Travel insurance is growing more digitized nowadays. Rather than dealing with paperwork and making phone calls, certain aspects of a traveler’s protection plan can be accessed and managed online/
Travel insurance apps can help protect and assist a traveler, but what services are offered may depend on a company, destination, plan, etc.
Being aware of what may be available can help a person understand and utilize their plan, and be assisted in the event that an emergency takes place.
What Can a Travel Insurance App Help With?
As stated, an app is a resource that can be used to assist a traveler in accessing certain aspects of their protection plan. Not every company offers the same services nor do they guarantee 100% reimbursement for expenses. Below are some examples of services that can be offered by a travel insurance company:
Check insurance policy/coverage
Access emergency assistance
Claim reimbursement
Upload receipt/documents to the policy
Find medical facilities
Contact insurance company overseas
Receive travel alerts
Access digital insurance documents
A traveler should be aware that although many various services can be accessed, a company may have limitations depending on a plan and/or location. Another thing to be mindful of is that an application is only a tool, and the success of it mainly depends on the information that a person enters into it.
Digital Claims/Submission for Reimbursement
One of the main benefits of certain travel insurances is being able to claim reimbursement digitally.
It allows a traveler who has incurred expenses and sought coverage under their travel insurance plan to be reimbursed for said expenses digitally via an app. A traveler should be aware that in order for a claim reimbursement to be approved, an insurance company may require documents verifying expenses to be submitted to them, some companies may even offer digital reimbursement. A traveler should also keep in mind that based on a company, plan, and location, various options can be available. Although a person may be able to claim digitally, an app is only a tool and what a traveler inputs is what mainly matters.
Emergency Medical Assistance Overseas
Medical emergencies are some of the worst situations that a traveler can be put in, not to mention especially overseas due to language barriers and other obstacles.
Certain insurance companies may offer 24-hour assistance programs to help travelers navigate through them and receive the care that they need. Additionally, some companies even offer telemedicine and other virtual services. Below are a few things to consider before traveling:
Is emergency medical assistance covered?
Maximum coverage reimbursement for medical expenses
Preexisting conditions that are not covered
Whether or not preapproval for treatment is needed
How to contact the assistance program
Whether or not the facility can be billed directly
A traveler should keep in mind that an insurance company will not reimburse for all expenses incurred, and a plan’s factors determine what is covered.
Location Based Safety & Travel Assistance
Some travel assistance programs offer location based services that can prove to be very useful for a traveler overseas.
Depending on a company, a traveler may be able to use an app to locate medical facilities, pharmacies, and other services in the event of an emergency. Certain assistance programs also offer safety alerts, and weather related ones for a traveler’s area as well. These programs are extremely beneficial for:
International travelers
Families with children
Business travelers and frequent flyers
Remote workers and digital nomads
Travelers going to non-English speaking countries or ones with unfamiliar systems
A traveler should not rely on an app during an emergency and instead seek the necessary authorities. The assistance programs should also be used, but authorities should be contacted first and foremost during an emergency.
Insurance for Digital Nomads & Remote Workers
Digital nomads and remote workers spend more time overseas compared to the average leisure traveler, which means that they may need a different type of plan. Certain companies offer subscription or renewal plans for eligible workers that intend to stay abroad for longer durations of time. Depending on a company, remote workers may also be able to update their policies online for more flexibility. Below are a few things to consider regarding insurance for digital nomads:
Length of a trip
Countries covered by a plan
Maximum medical coverage
Evacuation in the case of an emergency
Coverage for valuables and devices
High risk activities and sports
Renewal requirements for a plan
Visa and residency requirements
A standard travel insurance plan is not ideal for a digital nomad due to how long they may be abroad, therefore it is important for a remote worker to find a plan that best suits their needs.
How to Choose a Digital Travel Insurance Policy
Having a convenient mobile application is not the most important factor when choosing a policy. A traveler should first compare coverage between different plans and then decide based on convenience. Below are a few important factors to consider when comparing travel insurance plans:
- Medical coverage
What is the maximum amount reimbursed for medical expenses? What is included/excluded?
- Trip cancellation/interruption:
Is trip cancellation/interruption coverage appropriate for the traveler’s needs? Coverage is usually provided for certain reasons, so a traveler should research what is covered.
- Baggage coverage
What is the maximum reimbursement for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage? What are the requirements for baggage coverage?
- Emergency assistance
Is assistance available 24/7? How can a traveler contact the assistance program overseas?
- Exclusions
What are the restrictions for a plan before purchasing? This includes activities, locations, preexisting conditions, etc.
- Claims
How are claims submitted and what are the requirements for submitting one? A digital claims process may be very convenient, but it should not be the sole reason for choosing an insurance plan. It is important that once a person selects a plan, they keep the digital or physical copy of their insurance document accessible.
Keep Important Travel Documents Accessible
Even though some insurance services are digitized nowadays, it is always a good idea to make sure that important documents are accessible in the event of an emergency. Before departing, a traveler should make sure that they can access important documents such as
Insurance policy
Insurance or emergency assistance number
Passport details
Flight/accommodation information
Medical documents
Receipts for valuable travel purchases
A traveler should also make sure that they save important information offline in the event of an emergency where their phone may be broken, lost, or without service.
Final Thoughts
Digitized insurance services and solutions have made it much easier for a traveler to manage their coverage before and during their trip. Having a mobile application or online portal can provide a traveler with many benefits. It is important to use technology as a tool, but also make sure that a selected plan offers adequate coverage for a traveler’s needs. The most ideal way of choosing a plan is to compare what is covered and excluded, how claims are submitted, and how assistance can be reached. Then, a traveler can use technology as a means to make the most out of their selected plan and its benefits.
Useful official sources of information about travel insurance
The terms and conditions of coverage, cost, eligibility criteria, exclusions, and other details of a travel insurance policy can differ depending on the provider and must be reviewed in detail by the traveler prior to the plan purchase.
Faye Travel Insurance: Information about travel security, digital claims, emergency assistance, telemedicine, and other traveler-related services. Visit Faye Travel Insurance
Allianz Travel Insurance: Information about insurance policies, emergency assistance, claims, trip coverage, and other travel-related programs. Visit Allianz Travel Insurance
SafetyWing: Information about insurance programs for digital nomads, remote workers, and individuals who spend a considerable amount of time outside their home country. Visit SafetyWing
A warning should be made that the terms and conditions of coverage, insurance details, and other aspects of the travel insurance plan can vary between providers, countries, and individual plans. Additionally, the coverage limits, eligibility criteria, and other details of the policy can also vary. Therefore, the insurance terms should be reviewed in detail prior to the plan purchase.
