Travelling is a piece of cake these days, thanks to constantly advancing technology and attractive airfares. Rather, there are many who take multiple trips in a year, and this is especially true for business or corporate travelers, travel bloggers, and those who have the habit of taking sudden trips when the mood and convenience strike! And a multi-trip annual travel insurance plan is best for them, since you won’t have to buy a brand new plan every single time you travel in the same year. This is not only convenient for frequent travelers, but also cost-effective. Read on to know more:
Coverage offered by multi-trip insurance
What your multi-trip insurance plan covers will depend on the insurance company generally. However, medical emergencies, accidental deaths, delay and cancellations, baggage loss, loss of valuables and money, airline failure and legal expenses are usually covered by most multi-trip plans. Remember to go through the fine print carefully before you decide to buy a plan. Some insurers might have a limit on how many trips they will cover in a year. Also, 31 days of consecutive travel are usually covered for every trip. Here is a detailed look at what all might be covered:
Medical coverage – Under a multi-trip insurance, you will be covered for medical emergencies and can avail cashless treatment. Emergency dental treatmentsand medical evacuation via land/air from distressing situations will be covered as well, and you will get daily cash allowance in case of hospitalization.
Death/disability coverage–In case of accidental death or permanent disablement, the insurer will offer your family or you lump-sum compensation. This can make the lives of your loved ones or your own future a little more secure. The insurer will also bear the costs of transporting your mortal remains to your homeland in case of death.
Baggage coverage–It is wise to get a multi-trip insurance policy as it will protect you against loss of personal documents like passport and even lost baggage. The cost of getting a new or duplicate passport will be reimbursed this way. You will also be compensated for the loss or delay of checked-in baggage.
Other coverage–In case of an emergency like theft or robbery, you willbe provided with cash by the insurer, to tide over the situation. If you are responsible for third party damage by accident, the insurer will pay for it as well. Under a multi-trip insurance, you will get compensation for the anxiety caused by any hijacking, flight delays and even extended hotel stays in case you are recovering from an emergency medical condition.
Why choose multi-trip insurance?
If you are someone who travels three or more times in a year, taking a multiple trip annual insurance makes perfect sense. It will be considerably cheaper than buying three separate insurance plans. Also, every time you plan a trip, you won’t have to go through the process of comparing quotes from different insurance companies, all over again. Many companies make it simple to renew these plans as well, without having to extend or upgrade.
Things to note while buying multi-trip insurance plan
It is necessary to ensure adequate coverage when you are buying multi-trip insurance. Here are some points you should consider:
- Decide if you need coverage for your gadgets or another policy is already insuring you.
- If you are planning on going for adventure sports, you might need extra coverage in case of accidents.
- If you are suffering from a pre-existing medical condition, declare it before you buy the insurance, to avoid future hassles. This also holds true if you are currently undergoing any diagnostic tests.
- Find out if the insurance company has any upper age limit, as this could affect your chances of getting insurance or a claim.
- Ask if there are any locations that are not covered by your Travel Insurance Plan.
- Make sure that the insurer has tie-up with a large network of hospitals, so that you always have access to the best medical care no matter where you are.
- It is also important to find out if the insurance company makes it easy to renew the multi-trip plan. This can be immensely handy if you are someone who travels every now and then, year after year.
- Before you sign the dotted line, ensure that the claim settlement process is simple and transparent. Companies offering in-house settlements are usually more reliable.
Exclusions under multi-trip insurance
Usually, no insurance company will cover you for any self-inflicted injury or suicide attempt, or hospitalization for the same. You won’t be covered in case you consume intoxicating substances, have pre-existing diseases, undergo cosmetic treatments, or participate in adventure sports that pose risk to your life. You can however avail add-on covers for sports and pre-existing conditions.
To conclude
So, you can see how opting for a multi-trip Annual Travel Insurance can make your life so much easier and control your costs too. All you need to do now is spend some time initially to compare quotes from three or more insurance companies and then take a call. You won’t need to do this comparison in future. Do remember to clear up your doubts about number of trips allowed, maximum number of consecutive days allowed, and what to do if you are not sure about your total trip cost. Ask if any travelling companion will be covered by the policy too. Asking the right questions can prevent future hassles effectively.
