Flight insurance
If you wish to travel via an airplane, you may consider taking a flight insurance to protect you and your family from any accident or injuries due to a crash or accident of the airplane while traveling.It acts as a life insurance at such times and gives you a peace of mind that your family would be looked after even if something were to happen to you.
flight insurance not only provides flight accident insurance but also provides flight travel insurance. That is, it covers the cancellation of your flight for various reasons. Travel flight insurance is sometimes included with accident flight insurance to provide you comprehensive flight insurance cover.
Benefits of flight insurance
a) It pays you or your dependents a lump sum amount should you die or loose a limb while on the airline transportation to or from the airplane or on the airplane, that too in lieu of a very small fee.
b) You are reimbursed full or partial amount of the cost of your travel in case of cancellation, interruption or delay of your flight.
Types of flight insurance
There are several insurance options available and you must know a little about them to make a sensible choice while buying one. Heres a list to help you out.
1) Airline Trip Cancellation Coverage This type of flight insurance reimburses you any prepaid expenses that you would lose if your flight gets cancelled or you do not make it to the flight due to certain circumstances, such as:
You or your traveling partner is sick or injured
Severe weather conditions
flight cancellation due to terrorist activity
Strike on the part of the airline
You miss your trip due to your house being destroyed by a natural calamity.
2) Airline Trip Interruption Coverage protects you in case you start your trip but are unable to finish it due to the unforeseen events covered under trip cancellation coverage. You are then entitled to receive partial amount of the cost of the trip.
3) Travel Delay insurance covers you in case of delay of your flight for sometime due to common problems, weather or natural disasters, terrorist activity or other reasons. In such a case, you are entitled to receive money either to return home or finish your trip, by catching a new flight in return for the one you missed.
4) Travel Accident insurance covers you against accidental death or dismemberment due to an airline accident or crash. Because of the low frequency of airplane accidents this insurance is quite inexpensive but the benefits in return are immense especially, if you are the main income earner of the family. The amount you receive in case of a severe injury which makes it impossible for you to return to work, is sufficient to replace your income.
5) flight Life insurance is sometimes included in the accident insurance and covers the accidental death of a passenger on an airline.
How flight insurance Works
There are certain things you need to understand before taking a flight insurance policy.
A) flight insurance covers you only if you are boarding or alighting from certified passenger aircrafts and does not cover passengers of chartered aircrafts. Therefore, ascertain in advance whether your flight is eligible for flight insurance or not.
B) You will be eligible to receive the benefits of flight insurance only if the pilot of the aircraft is properly certified not otherwise.
C) It is important to research the intricacies of a flight insurance policy before buying it. Get multiple quotes and select an insurance company that provides you the best combination of cost and coverage.
D) If you are interested in gathering more information on flight insurance provided by a selected company, call up the company representative or agent to get the information. If you have made up your mind on buying flight insurance from a selected company you can contact it online and get instant coverage.
E) Inquire about the details and the documents needed to obtain the flight insurance policy. Most insurance companies require name(s) to be included in the policy, airlines name, date of departure and arrival and\or return flight.
F) Inquire from the insurance company or agent as to how you will receive the confirmation about the approval of your policy. Some insurance companies send it via an email. You can also request the insurance company to send a copy of the confirmation to the beneficiary.
G) It is a good idea to research different plans, for instance, if you and your family are frequent fliers it is better to buy an annual, multi-trip insurance policy that will save you money on premium charges.
H) Inform yourself about the various coverage clauses.For instance, in case of loss of life or loss of two limbs or both eyes, you or the beneficiary is entitled to full face amount of the policy.
I) Learn about the areas your flight insurance provides you cover for. Generally, a passenger is covered against non-refundable flight costs including trip cancellation and interruption, medical expenses, baggage and personal belongings, emergency evacuation, baggage delay and travel delay.
J) If you are traveling to high-risk countries such as those facing war or natural calamities, you must inquire whether your insurance company will still provide you cover.
Your decision to buy flight insurance must be well thought-out and careful. Dont just get lured by the attractive offers and emotional appeals of insurance companies. Analyze whether you really need one and for what purpose before coming to a buying decision.
