Travel insurance tips: Things to consider before purchasing a policy

Do you spend hours after hours making the perfect vacation plan but purchase your travel insurance policy at the last moment? You should realize the importance of buying a suitable travel insurance plan, which will cover your financial losses due to tour cancellation or lost baggage. This article suggests some travel insurance tips that will help you to purchase a policy as per your requirements.

8 Essential tips for buying travel insurance

At first, you need to check whether or not your existing policies provide coverage for financial losses away from your home. As for example, your medical insurance policy may cover your treatments when you’re traveling abroad. It’ll help you to avoid purchasing overlapping coverage.

Here are some more travel insurance tips that will help you choose a policy that will benefit you the most.

1. Shop around to compare rates: It is advisable that you shop around for insurance policies. It will help you to choose a policy that offers best coverage at an affordable rate.

2. Purchase policy through third party insurer: Though tour operators and travel agents sell travel insurance policies, yet it is always better to buy policy from an established insurance company.

3. Look for ways to maximize coverage: You can maximize your coverage if you purchase insurance policy at least 2 weeks before your trip

4. Look for policy with 24-hour assistance: Before purchasing a policy, check out whether or not it offers 24-hour assistance. It will help you to contact your insurance provider in emergency situations.

5. Check out which activities are covered: It is quite important to check out which activities are covered under your travel insurance policy, especially if you’re interested in adventurous activities like sky diving and bungee jumping

6. Make sure it covers personal liability: It is advisable that you check whether or not your policy covers personal liability. You may need it if someone files a lawsuit against you when you’re responsible for some accidental cause or damage.

7. Consider extra coverage option: If you’re traveling with expensive items (such as, jewelry, laptop, sports equipments, etc.), then you should consider purchasing extra coverage in order to insure those items.

8. Make sure you ask the right questions: Ask right questions while shopping for a travel insurance policy. Make sure you ask about the coverage and type of assistance the company will offer in case of medical emergency or some serious problem.

If you follow these travel insurance tips, then it’ll be easier for you to purchase a policy that will cover all your needs at an affordable premium cost.
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All the essentials about insurance

There are dozens of different types of insurance, from insurance that you have to take out by law (such as car insurance), to policies that it's a good idea to have (such as contents insurance) to those that are 'nice to have' rather than necessities.

Figures from the Association of British Insurers show that, during the recession, one in four people cancelled their home insurance. While it's a good idea to make sure you're not paying for insurance you don't need, you should always think about what would happen if disaster were to strike before cancelling any insurance policies.
How does insurance work?

When you take out an insurance policy, you pay a premium to the insurance company. If you never make a claim, you never get any of the money back; instead it's pooled with the premiums of others who have taken out insurance with a particular firm.

That may not sound like a good deal, but the idea behind insurance is that everyone pays into a pot of money, knowing that only some of them will ever need to make a claim. If you have to make a claim (perhaps because your washing machine has flooded your kitchen and damaged your floor), the money comes from the pool of your and other policyholders' premiums.
How are premiums calculated?

Insurers are professional risk takers, which means they know the probability of different types of risk happening so they can calculate the premiums needed to create a fund large enough to cover likely loss payments.

Clearly, only a proportion of policyholders will make a claim in any one period. So, an insurer will take two important factors into account when calculating the premium it will charge. Firstly, how likely it is in general terms that someone will need to claim and secondly, whether the person who wants to take out the policy is a bigger or smaller risk than the 'average' policyholder.

Take three examples. In motor insurance, a young person with ahigh-powered car, or a driver with a long history of accidents will pay a higher premium than a mature and experienced driver with a car with a smaller engine who has not had an accident before.

Similarly, the owner of a fish and chip shop will pay a higher premium for his or her fire insurance than, say, the owner of an office. The risk is greater, so the premium is higher.

Someone who is young, fit and in a risk-free job will find it easier to buy life insurance and will pay lower premiums than someone who has a heart condition or is in a risky occupation.

The level of premium is also affected by the insurance company's desire to target a particular section of the market. So, if an insurer wants to encourage younger drivers to buy insurance from it, it may decide to undercut the premiums charged by some of its rivals.
Two kinds of insurance

There are two different kinds of insurance - life insurance and general insurance.

General insurance pays out:

* If a car has an accident or is stolen
* If a house catches fire or is burgled
* If a holiday has to be cancelled

Most life policies, on the other hand, pay out when an event happens, such as when someone dies.

Anyone can buy life insurance but, the amount you pay in premiums will depend on your age, your health, and the type of work you do. The younger and healthier you are, the cheaper the premiums for life insurance. But if you work in a risky job, you'll normally have to pay more for life insurance.

Most types of insurance are annual policies. That means that the amount you pay can change every year and, if you've made a claim in the previous year or your circumstances have changed, it could affect your premiums.

