The importance of comparing travel insurance abroad these days

Everyone who gets on the plane knows that he needs to find the most appropriate insurance for him, one that will be there in the moment of truth and everything - at an affordable price.

What is the difference between the insurances of the credit companies, the health funds and the insurance companies and who will give us the best deal?

Walla!

Tourism in collaboration with Phoenix smart

29/11/2021

Monday, 29 November 2021, 06:31 Updated: 06:55

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Inside each plane taking off from an international airport sit people who paid different prices for the flight tickets - depending on the website or agency from which they made the booking, and the booking date - at the 90th minute or a few weeks or months in advance. The same passengers will probably also pay a different price for accommodation, even if they stay in the same hotel - because there are people who just know how to find the best deals. Therefore, it is likely that each and every one of them also pays a different price for their travel insurance and unlike the previous two examples, in this case some of them also get a different product or service.

Travel insurance abroad is mainly medical insurance for those staying outside the borders of Israel. It is the safety net for any medical emergency and constitutes the financial coverage for medical treatments abroad. The coverage clauses are similar, but not the same between all the insurance companies and other entities that market travel insurance, with the difference being the coverage conditions, the financial coverage ceiling and the service that the insured and the insured receive in real time abroad.

Comparing travel insurance costs and policy terms can save money, as well as mental anguish that may exist in the event that the policy terms or service level of the insurer are not properly reviewed.

It is not pleasant to find out in the moment of truth about the deductible that is required to be paid or about problems in communication with the insurance company, precisely when it needs its help.

The entities that market travel insurance in Israel are the insurance companies, the credit companies and the HMO.

The comparison between them is quite simple in the digital world and a few clicks on different sites will provide the full picture.

How much did the flight cost, where will you stay in the hotel and of course - how much did you pay for the insurance?

You can find good deals if you know how to search (Photo: ShutterStock, Shutterstock)

Credit insurance of travel companies

Almost all credit card companies offer a travel insurance policy abroad with a free first five days benefit. Diving into the data tells the full story: First, the benefit is given to the cardholder and not to the children or other insured family members. Second, the policy is basic and relatively limited. featuring insurance companies, when the top is in Phoenix with a policy very broad.

the disadvantage holiday insurance of credit card companies is Article deductible and limiting the amount of medical coverage, the maximum amount which ranges from 1 to 5 million. By contrast, Phoenix does not place the maximum cover in treatments Medical abroad and does not charge a deductible for medical treatments.

And of course, especially in the days of the Corona, it is important to check the coverages provided by credit card companies and the extensions they offer to allow policyholders and their policyholders to be protected from unforeseen epidemic-related events such as flight cancellation or extension of destination due to Corona infection.

HMO travel insurance

HMOs also offer travel insurance and membership in one of the funds, you can purchase a policy before the flight. The policies offered by HMOs are broader than those of the credit card company, but still can not match the terms of the policy provides various insurance companies.

Disadvantages made travel insurance through HMOs are limiting The amount of coverage in most medical coverage, as well as the $ 50 deductible in some sections. This may sound modest, but if you have purchased drugs, which are often not very expensive, the reimbursement you will receive will be low. In

terms of cost versus benefit, these are much less policies. Attractiveness, certainly in light of the fact that they also contain, as stated, deductible clauses, which do not exist in the Phoenix smart travel insurance policy.

Another point is the insurance offered by the HMOs in case of loss or theft of luggage or documents.

In this case, the amount of compensation is lower than insurance companies, when even in these sections there is a deductible, which is often significantly higher in relation to the amount of compensation.

What to do in case of injury or illness abroad? (Photo: ShutterStock)

Comparison of travel insurance abroad between insurance companies

Here we are already getting into a more accurate comparison. The comparison is not between an insurance company and a credit company or a health fund, which actually markets an insurance company policy, but "between apples and apples."

