You’ve decided that you wanted to travel somewhere new, so you booked a flight, secured your hotels, and told all of your friends. You eagerly search Instagram for the must-see spots and, before you know it, you leave in a few weeks! Now, we never recommend saving packing for the last minute, but it’s silly to start gathering your travel essentials few months out too.

This article is meant to serve as a guideline for the most efficient ways to go about packing your travel essentials amongst which travel insurance is one of the most important components. Coming from someone who has seen numerous travel cases and how travel insurance has been a saviour in so many situations, it’s safe to say that people have done enough trial and error for all of you! In this article, you will find the most useful travel essentials and travel insurance information.

Now, here’s the thing: this list of travel essentials covers just about everything, so try not to get overwhelmed. No matter your age, no matter your type of travel, this comprehensive list should be used as a guideline and a one-stop handbook to decide what you need depending on your trip. For instance, you certainly won’t pack the same things for a luxury journey to the Caribbean, a road trip through Pakistan, Of course, it should go without saying, but if you’re going to places like Antarctica or the Arctic, you will certainly need to include gear for extremities, and a packing list is almost always provided along with much needed other necessities.

Travel essentials to keep handy while travelling…

Before you begin packing, please make sure you go through this checklist of absolute, no questions asked travel essentials:

1. Is your Passport valid for six months after you depart your destination and for the duration of your trip?
2. Have you checked to see if you have all of the necessary visas for where you’re visiting?
3. Have you purchased a comprehensive travel insurance plan?

Hopefully, you’ve answered YES to the above questions, so let’s dive in. First thing’s first, it is always recommended to have a staging area for the travel essentials well before the packing. it’s everything from the tiniest details that need to be managed. Starting from the Luggage, tickets, booking each and everything.

And speaking of suitcases, decide early on the way you’d like to travel. Are you going on a luxury European vacation? Trekking through in the mountains? Relaxing on a beach somewhere? Your luggage should reflect your style of travel. Some people like to travel as a backpacker, I initially checked a 55L backpack and used a hiking backpack as my carry on.

When you plan a backpack travel

Travel essentials for backpackers are few in number but they are extremely important to be checked women’s travel pants & travel essentials.

Airplane Personal Item
Cross-Body Bag: If you want to look a little more put together, but want easy access to all of your carries on travel essentials, a cross-body bag is a must. If you like to travel with your laptop, make sure you purchase one that has a laptop sleeve too. Of course, it should be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you but roomy enough that you won’t have to dig around in it to find what you want.

Backpack: the backpack should be both supportive and spacious. It can also be a substitute for a hiking day pack. So it just comes down to personal preference.

Airplane Carry On Item

A Spinner Carry On Suitcase: If you’re questioning whether you should get a suitcase with two wheels or four wheels, always choose the four-wheel spinner. It will make your life easier as you both navigate crowds within the airport and on the busy streets of your destination. Trust us. Many people have converted from two-wheelers to four-wheelers and it made a huge difference in the way that they travel.

Rolling Duffle: At the end of the day, some people just love duffle bags (my grandpa is one of them!). They’re a great combination of a duffle bag and a rolling suitcase, and you have the ability to carry the bag or roll it, depending on your circumstances.

Q: How do I pack my carry on to include all travel essentials?

And always remember: lock all of your luggage both checked luggage and carry on (yes, this means backpacks too). We presume that you don’t want people sifting through your checked bag nor people sneaking into your carry on while you sleep (have you heard the stories of valuables being stolen from aeroplanes?).

But now that you’ve chosen your luggage, you’re probably wondering what travel essentials are actually necessary to pack….we are going to break down the packing list into easy-to-organize categories for you. Just remember to pick and choose what you most need for the trip you’re taking. So, let’s do this!

