TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE:
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE EXPLAINED

Are you planning a local or international trip? While travel can be exciting and enriching, it also carries risks that can disrupt your plans and leave you facing unexpected expenses. That’s why travel insurance is essential for any trip, whether you’re staying close to home or venturing overseas. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of local and international travel insurance and why you should consider purchasing a policy from Genesis Insurance Brokers.

Why You Need Local Travel Insurance

Travel always carries risks, even when visiting destinations close to home. Local travel insurance provides cover for unexpected events that could disrupt your trip and leave you out of pocket. 

For example, what if you had to cancel your holiday at the last minute due to a sudden illness? Or if you had an accident in your hire car and were liable for the excess? Local travel insurance will provide cover in these scenarios and offer other important benefits.

Local travel insurance from Genesis includes the following key benefits:

• Cancellation and curtailment cover: Provides cover for cancelling or cutting your trip short due to unforeseen circumstances like illness, injury or death. Excludes pre-existing medical conditions.

• Car hire excess waiver: Covers the excess you would normally pay in the event of an accident in your hire vehicle.

• Car hire benefit: Provides a daily benefit for hiring a replacement vehicle if your own vehicle breaks down, for vehicles less than 5 years old.
  
  
• Daily inconvenience benefit: Pays a cash benefit for each complete day you are hospitalized as an inpatient during your trip.
  
  
• Burial expenses cover.

There are some important points to consider when choosing your local travel insurance. Usually, you must be travelling at least 200km from your home to qualify for local cover and provide proof of your trip such as bookings or receipts, and policies do not usually include medical cover, but provide benefits in the event of injury or illness during your trip.

To claim, you need to report incidents to local authorities where relevant and provide documentation to support your claim. Theft, damage to vehicles older than 5 years, and electronic equipment are excluded. Conditions apply for travellers over 70 – contact us for more information on your individual circumstances.

The Importance of International Travel Insurance

With the ever-changing global circumstances, it is more important than ever to protect yourself when travelling overseas. That’s where international travel insurance comes in.

At Genesis, we offer comprehensive travel insurance packages, including optional extras, to ensure that you are covered for unexpected events and emergencies.

• One of the key benefits of international travel insurance is emergency medical cover. This covers the costs of emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, repatriation, and medical evacuations. With pre-existing conditions covered for travellers up to 69 on selected policies, you can travel with peace of mind knowing that you are protected.

• Another benefit is cancellation cover. This provides cover for cancelling your trip due to unforeseen circumstances listed in your policy. 

• Luggage cover is also an essential component of international travel insurance. This covers the loss, theft, or damage to your luggage and personal belongings. It is important to note that single item limits apply, and proof of ownership is required.
  
  
• COVID-19 has brought about unprecedented challenges for international travellers. While international travel insurance provides emergency medical cover related to the COVID-19 virus, it excludes cancellation cover due to COVID-19.

• It is also important to note the key exclusions and conditions of international travel insurance policies. Travellers over 70, for example, have no cover for medical claims related to pre-existing conditions, vascular or cardiovascular disease. Similarly, pregnancy-related costs from the 26th week and injury or costs resulting from manual labour without appropriate cover are not normally covered.

How Can We Help?

Purchasing travel insurance is essential for any trip, whether you’re travelling locally or internationally.  

At Genesis Insurance Brokers, we offer comprehensive travel insurance packages that provide cover for unexpected events and emergencies that can disrupt your trip and leave you out of pocket. 

Contact us today to discuss your travel insurance needs and ensure that you have the right coverage for your next trip. Safe travels!