Travelers Insurance

Getting sick or injured in France, like anywhere other than home can be expensive and scary. Reciprocal healthcare arrangements between France and other countries are limited to those within the European Union and the majority of these are based on emergency procedures. However, travel insurance is not just about medical expenses. It can also cover loss of luggage or other personal belongings such as passport, money, repatriation costs, cancelled or delayed flights and damage that you may cause to third parties is also covered in many cases.

Say for instance, someone in your immediate family is so ill that you must cancel your trip to be with that person. The right policy would cover the cost of payments you can’t get back from the tour operator. What if your airline cancels your flight because of a weather warning? The right policy will pay for your extra night’s lodging at that expensive hotel.

It is easy to see why a comprehensive travel insurance policy is not only highly recommended, we require all our clients have travel insurance with a minimum of medical emergency assistance, personal accident and liability cover. We require at the time of final booking that you supply us in writing of the policy name, number and emergency phone number numbers so we can better manage any emergencies that might arise during your Journey.

Several websites compare trip insurance policies among various companies. You put in the trip dates, your age and the cost of the trip and the website will pull up a list of companies offering possible policies. For the US & Canada Insure My Trip and Trip Insurance Store let you compare policies from several companies. Look at Travel Guard because it has proven to be worth the money on some of our trips. For the UK, the Money Supermarket does the same.

Types of Insurance Plans: While not meant to be all inclusive or extensive, here are general descriptions for various types of travel insurance plans you can consider. They vary by provider, so make sure you read the fine print carefully.

Package Plans: These plans are designed for travellers going on a single trip. They can be used for Cruises, Tours, Flights, House Rentals and a world of other trip types. Most offer Trip Cancellation, Baggage, Medical, Dental, Emergency Evacuation, 24 Hour Traveller Assistance, Baggage Delay, Travel Delay, and Accidental Death Coverages. Some Plans also have options for Collision/Damage coverage for rented cars, Flight Insurance (a form of Accidental Death Coverage while flying only) and added Emergency Evacuation insurance. Some package Plans include coverage for children at no extra charge.

Travel Medical Plans: These plans provide Medical Coverage for travel up to a year in length. Some include coverage for evacuation, flight, accidental death, limited baggage, and trip interruption.

Flight Accident Plans: These plans are designed for travellers going on a single trip and provide coverage for Flight Accident Insurance (a form of Accidental Death Coverage while flying).

Multi-Trip Medical Plans : These plans provide annual Medical Coverage for multiple trips throughout the year. All plans have trip length restrictions of either15, 30 or 70 days. Some include coverage for evacuation, flight, accidental death, limited baggage, and trip interruption.

Medical Evacuation Plans: These plans provide protection for travellers in the event they become seriously ill or injured while travelling. They provide emergency medical evacuation to the nearest appropriate care facility or on some plans, to your hospital of choice. They also include coverage for repatriation of mortal remains.

Travel Major Medical Plans: These plans are designed for travellers who are going abroad for at least 6 months and require more permanent insurance. These plans provide comprehensive medical protection including emergency medical treatment, wellness care and optional prescription drug coverage. Like most major medical Plans, these plans contain both in and out of network coverage, deductibles and co-payments and have the added travel benefits of accidental death and emergency medical evacuation protection.

Accidental Death Plans: Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) policies are designed for travellers going on a single trip or can be written on an annual basis for individuals, businesses, or groups. These policies provide protection in the event of a loss of life or dismemberment injury sustained while travelling.

Travel Insurance links for North Americans

• Insure My Trip
• The Trip Insurance Store
• Travel Guard
• Travel Insurance Review – Making travel insurance easy to understand. Review and compare plans and prices for your next trip

Travel Insurance links for the UK & the EU

• Money Supermarket
• Go Travel Insurance
• Saga