Carry On Essentials

Documents & Confirmations: These are things that you simply must have with you at all times. DO NOT leave your house without packing these into your personal items, as they are absolute and ultimate travel essentials.
1. Passport
2. Credit/Debit Cards
3. Printed Reservations & Itineraries
4. Copy of Travel Insurance
5. RFID Travel Wallet
6. Emergency Cash
7. Copy of Passport
8. Copy of Visas
9. Government ID/License Priority Pass
10. Copy of Bank Cards
11. Copy of Medical Prescriptions

Comfort: It is a supreme need of the travel unless you travel first class, flights are rarely considered comfortable and it doesn’t matter if it’s an easy 5-hour flight or a 19-hour flight! Make your life easier by packing these few travel essentials for a bit of extra comfort. There’s no way that you can have an overnight flight even semi-comfortable without these! Noise Cancelling Headphones, Eye Mask, Pillow Travel Essentials

Blow Up Pillow: we will start by saying that everyone needs an aeroplane pillow out there, or just about! If you plan to take many long flights or even smaller one the pillow is a must-have!

Foot Rest: You’re probably thinking, “what?” But yes, aeroplane footrests are a thing, and quite comfortable. Rather than trying to squeeze your legs under the chair (and slam your shins along the way), you can instead set up your footrest.

Eye Mask:  Eye Masks are a tricky thing. Assuming that it will be over your eyes for hours on end, you need to ensure that it doesn’t press against your eyes, doesn’t let light in, and doesn’t slip off your head.

Compression Socks: Compression socks are important to wear while flying, especially if it’s a long-haul flight! They not only surge circulation, but they help prevent blood clots and swelling too.

Mask: remember to wear masks at all times and always travel with a mask on, you are sick or should something be going around. Masks are amongst the best precaution out there. if the mask is worn correctly.* Whenever using a mask, make sure that it’s snug on your face, avoid touching the front of the mask, and be sure to wash your hands before putting the mask on/taking it off., as their masks meet the protect against almost 100% of pollutants, viruses, and bacteria, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aeroplanes: Have you ever struggled with painful ear popping on aeroplanes? Several people get horrible ear pain whenever they fly to the point where they cannot fly without them.

Reusable Water Bottle: I always recommend travelling with a water bottle on hand for two reasons. (1) It’s good to have a bottle that the flight attendants can fill up for you so that you’re not stuck to 3 sips of water until the next flight attendant comes back. (2) Having a reusable water bottle can help minimize your plastic waste.

Sweatshirt or Jacket: Planes (or any type of transportation honestly) can sometimes be unbearably cold! We definitely recommend always having a sweatshirt or coat on hand, or both, as we doubt anyone wants to be freezing and uncomfortable for hours on end.

Change of Clothes: No one likes a smelly person but in all honesty, it’s important to have a change of clothes on hand just in case your luggage gets lost. If you’re going on a beach trip, pack a bathing suit. On a hiking trip, pack your spandex. You get the point.

Carabiners: While this may seem a bit random and unthought-of but the carabiners are incredibly useful for travel. I use a carabiner to clip my water bottle to my carry on, as well as to clip my pillow and footrest to the seat in front too.

Technology & Valuables: Anything of value should never be checked. Make sure that all technology and valuables (like jewellery & sunglasses) are packed in your carry on and in a locked compartment. Some of these things may be obvious, but we are still including them if you reference this as your packing list.

Use the list below as a guideline for what to pack tech-wise according to your needs. Perhaps you’ll even find something new to bring with you on your next trip!

Tech-based travel essentials

Smartphone: This is a given these days, but make sure you pack your phone! It’s also incredibly helpful to have some apps downloaded that might help make your travel easier.

Noise Cancelling Headphones (and iPods): Airplanes are noisy. People are noisy. Babies are noisy. Get rid of the environmental noise!
Kindle: Nowadays people don’t go anywhere without Kindle. It allows them to travel with as many books as they’d like, without the burden of actually having to lug them around.

Laptop: Depending on what you do or for how long you’re travelling, you may not need to bring your laptop. Laptop Case: Even if your backpack or messenger bag has a laptop sleeve, be sure to have your laptop in its own protective case!

External Hard Drive: If you’re on the road a lot or take excess photos, you’ll certainly want an external hard drive on hand to back everything up! They’re perfect for any kind of trip, as they’re compact, durable, and water-resistant.

USB Drive: We have heard this many times and can’t even begin to tell you how many times people ask each other for a USB drive with photos. It’s an extremely small, very useful thing to have on you if you’re in the content creation space.

