As a global travel hub, Dubai Airport offers countless non-stop passenger flights to over 230 destinations. And with the Emirati passport ranked first globally, with UAE passport holders able to travel to 179 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival, the outbound tourism market is considerable.

But as frequent Emirati travelers can tell you, travel always entails risk. From theft and illnesses to canceled flights, travel, while life-changing, is inherently risky. And when you’re planning your next jet-setting holiday, chances are, you’re not thinking about the risks.

Luckily, you don’t have to. Travel insurance provides you with a safety net, no matter where you travel. If there’s one thing you should always pack with you when you travel, it’s travel insurance.

The Importance of Travel Insurance

Some travelers overlook travel insurance as just another expense. But just as you wouldn’t risk driving a car without car insurance, you certainly shouldn’t travel without travel insurance.

If an emergency were to occur while you’re abroad, your coverage policy would reimburse the cost of the expense. No matter if it’s something as simple as missing a flight or something more serious like you getting sick and needing medical care abroad, travel insurance will cover the big financial aspects of your trip.

Without it, you’ll be forced to pay everything out of pocket, possibly forcing you to cancel or end your trip early. And while credit cards will offer some sort of coverage, their policies have limitations and may not cover important expenses like medical care or evacuation costs.

Of course, in most cases, your trip will go exactly as you hope it would. But just as you may never end up using your car insurance coverage if you’re lucky, knowing you’re covered gives you the confidence and peace of mind to get behind the wheel.

The peace of mind you get is the reason why it's 100% necessary to have travel insurance when you go abroad.

3 Tips for Finding the Right Travel Insurance Plan

Now that you know you should never travel abroad without travel insurance, let’s get down to the business of selecting the right insurance coverage for your travel needs.

Like other types of insurance, choosing the right plan can be confusing and overwhelming. To ensure you have the right travel insurance policy the moment you board the plane, here is what you need to know.

1.Know the Basics of Your Travel Policy

When it comes to travel insurance, don’t just choose the cheapest plan available. You may quickly find that the coverage it provides is not relevant to your trip. Take some time to research your trip’s destination and the coverage criteria you may require.

Typical insurance coverage includes:

Medical expenses (emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, etc.)
Cancellation expenses (weather, cancellation for personal reasons, trip interruptions, etc.)
Loss or delay expenses (lost baggage, baggage delay, missed flight connections, etc.)
Evacuation expenses (medical and/or non-medical evacuations)
Life insurance
Hazardous sports insurance (snowboarding trip, scuba diving trip, and other sports activities)

For certain expenses like medical fees, you’ll want a policy that has a minimum coverage of $50,000 to $100,000. This will ensure any hospital bills you may incur while traveling are covered. The same goes for evacuation expenses.

2.Know the Different Types of Insurance Available

Now that you know what to look for when it comes to coverage, let’s explore the different types of travel insurance plans. Knowing the different types of insurance plans will make it easier for you to find the right insurance package for your trip.

Travel insurance plans can be broken down into five different categories:

Single Trip

Ideal for travelers who take one trip outside of the UAE every year, this type of insurance provides coverage for a specific trip lasting up to three months. This is a cost-effective option for travelers who are looking to take an extended trip like a cruise.

Annual Multi-Trip

Any traveler who takes multiple trips per year, like retirees or business travelers, should opt for annual travel insurance. This insurance plan provides comprehensive travel protection for 12 months. This plan can be renewed yearly, providing significant convenience for travelers constantly on-the-go.

Family Trip

A family travel insurance plan is a convenient way to bundle everyone’s coverage into a single insurance plan. Family trip insurance can be purchased as single-trip coverage or annual multi-trip coverage.

Schengen Trip

To travel through the Schengen states in Europe, travelers must obtain a Schengen visa. One of the requirements of visa application is proof of travel insurance. Schengen insurance will expedite your required insurance certificate so you can start enjoying visa-free travel through the Schengen zone.

Sports Trip

Participating in extreme and adventure sports while traveling (snowboarding, surfing, mountain biking, etc.) requires specific coverage. Conventional travel insurance won’t always cover high-risk holiday activities.

Sports travel insurance includes special provisions to take care of you should you need emergency medical assistance while on your adventure trip.

The premiums for all of the insurance plans above are determined by certain factors such as the age of traveler, trip cost, duration of travel, optional coverage, and deductible amounts.

3.How to Get Coverage

The best way for travelers to find deals on travel insurance is to compare policies from different insurance plan providers. Using a travel insurance comparison site will allow you to quickly compare the many insurance plans available.

Simply provide some basic information about your trip and yourself. In no time at all, you’ll be provided with a list of policies and rates. You can filter the policies according to your preferences, needs, and budget.

If you already have existing insurance coverage such as home insurance, life insurance, or car insurance, inquire with your insurance provider. Since you’re an existing client, you may be able to include travel insurance into your existing account.

Certain credit cards also provide travel insurance coverage though you shouldn’t rely solely on credit card coverage as the policies cannot be customized to meet your specific travel needs.

AUTHOR BIO

Erin Daniyel is the VP for Revenue Operations at Rubicon Project and spokesperson for CompareDubai, an online comparison portal which provides customers with a one-stop platform to compare insurance quotes offered within the UAE. CompareDubai delivers quotations from a number of insurance providers covering a range of products, from Car Insurance to Motorbike, Yacht and Boat, Medical, Life, Business and Home Insurance.