Tag: overseas

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Travel Insurance

What does travel insurance actually cover?

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Travel insurance over 70 products vary from provider to provider. Therefore, the losses they cover are not always the same.

In this post, we take a look at what your policy might cover, and what it might not.

Cancellations

Travel insurance usually covers cancellations. Cancellations occur when you need to cancel some aspect of your trip, usually because of circumstances outside of your control.

Cancellations cover cancelled tour packages, aeroplane tickets, cruise fares, and hotel rooms. Mostly, they only apply if you cancel for qualifying reasons. For instance, they might cover cancellation costs if you lose your job, get sick, or can’t travel because of adverse weather.

Some travel insurance policies will cover you for any reason, though they tend to be more expensive.

Medical emergencies overseas

Travel insurance also usually covers the cost of medical care overseas. If you don’t have this cover, you may have to pay out-of-pocket. And, depending on where you go and the medical attention you require, that could be expensive.

Lost baggage

Travel insurance often covers lost, stolen, or damaged baggage as well as compensates for any delay in receiving your items.

Emergency evacuations

You may experience a health emergency while abroad. If so, evacuation coverage helps. This cover pays for emergency travel arrangements related to your medical care.

You can activate the emergency evacuation clause on your policy if your health deteriorates beyond a certain point, usually defined by local medical personnel. Coverage may include ambulance trips to the hospital, airlifts to better-equipped facilities, and flights back home.

Please note that evacuations can be exceptionally expensive – often reaching $50,000 or more.

Phone assistance

Travel arrangements and plans can go wrong while you are abroad. Because of this, many travel insurers offer 24/7 assistance, anywhere in the world. These services can help you if you need to get medical transportation, find your baggage, or locate a lost passport.

Additional coverage

Lastly, some groups of travellers require additional coverage to protect them against losses. For instance, if you are travelling to a dangerous part of the world, you may require life insurance. You may also benefit from hazardous sports cover which covers any medical costs you incur as a result of scuba diving or sailing accidents.

Find an insurance policy to suit your needs at Compare Insurance today.

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Categories
Travel Insurance

The different types of travel insurance, explained

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Shopping for overseas travel insurance can often seem like a minefield, with many people deciding they won’t purchase it – either because they don’t think it’s necessary, they’ve never had to use it before, or they think the process is too complicated. Nowadays, with insurance comparison sites and quick application processes, it’s easier and more affordable than ever. There are a few different types of travel insurance policies out there, so make sure you get the right one for you.

Single Trip Travel Insurance

If you’re heading to one destination for a set amount of time, then this is the type of cover you would get. Single trip travel insurance is the most basic of policies and can cover you for a variety of different events, up to a certain level of expense, depending on what you want to be covered.

Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

If you travel on a regular basis, for business or leisure, then it makes the most sense to buy an annual multi-trip policy. It’s more cost-effective and less time consuming than having to buy single trip travel insurance every time you go away. It’ll cover multiple destinations over the course of the year and can either cover European, Worldwide or Worldwide, excluding the USA, Canada and the Caribbean.

Winter Sports Travel Insurance

If you’re going on a skiing holiday or heading somewhere where you’re going to take part in a winter sports activity, then you’ll need winter sports travel insurance. These types of activities are considered riskier than those included in other policies, as there are unique situations you could find yourself in, such as avalanche delays, piste closures or serious injury.

Backpacker Travel Insurance

A backpacker policy covers you if you’re heading away for a longer period of time and jumping around between destinations. It’ll often cover you for a wider range of activities too, such as skiing and white-water rafting.

Family Travel Insurance

A family travel insurance policy covers up to two adults and eight children of the same family, provided the children are under 18 years old. This is a more cost-effective and easier option than buying separate policies, and you can purchase a single or annual trip cover.

Cruise Travel Insurance

Just like winter sports coverage, cruise travel insurance covers you for unique situations you can find yourself in with a cruise holiday. You’ll often be visiting multiple countries for an extended period of time and can experience things such as missed port departures and itinerary changes.

Over 65’s Travel Insurance

Those over the age of 65 are usually more likely to need urgent medical attention while they’re away, so the over 65’s travel insurance policy often covers extra expenses – occasionally allowing a companion to be added to the policy.

Whatever type of visa travel insurance policy you purchase, be sure to declare any pre-existing medical conditions when applying. This will often increase the price of your policy. However, it is a small price to pay for peace of mind and an appropriate level of cover.

To find the best travel insurance for your trip, head to Compare Insurance today.

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Health Insurance

Can I get tested for Covid-19 in UAE?

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If you’re worried about a persistent cough, breathing problems, high temperature, or can’t shake off a cold, it’s possible you’ve been infected by the new coronavirus. Individuals that have recently returned from overseas, and people from vulnerable groups need to be particularly careful. Although coronavirus testing is available for walk-in patients, drive through coronavirus test centres have also been established.

About the UAE drive through test centres

Drive through test centres are now available in Dubai Festival City and Abu Dhabi. Current test station locations include Al Qusais, Discovery Gardens, and Silicon Oasis. Further test stations are planned at International City and Al Warqa.

It’s not currently possible to check out all UAE citizens at this moment. Of course, if you do have the virus, it is important you get tested as soon as possible, so you need to take the following steps:

How to get tested for Covid-19 at the new UAE drive through centres

1. You’ll firstly need to complete the online health assessment tool to confirm you’re eligible for testing. At the moment the priority is to test the most vulnerable citizens, and people displaying symptoms within 14 days of return from overseas. The online chatbot walks you through the assessment, and is designed to pick up all indications of added vulnerability, such as hypertension or pregnancy. Your recent contact history will also be examined, so it’s important to be open about any contact you’ve had with other people already diagnosed with coronavirus.

2. The chatbot also provides detailed advice about action you should take, including quarantine or self isolation.

3. Your self assessment test will indicate whether you need to chat further with one of the available doctors. If this is the case, you will be forwarded for a tele-consultation and may also be given an appointment to attend your local drive through Covid-19 testing station.

4. If you are eligible for Covid-19 testing, simply arrive at the designated test station at the time of your appointment. You will be given a nasal swab by the nurse at the second checkpoint, and there is absolutely no need to leave your vehicle at all.

5. You will be advised of the results of your test within two or three days, and should self isolate until your Covid-19 test results are received

Your drive through Covid-19 test will cost Dh425 and this could possibly be covered by your existing health cover. We’re proud to offer all UAE residents the best guide on comparing health insurance, find out more about insurance in the UAE at Compare Insurance today!

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