a tag on a case travel insurance for your trip to Ireland
Photo: William Potter.

Travel Insurance Explained: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Trip to Ireland

Is travel insurance something you typically purchase when you travel to domestic and/or international destinations?

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Most people never bother with it, assuming everything will go as planned while they’re traveling away from home.

But as we all know, the unexpected can happen — and if Covid-19 has taught us anything, it’s that we should be prepared.

If you’re thinking of purchasing a policy before your next trip abroad or you’re just curious to learn more, then keep reading.

What is Travel Insurance?

Not to be confused with the travel insurance that you can purchase as an additional cost on top of your airfare, independent travel insurance is different in several ways.

An airline’s protection coverage is often provided by the airline through a third-party insurer like AIG, for example.

Photo: leungchopan
Photo: leungchopan

It is considered a “light” type of insurance coverage as opposed to purchasing an independent travel insurance policy.

Flight protection plans usually cover flight delays, trip cancellations, or trip disruptions, as well as lost, damaged, or stolen luggage (the reimbursement will be based on the plan’s limit).

It will also cover you if you are unable to fly due to a medical reason.

Read More: Tips for Travel to Ireland: Picking the Right Credit Card

Why Take Out Comprehensive Travel Insurance?

Most comprehensive plans offer more than the regular airline coverage.

The benefits include medical, dental, and general emergency evacuation procedures, 24-hour traveler assistance, and accidental death benefits, to name a few.

a pair of glasses and a pen on paper travel insurance explained
Photo: twenty20photos

Michelle Green, the founder and travel advisor of Conversational Traveler, a New York City-based full-service boutique travel agency specializing in customized luxury bucket list and celebration travel, advises her clients to purchase insurance for both their flights and accommodation.

“Often, travelers book these separately and potentially miss opportunities to select travel insurance tailored to their needs and planned experiences,” Green explains.

Since comprehensive travel insurance plans can vary per plan and are based on the company offering them, it’s a good idea to look at the fine print before you sign on the dotted line.

people kite surfing in ocean travel insurance explained
Kite surfing off the County Donegal coast is one of the adventure sports that you can try while visiting Ireland. Photo: Chris Hill, Tourism Ireland/Failte Ireland.

For example, some offer additional coverage for rental car damage and adventure sports while others give you the option of adding on additional premiums to your policy.

In fact, Green says you don’t need to be planning an adventure trip to consider travel insurance coverage.

“Travel insurance may cover the cost of missed connections, cancellation because of illnesses, and Cancel for Any Reason, which may suit a client’s personal situation. These are not limited to international travel.”

Travel Insurance in a Post-Covid World

Since Covid will most likely be with us in the long term — albeit much more manageable in most patients — it's not surprising that many tourists may be thinking of purchasing coverage.

women wearing masks on a plane travel insurance explained
Photo: astakhovyaroslav

Green says that Allianz Travel offers coverage for epidemic-related illnesses, but your plan must include the emergency medical care benefit.

Squaremouth, an industry comparison provider, recommends that you purchase a policy with at least $50,000 in coverage for international travel.

Chelsea Capwell of Travel Insurance Master says that the trip cancellation plans the company provides cover canceled trips if you get sick or test positive for Covid.

The company uses an algorithm that aims to make it easier for potential customers to find the right travel insurance plan for them that is not solely based on price

The new algorithm aims to make it easier for customers to find the right plan and help them make good decisions about travel insurance that aren’t based solely on price.

“Trip Delay provides coverage for additional hotel expenses and meals if you are delayed due to quarantine required by a physician on your trip,” says Capwell, referring to one of the company's Covid-19 cancellation plans.

Photo: Twenty20photos.
Photo: Twenty20photos.

“Every policy has different trip delay maximums and/or daily limits,” she adds.

There are other companies that also offer some form of travel insurance for Covid illnesses, but you will need to examine them carefully before purchasing.

In addition to Allianz Travel, others include AXA Assistance USA, Battleface, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, Cat 70, Generali Global Assistance, GeoBlue, Global Underwriters, HTH Travel Insurance, iTravelInsured, the John Hancock Insurance Agency, Inc., Nationwide Mutual Insurance, Seven Corners, Inc., Tin Leg, Travel Insured International, Travelex Insurance Services, TravelSafe, Trawick International, USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services, World Nomads, and WorldTrips.

What You Can Expect to Pay for Coverage

To give you an idea of what you can expect from an insurance provider, below you will find information on what a company like World Nomads, popular with younger travelers, and what Travel Insurance Masters offers.

World Nomads

While World Nomads specializes in sports/activity-related coverage, the company’s coverage is good for anyone traveling abroad.

money in a jar travel insurance explained
Photo: rthanuthattaphong

If you are planning adventure activities in Ireland such as mountain climbing, scuba diving, kayaking, rock climbing, diving, or sailing, to name a few, you’ll be covered by a World Nomads plan.

The company offers two plans, Standard and Explorer.

The Explorer plan offers higher limits and additional adventure sports coverage.

The price of your policy will depend on the length of your trip and the country you are visiting.

Here is an example of the kind of coverage an average tourist might expect to get with World Nomads.World Nomads Logo

Trip Cancellation – $2,500 coverage limit Standard Plan; $10,000 coverage limit Explorer Plan
Trip Delay – $500 coverage limit Standard; $1,500 coverage limit Explorer
Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense – $100,000 Standard; $100,000 Explorer
Emergency Evacuation – $300,000 Standard; $500,000 Explorer
Repatriation of Remains – $300,000 Standard; $500,000 Explorer
Non-Medical Emergency Transportation – $25,000 Standard; $25,000 Explorer
Baggage & Personal Effects – $1,000 Standard; $3,000 Explorer
Baggage Delay – $750 Standard; $750 Explorer
Rental Car Damage – Not included on Standard Plan; $35,000 Explorer
Accidental Death & Dismemberment – $5,000 Standard; $10,000 Explorer
General Global Assistance 24/hour – Unlimited under both plans
Total Policy Cost – Standard $79; Explorer $142
For more detailed information, visit the World Nomads website.

Travel Insurance Master

Travel Insurance Master, a Massachusetts-based company, partners with some of the world’s leading travel insurance providers but more importantly, it uses a smart algorithm and easy-to-use filters that provide you with a policy that is the best one for your unique trip and needs.

a blue suitcase travel insurance explained

When giving you a quote, Travel Insurance Master will give you a side-by-side comparison, making your decision so much easier, says Travel Insurance Master representative Chelsea Capwell.

All you have to do is enter the total cost of your trip, provide the number of insured travelers in your party and let Travel Insurance Master do the rest.

Below is an explanation of how easy it is to purchase travel insurance with this new and emerging travel insurance company.

What Kind of Policy is Right for Me?

This all depends on what you’ll be doing while on vacation in Ireland or any other destination.

a man typing on a laptop travel insurance explained
Photo: Rawpixel

If you have a premium credit card like The Business Platinum Card from American Express, which offers $10,000 insurance coverage per trip, you may just need minimum travel insurance coverage.

Whatever provider you choose, you will need to pay attention to what is and isn’t covered.

Some insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions, so check that before you pay.

Would you consider paying for such protection before you travel? Let me know in the comments below.

colette

Colette is a County Sligo native who created Ireland on a Budget to provide her readers with money-saving tips on how to get to Ireland and then save even more when they're there. She's a professional copywriter who lives in the New York area with her husband and two children.

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