Traveling is something that many people like and even business trips gain an air of fun in some possible free day. Some travelers prefer the warmth of destinations with the best beaches, others prefer cold weather in urban or mountain settings. In these experiences, we always acquire knowledge about the place, especially when it is an international destination. But for everything to work out on the tour, it is necessary to analyze some points – and international travel insurance is one of the main ones.
Speaking of the points that must be observed on the trip, it is worth remembering that we need to review them even before leaving. Planning is the key to the success and fun of the tour. For this reason, knowing a little about the destination, checking the amount of money to take and the region of accommodation is very important.
Something that needs to be highlighted is hiring international travel insurance for your route. This service is the main factor in the requirements to go on an adventure to a destination, as it protects you against various risks during your stay outside your country. In some places, such as Austria, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands, insurance is mandatory under the Schengen Treaty.
However, the traveler must always do so, regardless of the conditions of the destination country, since insurance is the only form of protection for various unforeseen events that may occur during the trip, such as lost luggage or the need for medical attention.
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How does international travel insurance work?
International travel insurance is like a temporary health plan with coverage in several countries for the time you are traveling. Generally, this service is offered in two modalities: assistance or reimbursement.
In the case of assistance insurance, in the event of any unforeseen event, the insured must contact the insurance operator directly. Thus, she can forward him to the available accredited network without him having to pay any cost. In the reimbursement modality, the beneficiary is free to seek any hospital or doctor. However, he must pay for all the procedures to then request reimbursement from the insurance company.
Although many people consider this service unnecessary, the truth is that having international travel insurance can bring more security, tranquility, and, above all, savings for your trip. This is because, contrary to what happens in Brazil, most countries do not serve foreigners free of charge in the health network. Thus, if any unforeseen happens, the traveler will not have to bear the high expenses that may occur due to unexpected medical care.
What does good insurance usually cover?
International travel insurance services may vary from one insurer to another. However, after a resolution by the Superintendence of Private Insurance (SUSEP) in 2014, some basic coverage was established, such as:
- medical expenses for accidents;
- the treatment itself;
- medicines;
- transport;
- expenses related to the total or partial disability;
- funeral assistance and repatriation in the event of death.
Many insurers also often offer:
- compensation for lost luggage;
- costs of legal expenses;
- compensation for the cancellation of the trip ;
- rebooking the ticket for return.
In addition, if the destination of your trip includes the practice of extreme sports, it is also recommended to take out travel insurance for sports. This is because most insurers do not include coverage for these situations.
Is it mandatory? And how much does it cost on average?
Many people stop taking out travel health insurance because they believe the cost will be too high. However, the truth is that it is not so.
In general, some factors directly influence the value of insurance, such as:
- dollar quotation;
- travel duration;
- chosen coverage;
- destinations visited;
- insured profile.
However, it is still possible to hire good insurance with values between 5 and 45 reais per day. It is worth remembering that this is a minimal cost when compared to the values of medical care in countries such as the United States. Thus, international travel insurance is not only a guarantee of tranquility and economy but is also mandatory for entry into some countries. Generally, each nation has its requirements in this regard.
Schengen Treaty and mandatory international travel insurance
To address the issue of travel insurance, it is important to cite the Schengen Treaty. This agreement was made to facilitate the movement of European citizens within Europe itself, but the content should not be confused with the European Union. This is because not all countries are part of the group of nations, but they are still part of the treaty, like Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. To know all the countries that participate in the treaty, just click on this link where we talk about the Schengen Treaty.
For participating countries, travel insurance is mandatory with a minimum value for coverage of 30 thousand euros. Ireland, which is not part of the treaty, also requires travelers to have travel insurance but does not require a minimum amount.
Latin America
In all of Latin America, only two countries require international travel insurance: Venezuela and Cuba. To enter Venezuela, the traveler must take out insurance for a minimum amount of US$40,000, which will cover medical care, medical and funeral repatriation.
To enter Cuba, the value is lower: 10 thousand dollars and the coverage is for medical assistance.
Australia
Australia is one of the most sought-after destinations by Brazilians who want to exchange. For those who want to go to the country, it is good to know that international travel insurance is also mandatory. For students wishing to spend time on exchange abroad, the Australian government asks Brazilians to purchase the Overseas Student Health Cover, which costs an average of AUD$174.33 for 4 months (or R$489.30). OSHC provides access to all public services of hospitals and doctors in the region.
How to use international travel insurance?
When purchasing international travel insurance, tourists have a 24-hour call center for guidance on any questions regarding procedures or coverage.
Thus, if there is a need to activate the insurance coverage, just contact the responsible company so that it can guide you in the best possible way to the most suitable place for service. In general, the most important tip on how to use international travel insurance is to be aware of the costs of any service, because, if the amount exceeds the insurance coverage, it must be paid by the insured.
How and where to make one?
It is possible to hire the service quickly and practically through the internet. However, the most important thing at this point is to make sure that you are dealing with a serious and credible company.
Minuto Seguros is the largest online broker in the country. With more than 16 partner geico insurance companies, we offer freedom for our customers to choose the best prices and conditions according to their needs. So, how about starting to quote your international travel insurance with who is a reference in the subject? Get a quote online or, if you prefer, call toll-free 0800 773 3000 and speak directly with a consultant.
