Insurance on vacation: how to protect yourself while relaxing abroad

      The recent tragedy involving a student from NNGU in Egypt once again reminded us that health and life abroad is an area of increased responsibility. Many treat travel insurance as a formality—a mandatory "tick" for a visa or tour package. But when disaster strikes, it is the correctly issued policy that determines whether a person will receive help or if their relatives will have to pay huge bills out of their own pockets.

      Roman Shcheglevatykh, Vice President of the All-Russian Union of Insurers (VSS), told NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" about what can really be saved without harming oneself, what mistakes most often lead to refusals in payments, and what to do if help is urgently needed.

      What the cost of insurance depends on:

      Destination country. In countries with expensive medical care (for example, the USA, Japan, some European countries), the policy will cost more than in countries with more affordable types of assistance. If you choose the territory "Worldwide," the price will be higher.

      Trip duration. The longer the trip, the higher the final price, as the policy is calculated based on the cost per day of the trip.

      Traveler's age. Children and people aged 65+ often fall into the high-risk group, so their rates may be higher.

      Insurance amount (coverage limit). The higher the amount you insure your expenses for, the more expensive the policy.

      Type of vacation. If you plan to engage in extreme activities, you need to add the corresponding option to the policy. However, the basic policy often covers standard active leisure.

      Additional options. Each "tick" beyond the basic set (insurance against non-departure, flight delay, loss of luggage, civil liability, etc.) affects the cost of insurance.

      Set of risks included in the insurance program. Often, insurance companies offer several options for risks to choose from: from a minimal set to extended coverage.

      Photo: Alexander Volozhanin.

      What can be saved without harm:

      First of all, it is worth giving up the unnecessary. If you are traveling light, do not take the "luggage insurance" option, advises Roman Shcheglevatykh. If you do not go on vacation more than once a year, you do not need an annual multipolicy.

      It is also beneficial to purchase a policy for several travelers at once. "Often, you can get a discount when issuing a joint policy," notes the expert.

      A deductible is the amount you pay yourself in minor insurance cases (for example, buying cold medicine at your own expense). It significantly reduces the price of the policy but is suitable only for those who are confident in their health and ready for minor expenses.

      What you should never skimp on:

      Insurance amount (limit). For countries with cheap medical care, a basic 30-50 thousand euros may be enough. But if you are going to Europe, the USA, or planning complex activities, the limit needs to be increased. If the bill for surgery exceeds your limit, you will have to pay the difference out of your own pocket.

      It is equally important to specify the real possible risks. The basic policy covers only "beach-hotel" illnesses. If you plan to ride a bike, ATV, snorkel, or dive—be sure to add the "active leisure" option. Otherwise, in case of injury, the insurance company will refuse to pay.

      Image generated by neural network.

      5 mistakes that can lead to a denial of payment by insurance:

      According to Roman Shcheglevatykh, Vice President of the All-Russian Union of Insurers, even a purchased policy can turn out to be useless if the tourist did not consider the nuances.

      For example, it is not advisable to blindly trust "free" insurance from a travel agent or bank.

      "Such policies often have modest limits, a deductible, or do not cover active leisure. Their conditions need to be checked as thoroughly as those purchased independently," the expert noted.

      The most common mistake is when a tourist feels unwell, goes to the hospital on their own, pays at the cash register, and then asks the insurance company to reimburse the money. Roman Shcheglevatykh explains: if the tourist goes to the clinic and pays themselves, the insurance may refuse (the event may be deemed non-insured) or reimburse the amount within the limits set by the insurance rules, not the actual expenses.

      Errors in data are also common. Not only a typo in the surname or date of birth can be a reason for refusal.

      "If there is an error in the date, the event may occur, but the policy is still not valid. The same applies to the country: if one country is indicated in the policy, and you went to another, payments may not be made," emphasized Shcheglevatykh.

      Carefully read the rules: insurance will not cover treatment if the tourist was in a state of alcohol intoxication, or if there was an exacerbation of a planned chronic disease (only emergencies are covered).

      Another problem can arise from an error regarding status. If you purchase a policy while already abroad (for example, you decided to extend your tour), you must check the box "already traveling," otherwise it will not be valid.

      Image generated by neural network.

      What to do in case of an emergency abroad:

      If you or your loved one feels unwell, forget about panic and act strictly according to the instructions:

      1. Call the service company (assistance). The number is indicated in your policy. You need to call before contacting a doctor.

      2. Provide details. State your surname, policy number, your location, and describe your symptoms in detail.

      3. Follow the operator's instructions. They will tell you which clinic to go to (or will call a doctor themselves).

      4. Do not pay yourself. All bills should be paid directly by the insurance company. If the situation is urgent and there was no communication—contact assistance at the first opportunity.

      5. Collect all documents. Receipts, prescriptions, discharge papers, referrals—without this package of documents, you will not receive compensation.

      Top 3 tips for those buying insurance for the first time:

      "Choose insurance according to your scenario," advises Shcheglevatykh.

      Travel medical insurance will protect travelers from unforeseen expenses during the trip, including expenses for treating injuries and complications of diseases (within the entire insurance amount), hospitalization, and transportation. Depending on the program, additional risks may be included in the policy: delay/loss/damage to luggage, flight delay, civil liability for damage to third parties, accidents, etc.

      The Vice President of the All-Russian Union of Insurers also draws travelers' attention to the advisability of purchasing travel insurance when traveling independently in Russia. The OMS policy does not cover search and rescue operations in the mountains, evacuation of the injured, or visits by relatives to another region. And if you are going to Siberia, the Urals, or the Northwest in the summer—be sure to add insurance against tick bites (it is inexpensive but saves from huge expenses for treating encephalitis).

      Before purchasing a policy, be sure to study what is not considered an insured event. Often, tourists do not know that planned dentistry, pregnancy (without a special option), or treatment for a chronic illness are not included in the basic package.

      If you have special circumstances (for example, pregnancy, specific diagnoses), discuss this with the insurer. A special rate may be required.

      Finally, the expert reiterated:

      "Make sure that the policy correctly states: the country (or all countries of the route if there is a transfer), exact travel dates (with a buffer for flight delays), insurance amount (for countries with expensive medical care or long trips, take with a margin). Carefully check the full name, date of birth—if there is a discrepancy in the medical documents during the insured event, this is grounds for refusal. After issuing, keep the policy number, insurance company name, and contacts from the policy, where you will seek help abroad. It is recommended to save this information both in your phone and in printed form—the policy, as there may be no communication during the trip, or the phone may run out of battery."

      Earlier, Nizhny Novgorod residents were informed about the dangers that await them while vacationing in Egypt. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on the main events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.