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Before starting your trip to Ireland, consider purchasing travel insurance. Read on for our wallet-friendly travel insurance tips.
Travel insurance helps protect you and your belongings while you’re away from home. It can reimburse you for unexpected costs due to illness, injury, flight cancellations, lost luggage, and other issues. While travel insurance is important, it can quickly eat into your budget if you’re not careful.
Shop around and find cheap travel insurance Ireland by following these tips to save money on your policy without sacrificing essential coverage. We’ll cover comparing policies, considering your destination, looking at the activities you’ll do, minding trip duration, going for excess, using loyalty discounts, considering group cover, reading the fine print, and more. With some smart planning, you can find an economical policy that gives you peace of mind on your adventures.
Your trip to Ireland will be less stressful when you purchase travel insurance. Photo courtesy Adobe Stock
Compare Policies
When looking for travel insurance, it pays to shop around and compare policies from different providers. It is advisable to get quotes from at least three insurers. This allows you to find the most suitable policy for your trip at the best possible price.
Focus on comparing the levels of coverage and any exclusions rather than just looking at the premium cost. Check what is and isn’t covered by each policy. Look at the medical expense limits and coverage for lost baggage, trip cancellation, missed connections, etc. Having a higher level of coverage can be worthwhile, even if it costs a little extra.
Compare travel insurance policies to get the best deals. Photo courtesy Adobe Stock
Watch for exclusions like pre-existing medical conditions, dangerous sports, and high-risk destinations. If you have any pre-existing conditions, contact insurers to see if they will provide coverage. Adventure activities like scuba diving may be covered, but check if they need to be declared.
While price comparison sites can help you find deals, it is essential that you read the full policy terms and conditions before you purchase it. Doing your research by comparing policies will help ensure you get adequate coverage for your specific travel plans without overpaying. For detailed information and a variety of travel insurance options, explore travel-insurance.irish to find the plan that best suits your needs.
Consider Your Destination
Some destinations naturally carry more risk and, therefore, higher insurance premiums. An example is Ireland, where medical costs are exceptionally high compared to other developed countries. As such, travel insurance in Ireland will be more expensive.
Research what types of incidents commonly occur in your planned destination. Some regions pose greater risks for theft, while others may have higher rates of illness. Understanding the likely risks can help you determine what coverage to prioritize.
For instance, if you’re backpacking through Southeast Asia, consider choosing a policy with emergency medical evacuation. This provides transportation to a hospital in your home country if you become critically ill. While the odds of this happening are low, the service can be life-saving yet extremely costly without insurance.
Knowing the particular hazards of where you’re traveling allows you to tailor your policy appropriately. Don’t pay for unnecessary coverage, but do protect against the most relevant risks.
Look at Your Activities
When getting travel insurance, being honest about any adventurous activities you plan to do on your trip is important. High-risk activities like scuba diving, skydiving, and rock climbing can significantly raise your premiums.
Insurance companies categorize activities into different risk levels. The more daring your plans, the more you’ll likely pay. For example, while regular hiking may be covered under a standard policy, any mountaineering usually requires additional coverage.
Ziplining is a fun adventure during your travels, but you may have to pay higher insurance rates. Photo courtesy iStock by Getty Images
If you hide your true intentions, your insurer may refuse to pay out on a claim later. So it’s not worth fibbing to get a cheaper policy upfront. Be upfront about wanting to kayak through whitewater rapids or cycle steep mountain passes. The premium hike will be worth it for proper coverage.
Some General Tips for Buying Travel Insurance
Consider these general tips when buying travel insurance:
Check if you need special adventure or extreme sports coverage. Don’t assume you’re covered.
Look for insurers that cater to adventurous travelers if it’s a big part of your trip.
Consider trip cancelation coverage if you’ve invested in expensive gear or tours.
Read the fine print carefully to see what activities are excluded or need extra cover.
The bottom line is to be honest early on to get the right policy. Trying to cut costs shouldn’t come at the price of adequate protection for your more daring travel plans.
Pay Attention to the Policy Duration
The longer your trip, the more your travel insurance will likely cost. Premiums are calculated based on the number of days you’ll be traveling. Generally, the longer the trip duration, the higher the policy cost since you’re covered longer.
When shopping for coverage, consider the length of your upcoming travels and how much time you want to be covered for incidents like medical emergencies or trip delays. It’s tempting to purchase a policy for your entire six-month excursion abroad, but depending on the likelihood you’ll use the insurance, you may be better off buying separate policies for each country or portion of the trip.
Weigh the pros and cons of paying more upfront for a longer policy versus less for multiple shorter-term policies. Consider getting a shorter-term policy for the beginning of your trip when the chances of canceling are higher. Then, reassess down the road if you want to renew coverage. Make sure there are no gaps in coverage as you travel between destinations.
Go For a Higher Deductible or Excess
Choosing a higher deductible (called excess if you’re buying a policy in Ireland) can often lower your premium substantially. While a policy with a €100 excess or deductible may seem more appealing than one with a €250 excess, the difference in premium could be significant.
Examine the pros and cons of purchasing travel insurance. Photo by Rawpixel via DepositPhotos
Opting for a higher excess can make sense for minor trips with a low risk of needing to make a claim. However, if you are planning adventure activities or travel to regions with poor healthcare, you may want to pay extra for a lower excess so you don’t risk high out-of-pocket costs in the event of a claim.
Evaluate the likelihood of needing to claim. If it seems improbable, go for the higher excess to reduce your upfront costs. Make sure you have emergency funds available in case the excess is required. A higher excess with lower premiums can work out cheaper if you don’t claim.
Articles Related to Purchasing Travel Insurance
The Essential Guide to Travel Insurance
How to Find the Best Travel Insurance Deal
5 Questions to Ask Before Your First Working Vacation
Preparing for Your Trip to Ireland
Once you have examined the various trip insurance policies available, you can plan your trip. We invite you to explore Wander With Wonder for ideas on what to do when you visit Ireland.
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