The daily cost of an overseas travel insurance policy with an insurance company varies from company to company and the differences are often large and significant, certainly the longer the stay abroad.

However, the daily or general cost is only one of the items in which discrepancies can be found. The differences between the insurance companies lie in the different coverage conditions and especially in the way the services are provided in an emergency - what is the ceiling on the amount of coverage for each medical treatment, from a doctor's visit to hospitalization, locating and evacuating, medical flights and the like.

Most insurance companies in Israel set a coverage ceiling for medical treatment, including hospitalization, compared to Phoenix's smart travel insurance, which does not limit the amount of coverage for medical treatment abroad, as well as coverage for the purchase of medicines or medical accessories abroad, emergency dental care, and coverage for women. In pregnancy discovered during the trip (and up to week 12).

Many insurance companies charge a deductible when claiming travel insurance abroad, as opposed to the Phoenix smart travel policy, which does not charge a deductible on all medical treatments, including emergency dental care (Phoenix is ​​one of the few that does not charge this).

Even if it is 50 When a visit to the doctor comes to a cost of about $ 250 or the purchase of the medication that amounted to $ 100, the deductible is significant and in fact takes a deep bite into the final reimbursement amount for the expense.

So what is important to compare in overseas travel insurance?

Corona Insurance Routes: The Phoenix offers a route with better conditions for those with a green badge. The insurance period is longer, the rates are cheaper and more. Green card holders are welcome to look for the policy that works best with them.

Corona Travel Insurance Extensions: All insurance companies now offer additional coverage for purchase, alongside the basic policy. These are supposed to provide protection for travel tickets, payment for hotels and rental cars in case of changes in travel due to Corona disease infection or extension of stay due to entry into isolation. The obvious question in comparing them is which of the insurance companies provides the extension that provides the most significant protection. Our recommendation is to check out the Phoenix Smart Travel Corona Shield extension - Phoenix gives the cheapest fare on the market and has the most attractive terms in the overseas travel insurance market for green card holders and those who are not interested in purchasing this extension.

As the basic insurance, also points comparing different corona expansions revolve around the maximum cover in each of the sections, the amount of compensation provided to policyholders who are forced to extend their stay abroad, deductibles, entitlement to fly escort, and more.

How to contact the insurance company: One important point Most in any insurance purchase, as insurance companies are ultimately measured in moments of truth.The vast majority of insurance buyers will not use it in the end, and it is good that way.But once a situation arises that requires communication with the insurance company, it must be there online and in real time. Check that the insurance company provides direct communication channels, 24/7 and all days of the week.The expectation from an insurance company to communicate with you on WhatsApp is a sensible thing nowadays.

Insurance Company Digital Means: What differentiates insurance companies is the ability not only to provide refunds for various cases abroad, along with a tiny booklet with emergency phone numbers, but to take responsibility and provide solutions and assistance in emergencies easily and quickly.

Many insurance companies already provide Along with purchasing the policy, a travel app can be downloaded to a smartphone. With the help of the app, it is easy to find doctors, clinics and hospitals abroad. There are also gaps between the applications in the variety of operations they allow, in the ease of use and the like.

The Phoenix smart travel app provides the widest range of services and options, including making a direct appointment to visit the clinic, video calling with a local doctor who speaks Hebrew or English and booking a doctor to the hotel so you can get advice and even medical treatment without leaving the hotel room.

Using the app, Phoenix pays directly to the doctor or clinic, thus saving the insured the payment itself on the spot, collecting the invoices and managing the claim for reimbursements.

The app also allows direct, 24/7 and real-time communication in providing information, answering questions, remote assistance, technical support and more.

Anyone who follows these sections for comparison will discover the full picture of the gaps and will be able to choose the attractive policy, with the important coverages for it and the most significant service for its needs.

Wise consumption in the field of travel insurance abroad not only saves us time, but also allows us to choose an insurance company that will give us the peace of mind we need most when traveling.

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