Seasoned travellers are well aware of the benefits of travel insurance. Online and in print, there are thousands of horror stories regarding travellers stranded with no funds because of stolen bags or because they missed their non-refundable flights. Reputable providers not only offer financial protection in the event of cancelled or interrupted trips, but also provide assistance in the event of a crisis during your travels – such medical or emergency coverage in the event you fall ill, reimbursement for lost or damaged property, and even evacuation services in the event of political turmoil, terrorist attacks, or natural disasters.
Best of all, when it comes to your travel insurance, online services mean that you can communicate with your provider and access their website at any time, from any Internet-enabled device. Listed below are some of the reasons how having access to your travel insurance online can save the day when you’re travelling.
No office hours
Let’s face it, during your trip it’s more than likely the reason you need to check your policy is in an emergency. Therefore, the most frustrating scenario to have is to be made to wait for business hours, especially when there’s a significant time zone difference between your home and destination countries. Being able to access your policy online means you can have the information at your fingertips at any time, thereby being able to act and make decisions quickly. For example, without cover, hospitals will most likely insist on cash upfront before treatment, which is not always possible in remote locations. Having a policy that is easily verified online ensures that you and your loved ones receive immediate and appropriate treatment without delay.
No language barrier
Exotic destinations are an adventure to visit but can be a nightmare during times of emergency. Without cover, you may have issues finding the right people to help you with your problem – such as lost documents or missed connecting flights, for example. You may find yourself having to explain your problem as best you can, with no guarantee that you are understood, and unable to make heads or tails of the response! Reputable providers not only have years of expertise dealing with travel-related issues, but have also developed a wide network of partners. This means that by being able to access your policy you’ll not only be able to find the information you need, but also someone to help you with the problem itself.
No red tape
Red tape is always frustrating, but never more so than during emergencies. It’s hard enough having to produce the necessary documents when you’re at home and you have everything on hand, but it’s near impossible when you’re in a foreign country and you forgot just exactly where you packed them or if you remembered to bring them at all. Fortunately, having access to your travel insurance online means being able to produce these documents on demand or forward them to the hospital’s email in seconds.