Life's unexpected events continue to happen even when we travel and most of us have experienced lost luggage, a missed connection, an injury on your dream vacation or a family emergency while you are half-way around the world.

For these reasons, and so many more, IDEAS requires all volunteers to purchase international travel insurance. Traveling abroad comes with so many unknowns, many of which could include high hospital bills, injuries or sickness, lost or stolen electronics, or cancelled trips. Here are a few tips for choosing travel insurance:

1. Look at your current homeowner's insurance to see if it covers lost or stolen luggage and your medical insurance to see if it covers any medical expenses outside of the country.
2. Make sure the insurance company you are researching covers the country you will be traveling to.
3. Make sure the insurance company covers medical emergency & medical evacuation.
4. Make sure it covers any of your current medical needs (diabetes, chronic high blood pressure, etc).
5. How much coverage should you get?
   • The amount of medical insurance coverage depends on where you are going and if they have adequate medical facilities. If the country you are visiting is not able to help with your emergency injury or condition and they have to immediately send you to another country, you could incur huge costs. With less healthcare options in the country, a higher or complete coverage plan would be better.
   • The amount of medical insurance coverage depends on what you are doing overseas. If you are participating in high-risk activities, like mountain climbing or construction work, then higher or complete coverage would be better.  There is also adventure or sports insurance to look into.
6. If you are traveling to a country that is engaged in a war or has a high likelihood for a terrorist attack, find a plan that covers political emergencies.
7. Make sure to purchase the insurance a few days after purchasing your itinerary. Sooner rather than later ensures that you will be eligible for coverage if some sort of disaster occurs in the country you are traveling to.

Good Neighbor insurance is a great contact to have for any insurance inquiries, or to ask about the evacuation risks in certain areas of the world. Their phone number is (480)813-9100.  IDEAS volunteers have also used IMG and Seven Corners.

Have you ever had to use your travel insurance?