However, some types of insurance, such as life insurance and insurance that pays part of your income if you cannot work because you're seriously ill, are long-term contracts. That means you don't get renewed quotes every year as the premium is set when you first sign up.

If you have a joint mortgage with your husband, wife or partner, you can take out life insurance that will pay out if they die before the mortgage is paid off. However, you can't take out insurance on someone unless you'd be financially worse off if they died.
What is the excess?

With many general insurance policies, you have to pay the first part of any claim - called the excess - if something goes wrong. The level of the excess can vary widely. For a travel insurance policy, it may be £25 - £50 while for a car insurance policy it could be £100 or more.

Sometimes insurers will impose a large excess if you've already claimed for something and you're likely to do so again, such as for flood damage or subsidence(which is when a building develops cracks because the foundations have moved).
General principles

Other principles apply to all kinds of insurance:

* Insurance can provide compensation only for the actual value of property. It cannot cover the loss of sentimental value, for example.
* There must be a large number of similar risks so that the likelihood of a claim can be spread among other policyholders. It must be possible for insurers to calculate the chance of loss so that a premium can be set which matches the risk.
* Losses must not be deliberate and not inevitable. Clearly, you could not buy fire insurance for a house which was already burning nor life insurance for someone on his or her deathbed.
* Lastly, there are some risks which have financial implications so vast that they can be dealt with only by the state. These risks (mainly those arising from war or the major escape of nuclear or radioactive material) are normally not insurable.

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Online auto insurance

When comparing on line auto insurance quotes, it's smart to compare policies to see what each company's'full coverage' offer includes. When auto insurance agencies mention'full coverage' this means you'll receive full coverage within that particular company's guiding principles and policies.

If you get a auto insurance quote online and only study the premium rate and the statements made by the company, you might be in for a huge surprise when you need to make a claim. Never blindly enter into a policy agreement merely because it is called'full coverage.' A full coverage policy does not mean the company will cover any and each thing that could doubtless happen to you or your vehicle.

Every auto insurance policy has constraints and exclusions. Limitations are typically based on your car maintenance habits. If you neglect your vehicle or fail to meet certain requirements for mechanical upkeep ( like oil changes or brake upkeep ), then the company won't cover specific sorts of damage. When reading a full coverage policy and when comparing vehicle insurance quotes online, don't only read what's covered but also read over the corporation's restrictions and exclusions carefully.

Full Coverage Policies Explained

A full coverage policy will usually include the following : guilt ( coverage amount is dependent on the legal requirements in your state ), collision, complete coverage, towing, rental compensation, roadside help, coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorist, and coverage for medical payments. The policy may also include property damage and bodily injury coverage. Though all of these might be covered by two different insurance agencies, this does not imply the policies are identical. Each vehicle insurance company is different, and these sorts of coverage are offered within a company's own policy constraints and requirements.

When obtaining auto insurance quotes online for full coverage, you must take account of your driving record, the age and cost of your vehicle, your age and gender, discounts , where you live, and potentially even your credit record. Look for quotes on policies that offer all of the coverage you need within your budget. When comparing responsibility, buy more coverage than you feel you will need if possible.

Examine Policies

Before signing on the dotted line, inspect the full coverage policy scrupulously and be certain you understand all of the coverage provided as well as the agency's restrictions. Ask for a precise quote based on your private and vehicle information, and also determine a payment schedule that will work for you. There shouldn't be any unpleasant surprises!

Some online companies might supply a downloadable list of coverage types you can receive and a policy outline. Print these and keep them for your records in case there are discrepancies in your tangible policy. You will find that online auto insurance quotes for full coverage are the most costly, but full coverage also gives you the most protection for your money. Compare quotes and policies online today to save hundreds a year for this exhaustive coverage!

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Ten Great Ways to Get Auto Insurance Quote

Auto Insurance has become a part and parcel of a vehicle purchase. It is now a mandate to have an insurance policy to take your car out publicly. There is an abundant increase in the number of companies offering their rates. It is becoming increasingly difficult to choose the best among the whole lot. There are a few ways mentioned below to understand the right auto insurance quote for your vehicle.

# It is important to go in for a cheap indemnity quotation, which is affordable and, which also suits your needs. People however overlook the cover that the policy holds. You tend to experience the limitations of the policy only at the time of claims. It is thus not important to just go in for the lowest quote, but also to understand the extent of cover that the policy holds

# By increasing your deductible or your excess payment, you are likely to get a good quote, as the quote is related directly to the deductible

# Insurance rates vary based on the model and the make of your car. If you own a posh sports car, you cannot expect a low quote for your vehicle. It will definitely attract higher rates

# It is always important to drive carefully and avoid accidents and speeding, more so when you need to get a quote from your company. The companies give a quote only after understanding the history of your vehicle

# Anti theft and safety devices can attract low rates, as your car is at a lower risk

# If you have an old policy running, try and close it before opting for a new cover

# You also need to renew your policy only at fixed times. The companies can help you with this information.

# If you have some other policy, like home policy already running with the company and would like to add your auto insurance with them, it can attract multi policy discounts. You are at an advantage to ask for better benefits being an existing customer.

