TIME TO GET INSURED!

Whether you are joining a Taiwan Cycling Tour, going trekking in Himalayas or diving in the Maldives, getting travel insurance is one of those things your should really do. Some are put off by the grim nature of the business, i.e. anticipating injuries, accidents, and mishaps. Others simply don't want to spend any extra money on their already costly trips. But whatever the reason may be, they are often wrong.

We recommend travel insurance when Bicycle Touring. We all want to imagine our trips being perfect and going smoothly from beginning to end, but we need to be realistic and accept that sometimes bad things happen. It is in those moments when you realize that when it comes to insurance it is best to have it and not need it than it is to need it and don't have it.

So here are a couple of tips and recommendations to keep in mind the next time you need to buy a travel insurance policy.

TAIWAN CYCLING TOUR´S TOP CHOICE

After consulting many different insurance companies, the one that stands out as the best is World Nomads Insurance. Their insurance policies cover for just about any issue you may encounter and they allow for a fair bit of customization. Their initial price is fixed though and can be a little expensive (US$300) if you're only considering a quick trip, somewhere close to your own home country. That being said, we'd like to remind you that when it comes to protecting your health and having peace of mind, price should not be a concern.

Check their policies out on the World Nomads Insurance page and contact them if you'd like to get their coverage before joining our cycling tours in Taiwan!

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

Here are a few bullet points to consider when analyzing policies.

• When does the policy coverage end?

Does the policy only covers expenses and damages suffered abroad or does it include coverage for continued treatment in your home country?

• Coverage while being under the influence

Be aware that most policies will not cover any damages or incidents that take place while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Try to contact your company if you are under any prescription medication and ask them what their protocol is regarding those.

• Double-check the exclusions

The thing about health insurance, in general, is that the best-case scenario is to never have to use it. However, you need to be prepared for the eventuality of needing it and what a terrible surprise it would be to discover that your accident is not covered.

Read the policy top to bottom, make a list of the included coverage and the exclusion and compare it to the most likely events that may occur during your trip. For example, you're going on a Taiwan Cycling Tour and your policy doesn't cover accidents on the road, or doesn't cover events that happen in Taiwan, or doesn't cover any mistakes made by your chosen airline. That policy is no good.

Most insurance companies don't cover any issue related to a pre-existing injury or condition. Contact the company you intend to buy your policy from and declare any pre-existing medical conditions you may have. Ask them if their coverage extends to related injuries. Make sure that is included in the policy documentation before you sign or pay. Failure to do so may nullify all coverage or leave you unprotected at a critical moment.

SINGLE TRIP VS ANNUAL INSURANCE

Now it´s time to consider your lifestyle. Have you been planning these vacations for quite a while? Is this the only trip you will take this year? Are you the kind of person who spontaneously decides to travel abroad? Is this only the first leg in a world tour you´re taking?

Answer those questions and you may begin to realize which type of policy is best for you. If your lifestyle takes you abroad several times a year for different reasons then it would be better to buy an annual policy with as extensive coverage as you can get. If you are otherwise occupied most of the time and barely managed to squeeze this trip into your schedule, getting a single trip coverage plan is a good way to save money and still enjoy the safety of being protected in case of emergencies.

DON´T CHEAP OUT!

While there are some really good companies out there with low premiums and low deductibles that still provide excellent coverage, finding them can be akin to hunting for the holy grail.

Remember that you are paying for your health and tranquility and those things are priceless, so splurging a bit on your travel insurance can actually be better than finding yourself undercovered or trying to get a company of dubious reputation to answer for your expenses.