Travelling unprotected

> Malaysians going overseas worry most about travel mishaps yet many fail to adequately insure themselves against these

LET’S FACE it, every time we enter into a new year, most of us would carefully examine the calendar to plan how to make full use of the long weekends and public holidays.

But sometimes, our holiday plans don’t work out due to current world affairs.

Reviewing the tragic events that took place last year – the Zika virus outbreak, the volcano eruption in Bali, terror attacks in major cities around the world – it’s enough to say that people are getting more and more worried about what could go wrong during their travels.

A recent survey conducted by Tune Protect reveals that Malaysians fear travel mishaps the most, yet fail to protect themselves.

The Tune Protect Travel Trend Survey found that health epidemics and natural disasters are the two most-feared issues while travelling, followed by terrorist threats and political unrest.

Economic outlook and the depreciation of the ringgit falls under the second major concern category, which is understandable since nine out of 10 Malaysians are always on the lookout for value-formoney holidays.

Despite these, there are still many who refuse to be affected by such concerns; they remain committed to travelling.

They may opt for shorter trips (over 70% of those surveyed), preferably to destinations where the Malaysian currency is perceived to be higher, usually within the Asean region. Another way to go around this problem is to be equipped with an all-inclusive travel protection. Tune Protect group chief executive officer Razman Hafidz Abu Zarim ( below) explains: “A smooth trip needs three Ps – planning, packing, and protection. “Most people forget about protection. Our survey found that it’s ranked as the least important element when planning a trip.” With thoughts of safety and cost weighing heavily on the minds of most travellers, Razman adds that travel insurance is more relevant than ever.

“More Malaysians need to consider the true cost of remaining unprotected,” he says.

While some 94% of travellers surveyed agree that insurance gives them peace of mind, the reality reveals that a significant number still fail to make travel insurance a priority because they believe they can avoid mishaps by being more careful.

It is reported that at least seven out of 10 Malaysian travellers have personally experienced costly travel delays, last-minute cancellations, a need for medical assistance and even emergency evacuation.

Razman says: “As a leading digital insurance provider, we hope to bridge the gap between the positive perception of travel insurance among travellers and their actions.

“As it stands, nine out of 10 Malaysians already believe that travel insurance is easy to buy and accessible.”

Still, the survey discovered that 60% of Malaysians are unaware that travel insurance includes benefits that start before the trip begins and extends after they return.

A comprehensive protection plan includes benefits such as reimbursement for damaged, lost or stolen belongings, and non-refundable expenses like hotel, cruise and tour bookings, 24-hour medical assistance, as well as lesser-known benefits such as pre-flight coverage and follow-up medical treatment.

For example, pre-flight coverage includes trip cancellation in the event the policy holder or a family member is hospitalised due to illness or accident, and for a missed departure if the confirmed, scheduled flight is missed due to disruption in the public transport service.

Post-flight coverage, on the other hand, includes reimbursement for loss or damage of luggage or personal effects, including baggage damage upon arrival or return, and follow-up medical treatment for up to 30 days after the incident in the policy holder’s home country.

For more about Tune Protect and Tune Travel Easy, visit Tune Protect website.