Single Trip policy – Covers a single trip. Many companies require you to depart and return to your country of residence.

Annual, multi-trip policy – for frequent travelers. Pay an annual premium and get coverage for multiple trips during the year.

Medical Evacuation (Medevac) Plans – focus on emergency medical evacuations, international security evacuations, and repatriation. The travel insurance company handles the coordination of these efforts and usually takes care of payments to the rescue team. Evacuations are covered up to the policy limits and only for covered reasons listed in the policy document. Allianz provides this specific type of cover.

Specialty Insurance – Many companies exclude specific activities as they are considered high-risk – for example, high-altitude mountain climbing, yacht racing, and deep-sea diving below 60m. However, some companies specialize in insuring participants in these high-risk activities. (For a price, of course.)

The relevant sporting association sometimes coordinates this type of insurance. For example:

The American Alpine Club has partnered with companies to insure its members who are climbers

DAN (Divers Alert Network) – has insurance specific for its members that cover expenses related to diving mishaps that may not be covered by regular travel insurance.

No trip is ever the same.

Before I renew our travel insurance I always check:

• If our government has issued a travel alert for a destination we will visit. A ‘Do Not Travel’ designation may mean we are not covered by a travel insurance policy if we still choose to go.
• The activities we are likely to do this as some high-risk activities may not be covered by some policies, or require an extra premium. For example, we both have our diving certificates, one year we went sailing for 4 months in open waters, and we like to hire a motorbike occasionally to tour a destination.
• If we have developed any medical issues that should be declared as pre-existing conditions. As with high-risk activities, pre-existing conditions may be excluded or require you to pay an extra premium.
• If we have any expensive or specialty equipment, I want to ensure is covered. For example, our bicycles and camping gear when on tour.
• I then compare this information to the policy details (including the small print) for each travel insurance provider and THEN compare costs to find what best suits us for that trip.

What else do you consider before you buy a travel insurance policy? Let us know in the comments.