# You have great rates published on the internet. It is the best place to surf and get the lowest rates possible

# It is always important to understand the terms and conditions before signing any document. The fine print on the document should not later pay heavily on your money outflow

Getting an auto insurance quote is not a difficult task, considering the competition thrown in the market. However, it is important to go in for the one best suited and well within your budget.
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What is Insurance

In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the insurance; an insured, or policyholder, is the person or entity buying the insurance policy. The insurance rate is a factor used to determine the amount to be charged for a certain amount of insurance coverage, called the premium. Risk management, the practice of appraising and controlling risk, has evolved as a discrete field of study and practice.

The transaction involves the insured assuming a guaranteed and known relatively small loss in the form of payment to the insurer in exchange for the insurer's promise to compensate (indemnify) the insured in the case of a financial (personal) loss. The insured receives a contract, called the insurance policy, which details the conditions and circumstances under which the insured will be financially compensated.

Insurability

Risk which can be insured by private companies typically share seven common characteristics:




1. Large number of similar exposure units: Since insurance operates through pooling resources, the majority of insurance policies are provided for individual members of large classes, allowing insurers to benefit from the law of large numbers in which predicted losses are similar to the actual losses. Exceptions include Lloyd's of London, which is famous for insuring the life or health of actors, sports figures and other famous individuals. However, all exposures will have particular differences, which may lead to different premium rates.
2. Definite loss: The loss takes place at a known time, in a known place, and from a known cause. The classic example is death of an insured person on a life insurance policy. Fire, automobile accidents, and worker injuries may all easily meet this criterion. Other types of losses may only be definite in theory. Occupational disease, for instance, may involve prolonged exposure to injurious conditions where no specific time, place or cause is identifiable. Ideally, the time, place and cause of a loss should be clear enough that a reasonable person, with sufficient information, could objectively verify all three elements.
3. Accidental loss: The event that constitutes the trigger of a claim should be fortuitous, or at least outside the control of the beneficiary of the insurance. The loss should be pure, in the sense that it results from an event for which there is only the opportunity for cost. Events that contain speculative elements, such as ordinary business risks or even purchasing a lottery ticket, are generally not considered insurable.
4. Large loss: The size of the loss must be meaningful from the perspective of the insured. Insurance premiums need to cover both the expected cost of losses, plus the cost of issuing and administering the policy, adjusting losses, and supplying the capital needed to reasonably assure that the insurer will be able to pay claims. For small losses these latter costs may be several times the size of the expected cost of losses. There is hardly any point in paying such costs unless the protection offered has real value to a buyer.
5. Affordable premium: If the likelihood of an insured event is so high, or the cost of the event so large, that the resulting premium is large relative to the amount of protection offered, it is not likely that the insurance will be purchased, even if on offer. Further, as the accounting profession formally recognizes in financial accounting standards, the premium cannot be so large that there is not a reasonable chance of a significant loss to the insurer. If there is no such chance of loss, the transaction may have the form of insurance, but not the substance. (See the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board standard number 113)
6. Calculable loss: There are two elements that must be at least estimable, if not formally calculable: the probability of loss, and the attendant cost. Probability of loss is generally an empirical exercise, while cost has more to do with the ability of a reasonable person in possession of a copy of the insurance policy and a proof of loss associated with a claim presented under that policy to make a reasonably definite and objective evaluation of the amount of the loss recoverable as a result of the claim.
7. Limited risk of catastrophically large losses: Insurable losses are ideally independent and non-catastrophic, meaning that the losses do not happen all at once and individual losses are not severe enough to bankrupt the insurer; insurers may prefer to limit their exposure to a loss from a single event to some small portion of their capital base. Capital constrains insurers' ability to sell earthquake insurance as well as wind insurance in hurricane zones. In the U.S., flood risk is insured by the federal government. In commercial fire insurance it is possible to find single properties whose total exposed value is well in excess of any individual insurer's capital constraint. Such properties are generally shared among several insurers, or are insured by a single insurer who syndicates the risk into the reinsurance market.

Types of Insurance

Any risk that can be quantified can potentially be insured. Specific kinds of risk that may give rise to claims are known as perils. An insurance policy will set out in detail which perils are covered by the policy and which are not. Below are non-exhaustive lists of the many different types of insurance that exist. A single policy may cover risks in one or more of the categories set out below. For example, vehicle insurance would typically cover both the property risk (theft or damage to the vehicle) and the liability risk (legal claims arising from an accident). A home insurance policy in the U.S. typically includes coverage for damage to the home and the owner's belongings, certain legal claims against the owner, and even a small amount of coverage for medical expenses of guests who are injured on the owner's property.

