Low Cost Travel Insurance

If you’ve purchased low cost travel insurance, got your shots, can keep your wits about you and know how to fit in, you’re in for a great time.

When you’re travelling be cautious but never ruin your trip, and everyone else’s, by becoming paranoid. By embracing new cultures, staying on the ball and taking a few simple precautions the only thing you need worry about is where you’re going next time.

Simple tips include:

• Try not to look like a tourist, be discreet in the way you’re dressed and when reading a map.
• Don’t flash cameras, iPods etc about and use secure areas in hotels and hostels when necessary. If mugged, just hand it over.
• Use credit cards and/or traveller’s cheques in preference to cash and use ATMs during the day in populated locations.
• Keep Australian Embassy and consulate contact details with you and check regularly for DFAT updates. Naturally keep your passport and all photocopies in a safe place.
• Be discerning about sharing travel and accommodation plans with strangers – and never hitch hike.
• If you’re self-driving, lock valuables in the boot of the car during the day if necessary. Never leave anything in the vehicle overnight as this could be classified as ‘unsupervised possessions’ and result in a rejected claim.
• Expensive jewellery and watches? Just don’t take them. Buy a cheap watch for the trip and carry a decoy wallet with you with just a small amount of money in it.
• Get travel medical advice before you go and get vaccinations relevant to where you’re travelling. And of course, depending on destination, don’t drink the water, have ice or salads and make sure everything is well cooked.

Low cost insurance quotes are just as easy to find on the Internet either from individual companies or sites that compare one travel insurance company against the others. Aspects to look out for include:

• Level of emergency cover and who is providing the emergency support and evacuation
• Company availability and hours of contact in case you need general or claim assistance
• Variations on insurance plans, what each plan includes as well as the over all cost

Best advice for finding cheap cover is to think twice before purchasing via a broker or travel agent as the inevitable commissions can significantly blow out the cost of your cover.

Also, keep in mind if you’ve just paid for a tour or non-refundable accommodation, take out low cost travel insurance including trip cancellation and lost deposits ASAP.