Travel insurance: what it covers and what it does not
Insurance is included in the tour price and most people never read it. Doctors abroad are expensive — so three things are worth knowing in advance.
What is usually covered
Sudden illness and injury: a doctor’s visit, medicines, tests, hospital if needed — things that happen unexpectedly during the trip.
In severe cases, repatriation. It is the most expensive service, and insurance is exactly why the family does not pay for it.
Some policies include lost baggage or flight delays, but not all of them.
What is NOT covered — the important part
Motorbikes and quad bikes. The most common case: someone rents a scooter at the resort, falls, and the policy does not pay. Planning a desert quad safari? Check first.
Anything that happens under the influence of alcohol. Nearly every policy excludes it.
Flare-ups of chronic conditions. If you are on ongoing treatment, you need a specific add-on.
Pregnancy-related events and extreme sports (diving, parachuting, skiing) usually need separate cover.
What to do if something happens
Call the insurer’s hotline first — the number is on the policy. They tell you which clinic to go to and take on the payment.
If you see a doctor and pay yourself, reimbursement gets harder: insurers require prior notice. So call first, then go.
Keep a photo of the policy on your phone and save your operator’s number. A sick person should not be hunting for paperwork.
Still have questions? An operator will advise you free of charge.