Business insurance can take a number of different forms, such as the various kinds of professional liability insurance, also called professional indemnity (PI), which are discussed below under that name; and the business owner's policy (BOP), which packages into one policy many of the kinds of coverage that a business owner needs, in a way analogous to how homeowners' insurance packages the coverages that a homeowner needs.




Auto insurance
Auto insurance protects the policyholder against financial loss in the event of an incident involving a vehicle they own, such as in a traffic collision.

Coverage typically includes:

1. Property coverage, for damage to or theft of the car;
2. Liability coverage, for the legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage;
3. Medical coverage, for the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses.

Most countries, such as the United Kingdom, require drivers to buy some, but not all, of these coverages. When a car is used as collateral for a loan the lender usually requires specific coverage



Home insurance
Home insurance provides coverage for damage or destruction of the policyholder's home. In some geographical areas, the policy may exclude certain types of risks, such as flood or earthquake, that require additional coverage. Maintenance-related issues are typically the homeowner's responsibility. The policy may include inventory, or this can be bought as a separate policy, especially for people who rent housing. In some countries, insurers offer a package which may include liability and legal responsibility for injuries and property damage caused by members of the household, including pets




Health insurance
Health insurance policies issued by publicly-funded health programs, such as the UK's National Health Service will cover the cost of medical treatments. Dental insurance, like medical insurance, protects policyholders for dental costs. In the U.S. and Canada, dental insurance is often part of an employer's benefits package, along with health insurance.



Funeral insurance
Funeral insurance is a very old type of health insurance which is payed out upon death to cover funeral expenses of the insuree. The Greeks and Romans introduced funeral insurance circa 600 AD when they organized guilds called "benevolent societies" which cared for the surviving families and paid funeral expenses of members upon death. Guilds in the Middle Ages served a similar purpose.



Accident, sickness and unemployment insurance
# Disability insurance policies provide financial support in the event of the policyholder becoming unable to work because of disabling illness or injury. It provides monthly support to help pay such obligations as mortgage loans and credit cards. Short-term and long-term disability policies are available to individuals, but considering the expense, long-term policies are generally obtained only by those with at least six-figure incomes, such as doctors, lawyers, etc. Short-term disability insurance covers a person for a period typically up to six months, paying a stipend each month to cover medical bills and other necessities.
# Long-term disability insurance
# covers an individual's expenses for the long term, up until such time as they are considered permanently disabled and thereafter. Insurance companies will often try to encourage the person back into employment in preference to and before declaring them unable to work at all and therefore totally disabled.
# Disability overhead insurance allows business owners to cover the overhead expenses of their business while they are unable to work.
# Total permanent disability insurance provides benefits when a person is permanently disabled and can no longer work in their profession, often taken as an adjunct to life insurance.
# Workers' compensation insurance replaces all or part of a worker's wages lost and accompanying medical expenses incurred because of a job-related injury.



Casualty
Casualty insurance insures against accidents, not necessarily tied to any specific property. It is a broad spectrum of insurance that a number of other types of insurance could be classified, such as auto, workers compensation, and some liability insurances.

* Crime insurance is a form of casualty insurance that covers the policyholder against losses arising from the criminal acts of third parties. For example, a company can obtain crime insurance to cover losses arising from theft or embezzlement.
* Political risk insurance is a form of casualty insurance that can be taken out by businesses with operations in countries in which there is a risk that revolution or other political conditions could result in a loss.



Casualty
Casualty insurance insures against accidents, not necessarily tied to any specific property. It is a broad spectrum of insurance that a number of other types of insurance could be classified, such as auto, workers compensation, and some liability insurances.

* Crime insurance is a form of casualty insurance that covers the policyholder against losses arising from the criminal acts of third parties. For example, a company can obtain crime insurance to cover losses arising from theft or embezzlement.
* Political risk insurance is a form of casualty insurance that can be taken out by businesses with operations in countries in which there is a risk that revolution or other political conditions could result in a loss.

Life
Life insurance provides a monetary benefit to a descendant's family or other designated beneficiary, and may specifically provide for income to an insured person's family, burial, funeral and other final expenses. Life insurance policies often allow the option of having the proceeds paid to the beneficiary either in a lump sum cash payment or an annuity.


Property
-Aviation insurance
-Boiler insurance
-Builder's risk insurance
-Crop insurance
-Earthquake insurance
-Fidelity bond
-Flood insurance
-Home insurance
-Landlord insurance
-Marine insurance
-Surety bond
-Terrorism insurance
-Volcano insurance
-Windstorm insurance