Once and for all: is basic travel insurance abroad enough?

Travel insurance is usually not the most exciting part of vacation planning. We compare flights, choose a hotel, check restaurants and mark attractions, and only then come to this small section that needs to be closed out of responsibility. But that’s precisely where some important decisions are hidden: is the basic policy really enough, which extensions are relevant to your trip, and when is it worth paying a little more to fly with peace of mind.

Basic travel insurance can be suitable mainly when the trip is short, simple and does not involve special risks. For example, a couple’s weekend in Europe, a work trip, a relaxed city vacation or a family visit where there are no special activities, no expensive equipment and no medical condition that requires special attention.

Even then, it is important not to look only at the price. You should check the amount of the medical coverage, whether there is a deductible, whether the baggage is included, what happens in the event of a trip cancellation and what exactly is excluded from the policy. Sometimes the difference between cheap insurance and slightly more expensive insurance is small in price, but very significant at the moment of truth.

The more complex the trip, the greater the chance that a basic policy will not be enough. A long trip, a trip to a destination where medical services are expensive, a trip with children, a skiing holiday, trekking, diving, a jeep trip, traveling while pregnant, an existing medical condition or a flight with expensive equipment, all of these warrant a more in-depth examination of the policy.

In such cases, insurance for less than NIS 100 may seem worthwhile at the checkout, but it will not necessarily provide a real answer if you have to activate it. The goal is not to choose the cheapest insurance, but the insurance that suits your type of trip.

There are several extensions that you should check before taking out travel insurance. Not each is necessary for every trip, but each can be very important in certain circumstances.

Baggage expansion Suitable for those who fly with luggage, expensive equipment or items for which it is important to get coverage for them in case of loss, theft or a significant delay in the arrival of the luggage.

Extending a cancellation or shortening a trip can be especially suitable when it comes to an expensive trip, a family vacation or a reservation made a long time in advance.

Extension to an existing medical condition Important for those who face a permanent medical problem, take medication or have had a significant medical event.

Expansion of extreme sports Required when planning an activity such as skiing, diving, riding, trekking, field trips or certain attractions.

Expansion of coverage related to a rented car, such as cancellation of deductible in case of damage to the car.

There is also Extensions for pregnancy, Equipment insurance Expensive like a laptop or camera, surfboard, musical instruments, etc.

A couple flying for three nights in Budapest, without a large suitcase and without special activities, can in many cases be satisfied with a basic policy, as long as the medical coverage is adequate and they understand what is not included in it.

On the other hand, a family flying for two weeks in the USA with children, luggage, a rental car and many reservations in advance, already has to look differently at the insurance. In such a case, it is worth checking baggage expansion, canceling or shortening the trip, extended insurance coverage for the car and conditions in case of urgent medical need or rescue and rescue.

Travelers planning a jeep trip in Montenegro with a rental car should check the policy much more thoroughly. In such a case, you should make sure that there is suitable coverage for extreme sports or outdoor activities that may happen during the trip, such as rafting or Omegas. Above all, it is important to also add an extension to the cancellation of the deductible in a rented car. Without the right extensions, a significant part of the experience you planned may not be covered in the event of an accident, vehicle damage or injury during a special activity. In such cases, even a small hit in the baggage can reach several hundred euros, so it is worth the additional small payment when closing the insurance.

A traveler going on a trek in Georgia or on a skiing holiday in Austria will often need an adventure sports or skiing extension. Without the right extension, an activity that seems a natural part of the trip may not be covered.

Even a short work trip can require adjustments. Those who fly with a laptop, photographic equipment or professional equipment should check if the policy includes appropriate coverage for the equipment, and not assume that everything is automatically covered.

Before choosing travel insurance, you should ask a few simple questions: where are you going, for how long, who is traveling, is there a medical condition that needs to be declared, are you renting a car, are you taking expensive equipment, are you planning a special activity and what will the cost of the trip be in case of cancellation.

After answering these questions, it’s easier to understand if basic travel insurance is really enough, or if you should choose a broader policy. Price is important, but it is only part of the picture. A good insurance is one that fits your trip, and not just one that seems worthwhile at the time of purchase.

Before taking out travel insurance, it is recommended to compare several policies, check the main coverages, read the exclusions and make sure that the policy is suitable for the destination, the duration of the trip and the nature of the trip. You can use the travel insurance comparison page or the price comparison calculator to understand what you get in each policy, and not just how much it costs.

Sometimes yes. Basic insurance can be enough for a short and simple trip, especially if there is no special medical condition, no expensive equipment and no unusual activities. However, it is important to check what the policy actually includes and not rely only on the price.

Travel insurance for less than NIS 100 can be suitable for certain trips, but not for every trip. If it is a short and quiet vacation, it may be enough. If it is a long trip, outdoor activity, rental car, existing medical condition or expensive equipment, you should check for additional extensions.

A basic policy usually includes basic medical coverage for the trip, while an extended policy can include baggage, trip cancellation or shortening, extreme sports, pre-existing medical conditions, pregnancy, expensive equipment, rental car, and other coverages.

It depends on the nature of the trip. When traveling with luggage you should check luggage coverage, for an expensive trip you should consider canceling or shortening the trip, for a special activity you should check extreme sports, when renting a car you should check cancellation of the deductible, and in the case of an existing medical condition it is important to check a suitable extension.

not necessarily. Two policies can look similar in price, but have different coverage caps, different exclusions and different services. That is why it is important to compare the terms of the policy and not just the amount to be paid.

It is worth paying more when it comes to a long trip, a medically expensive destination, a trip with children, a challenging activity, an existing medical condition, pregnancy, expensive equipment, a rented car or a trip whose cost is high in case of cancellation.

Yes, in many cases the insurance price is affected by the age of the insured, the duration of the trip, the destination, medical condition, selected extensions and the type of coverage. Therefore, two people flying to the same destination will not necessarily pay the same price.

Starting with the trip itself: destination, duration, age of the passengers, medical condition, type of activities, whether you rent a car, equipment taken and the cost of the reservation. Then compare policies according to the relevant coverages and not just according to the final price.