Take cover while on vacation
If you’re planning your summer travel, you should be sure your money is protected. Because you probably are spending thousands on this vacation, make sure you are prepared to deal with emergencies and unexpected turn of events.
Having the right insurance in place can be a big relief, especially if you’re already stretching your budget to cover the travel and accommodation expenses. In addition, you will be able to maintain lower stress levels if things turn unexpectedly in the wrong direction.
The good news is: In many cases you might not need to buy extra insurance. You can find insurance coverage within reach if you look for it at almost no cost or very little additional charge if bundled with your purchases. Here are the types of insurance you should consider.
■ Travel insurance: If you’re savvy, you probably have booked your flights and tickets months ago. If so, how sure are you that you will be able to complete the trip as planned. You might be pretty sure when you bought your flights and booked your hotel, but as the date becomes closer, you may find yourself having to deal with an emergency that requires you to reschedule.
Many airlines would offer you insurance at a small charge when you buy your tickets. Hotels often offer free cancellation within a particular period ahead of your stay. Having these protections in place can help you make a better decision and save a good amount of money.
Some credit card issuers also offer similar protections. If you don’t want to pay extra for insurance, look at the benefits you’re getting from your credit card provider, you may be surprised that your travel is protected.
■ Car rentals: Your car insurance might not cover you car rental if you’re travel domestically or abroad. Additional car insurance purchased along with your car rental can be expensive, although worthwhile if you don’t have a choice.
Similar to travel insurance, you may get car rental insurance from your credit card provider if you pay for the car using your credit card. Don’t assume this benefit, however. Check the benefits of your specific card as well as the exclusions and coverage.
■ Heath insurance:
Some European countries will require you to buy health insurance for your destination just to get a visa. Although you might cringe at this, you might see the point if you check the cost of health care for a tourist. In general, knowing that you have some insurance when you’re travelling can give your peace of mind. Remember, you and your family can catch anything from minor infections or cold to serious issues like broken bones or surgeries while you’re travelling. If your UAE insurance doesn’t provide international coverage, your health care bills can be too expensive to handle.
Make sure you check with your health insurance provider if there is an option to add international coverage before you travel. If not, look for independent travel insurance provider. Make sure you know exactly what you would do in case of a medical emergency in your destination. In addition, inquire when you will you need to pay out of pocket, and then get reimbursed. If that is the case, you should plan to have access to extra cash for emergencies.