Understanding the basics of travel insurance: Everything you need to know before you go

Packing for a trip is quite exciting. You plan your itinerary, book your flights, and imagine all the adventures ahead. But there's one thing many travellers forget - travel insurance!

Travel insurance protects you from the unexpected. What if you get sick abroad? What if your flight gets cancelled? What if your luggage goes missing?

These situations can derail your trip and drain your wallet. Travel insurance in Oman is now more accessible than ever, with providers like Liva Insurance offering comprehensive coverage that fits your budget and travel style.

In this article, we help you understand the fundamentals of travel insurance, including what it covers and how to choose the right one before you go.

Table of Contents:

• What does travel insurance include?
• Types of coverage
• How do premiums and pricing work?
• How to choose a travel insurance plan?
• Conclusion

What does travel insurance include?

• Medical coverage: If you get sick or injured while travelling, travel insurance covers your medical expenses. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, and emergency treatments. Depending on your plan, coverage can reach up to USD 500,000 for medical costs. This is crucial if you're travelling to countries where healthcare is expensive.
• Trip cancellation and delays: Life happens. Sometimes you need to cancel your trip due to illness, emergencies, or unforeseen circumstances. Travel insurance reimburses you for prepaid, non-refundable costs like flights and hotels. If your flight is delayed significantly, some plans also cover meal and accommodation expenses during the wait.
• Coverage limit: This is the maximum amount your insurance pays for each benefit. If your medical coverage limit is USD 100,000 and treatment costs USD 150,000, you only get USD 100,000. Know your limits before travelling.
• Baggage protection: Lost luggage is a traveller's nightmare. Your insurance covers the cost of replacing lost, damaged, or delayed baggage and personal items. You get reimbursed without the stress of dealing with airlines.
• Policy wording: This is the official document explaining exactly what your travel insurance covers and excludes. It's your rulebook. Read it before you travel.
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation: This is critical coverage. If you need emergency medical evacuation to receive proper treatment, insurance covers those costs. If something serious happens, your remains are repatriated to your home country. This benefit alone can cost thousands without insurance.
• Trip curtailment: This covers your losses if you need to cut your trip short and return home early. It reimburses unused accommodation and travel costs.
• Travel inconvenience benefits: Have your travel documents been stolen? Your money goes missing? Your visa gets rejected? Travel insurance covers these situations with reimbursement for specific amounts depending on your plan tier.
• Personal liability: If you accidentally damage property or injure someone while travelling, your insurance covers the legal costs and compensation claims up to your limit.
• 24/7 Emergency assistance: All Liva travel insurance plans include round-the-clock emergency support. You can call anytime for help with medical emergencies, travel issues, or urgent assistance.

How do premiums and pricing work?

Travel insurance premiums depend on various following factors.

• Your age and health status: Younger, healthier travellers typically pay lower premiums. Age is a major factor because older travellers are statistically more likely to face health issues.
• Destination country: Where you travel affects your premium. Travelling to developing countries or countries with higher medical costs may increase your premium. Travelling within the GCC region is usually cheaper than travelling internationally.
• Duration of the travel: Longer trips cost more to insure than weekend getaways. Most providers offer daily, weekly, or annual options.
• Coverage limits you choose: Higher coverage limits mean higher premiums. Some particular plan covering up to USD 500,000 for medical costs costs more than one covering USD 50,000.
• Pre-existing conditions: If you have existing health conditions, disclosure is important. Some plans cover pre-existing conditions while others don't, affecting your premium.
• Type of insurance plan/strong>: Basic plans are the cheapest. Standard and comprehensive plans offer more coverage at higher costs. Choose based on your needs, not just price.

How to choose a travel insurance plan?

Choosing the right plan can be much easier if you ask yourself the right questions.

• Step 1: Assess your travel profile: Where are you going? How long are you travelling? Are you travelling solo or with family? What's your age? Answers to these questions guide your choice.
• Step 2: Determine your coverage needs: Do you have pre-existing health conditions? Are you planning adventurous activities like hiking or sports? Will you be carrying expensive items? Your answers show what coverage matters most.
• Step 3: Evaluate the value for money quotient: You need to look at what each tier covers. Don't just evaluate the policy plans based on prices, but also on the actual benefits. A slightly higher premium might include features that save you money later.
• Step 4: You must check exclusions: It is important to know what's not covered. Most plans exclude high-risk activities, claims from non-disclosure of health conditions, and travel to countries with travel warnings.
• Step 5: You should verify coverage limits: Make sure your medical coverage is adequate for your destination. Make sure trip cancellation limits match your prepaid costs.
• Step 6: Choose a trustworthy insurance provider: Liva Insurance offers comprehensive travel insurance with 24/7 emergency assistance. They've been serving customers across the GCC for over 80 years. You can trust them to be there when you need help.

Conclusion

Travel insurance secures your trip and gives you peace of mind. It removes the worry of "what if", so you can enjoy your journey completely.

Before you book your next flight, get travel insurance. Assess your needs, understand what different plans offer, and choose coverage that protects you properly.

When you spend a few dollars on insurance, it can save you thousands in unexpected situations.

At Liva Insurance, travel insurance is simple, affordable, and comprehensive. Travel with confidence knowing you're protected. Buy travel insurance online today.

Disclaimer: The limits and benefits mentioned are for illustrative purposes only. Please refer to the LIVA Travel Insurance policy wording for the actual benefits and applicable limits.