Source link : https://theamericannews.net/america/aruba/travel-insurance-for-an-aruba-vacation-2024/
You do not have to buy travel insurance to visit Aruba. However, the government strongly recommends it.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aruba required visitors to purchase its Aruba Visitors Insurance. Coverage is no longer mandatory as of July 2022.
However, purchasing Aruba Visitors Insurance is an affordable way to secure COVID-19 coverage for your trip. These policies will cover all hospitalization expenses and intensive care unit costs up to the $75,000 policy limit. Sublimits include up to $350 for specialized transportation, $500 for doctor consultations, $75 for COVID-19 tests and up to $125 per day for five days of isolation expenses. Alternatively, you can purchase a more robust policy through a third-party travel insurance company that includes COVID coverage.
As you shop for a travel insurance plan, research the types of coverage you need and find out what you already have. Many credit card companies provide some complimentary coverage when you use their card to book your transportation and accommodations. You might also have some relevant coverage through your home or renters insurance, auto insurance or health insurance plan.
Cancel for Any Reason Coverage
Cancel for any reason coverage (CFAR) makes it possible to delay or cancel your trip without worrying about how you will recoup any deposits or payments you have already made.
Compared to standard trip cancellation coverage, it offers one key advantage: the ability to cancel without providing a reason. You can cancel because of a rainy weather forecast, a new job or simply because you changed your mind.
CFAR can be added to most travel insurance policies purchased within two or three weeks of making your first trip deposit. Keep in mind that CFAR may not cover your full travel costs, and it may only be available during a certain window.
Many companies will only reimburse 75% of your nonrefundable prepaid deposits, and you may need to cancel at least 48 hours in advance of your departure to use your CFAR coverage.
Gear Theft Protection
Gear theft protection covers the cost of repairing or replacing your belongings if they are stolen, lost or damaged during your trip.
Companies differ in what they call this coverage, but it can be added to most travel insurance plans. Instead of “gear theft,” your policy might reference “baggage and personal items loss.” Either way, this coverage will typically include an overall limit and a per-item limit. More expensive items may have a special limit.
Purchasing gear theft protection is especially important if you plan to take any electronics or equipment with you to Aruba, such as a laptop, camera or scuba gear. However, you may want to ensure that your policy covers the rest of your stuff, too. Lost, delayed or stolen pieces of luggage can cause a major disruption to your trip, even if none of it is particularly valuable.
Medical Emergency Insurance and Emergency Medical Evacuation
Almost every travel insurance plan includes medical emergency insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. In fact, these two coverages are among the main comparison points for travel insurance policies. Different policies provide different coverage limits. As you decide how much coverage to purchase, consider what you plan to do in Aruba and how risky those activities are.
Also known as travel medical insurance, emergency medical insurance covers the medical expenses that arise if you become ill or injured during your trip. This medical coverage can help pay costs associated with diagnosis and treatment, including X-rays and hospital bills. As a general disclaimer, most policies will not cover pre-existing conditions unless you purchase a special waiver.
Medical evacuation coverage, meanwhile, can help arrange transportation to the nearest hospital if you experience a medical emergency. It will also pay for repatriation if the physician in charge of your medical treatment deems it necessary for you to return to the U.S. If you’re uninsured, emergency medical evacuation can easily cost thousands of dollars, especially if it requires the use of an air ambulance or specialty vehicle.
Rental Car Protection
Rental car protection comes in two forms. The first is liability insurance, which may be included in the rental price. This covers any property damage or injuries that you cause to other people while driving the vehicle. The second is a collision damage waiver. When you purchase this coverage, the rental car company agrees not to hold you liable for damage you cause to the vehicle.
As an alternative to buying insurance through the rental company, many travel insurance policies include some form of rental car protection. If not, you may be able to add this coverage for an extra fee. You may also qualify for complimentary coverage through your credit card company. Note that most U.S. car insurance companies limit their coverage to the U.S., Canada and Mexico. That means your existing policy likely won’t cover you while you’re in Aruba.
Note: If you don’t plan to venture far from your resort or hotel, you may not need a rental car in Aruba. However, the island does have several rental car companies to choose from. You can even rent an all-terrain vehicle to explore more rugged areas.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, most travel insurance plans have started to include trip cancellation insurance. This coverage will reimburse your nonrefundable travel expenses — such as prepaid deposits — if you need to cancel your Aruba vacation due to an unforeseen event.
It’s important to note that trip cancellation insurance only kicks in if you cancel for certain reasons. The list of covered reasons may differ slightly from one company to another but generally includes natural disasters, a death in the family, unexpected legal obligations and serious illness or injury. Basically, your reason for canceling must be something unpredictable and outside of your control.
Many policies now list a COVID-19 diagnosis as a covered reason. A doctor-ordered quarantine or sick family member who needs your care may also be covered.
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Publish date : 2024-10-08 13:00:00
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Author : theamericannews
Publish date : 2024-10-27 06:55:32
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.