Dismemberment – If something wrong happens on your trip resulting in severe injury or death, this policy will help you financially.
Travel insurance vs Health insurance
Travel insurance is generally much more comprehensive than health insurance. It covers a wide range of risks, such as cancellation due to sickness or injury, lost or delayed baggage, inadequate seating on an aircraft, loss of passport and even death.
Travellers are also covered for medical expenses and emergency repatriation. Some policies will cover your costs for dental care and dentures during the trip.
Another critical area is legal protection. This can cover you for anything from personal liability to accidents while abroad.
On the other hand, health insurance only covers you for specific ailments and procedures related to your pre-existing conditions – it doesn’t protect against accidents. There are several exclusions – any pre-existing condition you have before buying a policy could be excluded from the cover plan, even if it was diagnosed after you bought it.
So if you’re travelling with a pre-existing condition and decide to get travel insurance instead of health insurance, make sure you check your policy carefully first.
Review travel insurance options based on your budget
For many travellers, deciding on the best travel insurance policy is essential before booking their trip. Travel insurance companies often offer a variety of plans that vary in terms of coverage and cost. Comparing plans will help you choose the right plan for your trip based on your budget and needs.
The policies differ vastly from one company to another, so consumers should carefully review their options to find policies with the best combination of coverage, price, and benefits.
Travellers on a budget will want to pick an affordable travel insurance plan that covers their needs. Find out your options, know what to look for and which features you should prioritize when picking the best travel insurance policy for your trip.
Here is Top 10 Long Term Travel Insurance Companies where you can compare their packages.
1. SafetyWing
This company provide a range of options for all types of travellers, including gap year students, backpackers and long stay travellers. They are reputable and offer great value policies at reasonable prices. They have an online quotation system to check exactly what is covered and get an instant quote.
2. World Nomads
This is an extremely popular option with travellers because they offer a wide variety of policies at very competitive prices. They have been around for many years and have great customer service.
3. Travelex Insurance Services
Travelex Insurance Services specializes in providing extensive travel insurance for your journey. They have a wide range of travel insurance plans that can meet your trip’s needs and budget. They provide coverage for medical emergencies, lost luggage, trip cancellations, trip interruption, and much more. Check out their website today to get a quote!
4. Allianz Global Assistance
Allianz Global Assistance offers some of the most flexible policies on the market, and its support staff is available 24 hours a day via phone and email. The company also has offices worldwide, so you can seek help from a local agent if necessary. As you’d expect from a company with such a global reach, Allianz offers policies that cover travellers all over the world.
5. IMG WorldWide
IMG provides its clients with multiple coverage options, including trip interruption/cancellation, emergency evacuation and more. This company is a great option for international travellers exploring the world while staying safe and secure.
6. AIG Travel
AIG Travel Guard is the best long term travel insurance company. It covers everything from medical emergencies to stolen baggage and even cancellation. This travel insurance company offers coverage for up to a maximum of 12 months at a time, and you can renew your plan when it runs out without requiring you to reapply. The protection that the AIG Travel Guard provides is truly global, as it covers all your trips around the world. It also provides a 24-hour assistance hotline for any claims that you may have during your time of need.
7. AXA Assist
AXA Assist offers policies for single, multiple, and annual multi-trip policies. The medical coverage includes emergency medical evacuation and repatriation and healthcare expenses, including treatment at private clinics. In addition, there is cancellation cover, lost or damaged baggage, personal liability and legal expenses cover, journey interruption, baggage delay or loss and even some legal assistance if you have an accident or get taken ill while abroad.
There is also a range of optional extras for those who need it, such as mobile phone insurance, family travel cover, winter sports cover, and specialized plans such as backpacking, gap year travel, and safari. Most customers who have reviewed the company say that it is great value for money and that claims are easily processed. They also say that the staff are friendly and helpful.
8. HTH Travel Insurance
HTH Worldwide provides comprehensive travel insurance plans to travellers around the world. With HTH, you can rest assured that you are protected against any possible circumstances that may arise while travelling.
Travelling has never been safer, but it is prudent to be prepared for anything that could go wrong. HTH is a leading provider of travel insurance in the U.S. and offers a variety of plans to best fit your needs.
9. Seven Corners
Seven Corners Travel Insurance is a specialist travel insurance for backpackers and adventure travellers. They provide personal and group travel insurance for your backpacking trip, gap year, working holiday and overseas work assignment.
10. Generali Global Assistance USA
Generali Global Assistance USA offers a flexible policy that gives you the coverage you need at a price you can afford. They have some of the best rates and benefits and 24/7 customer service available in many languages.
Trip cancellation coverage and emergency medical assistance are included for free! Other benefits include 100% coverage for lost or damaged luggage, trip interruption, baggage delay, rental car collision and delays, and more.
Explore what is covered and what isn’t
Most travel insurance policies will not cover your trip if you have pre-existing medical conditions that require care and medication while travelling. For example, if you have a heart condition and take daily medication, your policy will not pay medical bills associated with hospitalization or accident treatment if it’s related to this condition.
Get travel insurance before your trip
One of the most important things you can do before travelling abroad is to find a good travel insurance plan. Long term travel insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that if you injure yourself while on your trip, you’ll be able to get medical attention without having to pay out of pocket.
Travelling overseas without long term travel insurance is a risky business because it’s likely that something terrible will happen during your trip. You could fall ill and need medical attention, get into an accident, or experience a robbery.
Where to buy a long term travel insurance
If you want peace of mind when travelling abroad, make sure that you are fully covered with comprehensive travel insurance from SafetyWing. They offer comprehensive travel insurance policies designed to protect you from accidents, illness and injury without putting a strain on your budget.
There are many factors to be considered when purchasing a long term travel insurance policy, including:
Deductible: A higher deductible will lower your premium. However, if you have an accident or illness and have a claim, you will pay more out of your pocket.
Necessary Coverage: This is usually where the best companies differ from the rest! They will cover what you need and give you back some control of your expenses.
Country Restrictions: Some countries don’t allow coverage from any company. Read the fine print closely in your policy.
Your Medical History: If you have a medical condition that could cause complications with your trip, it’s essential to find a plan that will cover your specific needs without charging an arm and a leg for it!
You should research each of these areas and make sure the plan you choose is right for you.
Like everything else in life, travel insurance is not to be taken lightly. It’s not something that you switch without rhyme or reason. You need to take the time and find out everything you can about your travel insurance before making your final decision.
What’s more, you must know what to look for in a policy, along with all of the features included in each plan. Once you know what type of travel insurance is best for your situation, you’ll be glad that you took the time to take the necessary precautions.