To get or not to get travel insurance? It shouldn't even be a question.

Must I get travel insurance before going on a trip? A question many seasoned travelers don't even ask themselves.

Sara Tiambeng Silva, Marketing Manager of GTS explains why travel insurance is a must, almost as important as your passport.

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What are the different types of travel insurance?
1. Single trip (domestic & international travel) – single round trip - 180 days max per trip
2. Annual coverage (domestic & international travel) – unlimited number of round trips per year, 90 days max per trip

What does Travel Insurance usually cover?

Travel insurance covers medical expenses, personal accident, flight cancellations, evacuations, loss, delays, and 24/7 hospital assistance.

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What are the documents required to claim travel insurance for the following scenarios:
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- Emergency trip cancellation benefits
  - Proof of advance payment made for travel fare and accommodation expenses, penalties and other irrecoverable pre-paid charges related to the trip
  - A full and original doctor’s report on the Emergency Medical Treatment made on the Insured or his relative within the degree of relationship specified in the Policy, or in case of death, a photocopy of the death certificate
  - Any satisfactory legal document proving trip cancellation with the non-refundable portion specified (e.g. Travel Agency’s certification, letter from the airline to the Travel Agency or client stating that the carrier can’t refund the airfare, statement from the hotel or documentation regarding non-refundable policies when reservation was made and paid)
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- ‍Flight delays
  - Original irregularity report issued by the airline/carrier, stating the reason of the delay
  - Original itinerary (e.g. itinerary issued by the travel agency prior to commencement of trip)
  - Any documentation showing actual flight taken (e.g. boarding pass, updated itinerary, flight irregularity report detailing the actual schedule)‍
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- Baggage delays, theft/lost or damage
  - Original baggage irregularity report issued by the airline or carrier in case the delay occurred while such baggage was under their custody
  - Original acknowledgment receipt or form stating the exact date and time when the baggage was retrieved
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- Medical or accident claims
  - Original and full medical report (pertaining to the confinement) from the hospital or attending physician/s (e.g. clinical abstract/admitting history, discharge summary, etc.)
  - Original itemized statement of account from the hospital
  - Original official receipts with payment details
  - If with surgical operation, photocopy of the operative report
  - Photocopy of the laboratory results
  - Photocopy of doctor’s prescription for home medication
  - If accident related, original police report/accident report‍
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- If insured gets hospitalized abroad, are all hospital expenses covered by insurance upfront?
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  This depends on the insurance plan of the client. Lower plans are usually on reimbursement basis only, while medical expenses can be covered upfront by the insurer for higher plans. All insurance companies have travel assistance partners with 24/7 hotline. Note that not all plans and insurers have coverage for pre-existing conditions.‍