DSLR Camera or a Good Camera Mobile Phone: Now this one is tricky because every person has different travel needs and preferences. Usually, people travel with a Canon, Sony, and Panasonic.

If you are Photo-Crazy: A GoPro is by now we are sure you’ve heard that the GoPro is the best action-cam on the market and, guess what, it’s true. Whether you’re running down the beach, zip-lining through the air, or diving with sharks, the GoPro can help perfectly capture the moment.

Fitbit: It’s no secret that people always love having track of things. The FitBit provides in-depth sleep analytics while also counting steps, calories, and distance walked for the day.

Portable Speaker: If you love music and want to groove regardless of where you are and what you are doing. A portable speaker can help you create a full-on party scene even when you are in your hotel room, a car or somewhere on the road.

Portable Battery Bank: You never know when your phone or camera might die. Many individuals always always always carry a portable battery charger with me. Not only does it ensure that they will always be charged up, but it’s also nice to be able to provide your friends with a bit of juice when their phones die too (because, no, they typically never have an external battery charger).

International Adaptor: No matter where you’re travelling, this is an absolute must. One should always carry at least two international adaptors so that, if one breaks, they always have a backup. One would be surprised how many people forget to pack an international adaptor.

Chargers: If you have a lot of gear, you likely have a lot of cords and cables. While there’s no need to elaborate, these are the main chargers that I always have on hand.
1. Standard USB Cable
2. iPhone Chargers
3. GoPro Charger (if you have one)
4. Laptop Charger Camera Charger (if you plan to take along one)
5. FitBit Charger (if you feel one should be always up and about on your wrist)

Medications: When people think of travel essentials, they don’t typically think of meds, but important Medications should never be checked! Should your luggage be lost, you don’t want to be without your daily meds. If you have prescribed medication, ensure that it is packed in your carry on. Aside from our individual health needs, we recommend packing at minimum Painkillers, Allergy Medications, Motion Sickness Tablets and Malaria Tablets (depending on your destination), as well as Neosporin Cream and Hydrocortisone Cream. And, of course, if you carry an Epi-Pen, don’t forget that either!

Miscellaneous: These are some small things we weren’t sure how to categorize, but make sure to have all of these in the carry on as well!
1. Chewing-Gum
2. Ultra-Light Pack
3. Hand Cream
4. Purell
5. Notebook & Pen
6. Chap-stick
7. Eye Drops
8. Clorox Wipes.

Clothing: Clothing is a tricky one, as this really varies per person.

Travel Clothes for Women
In general, though, you can use the table below as a rough guideline for the types of clothing you should pack. I don’t go anywhere without these things – no matter what season it is. Remember when packing, your clothes will typically get a bit wrinkly, so I recommend bringing a travel-sized wrinkle releaser as well as a dual-voltage travel steamer.
1. Tank Tops
2. Dresses Bathing Suit/Cover-Ups
3. Pajamas
4. T-Shirts Skirts
5. Sweatshirt
6. Long-Sleeved Shirts
7. Rain Jacket
8. Dress Shirts
9. Pants

Toiletries: Do yourself a favour and do take the essential things that you know, you would be needing for your travel.

1. Toothbrush
2. Razor & Extra Razor Heads
3. Nail Clippers
4. Solid Toothpaste and Floss
5. Shaving Cream Mini Straightener
6. Tweezers
7. Deodorant
8. Travel Bottles
9. Hair Ties
10. Band-aids
11. Solid Shampoo/Conditioner
12. Hair Gel Brush/Comb
13. Moisturizer
14. Bar of Soap
15. Feminine Hygiene Products
16. Q-Tips
17. Dry Shampoo
18. Mini Dual-Voltage Hairdryer
19. Tide Stick
20. Makeup & Remover

Shoes: Shoes are always a personal preference. Some people are used to travel with just one pair of flip flops and one pair of hiking boots, but times have changed a bit. Some people practically need a whole suitcase just for their heels. With that said, these days it is recommended to pack sandals, a pair of flip-flops, black heels, nude heels, cross-training shoes, sneakers, and hiking boots when going on a longer trip. And, of course, plenty of socks!

Outdoor Travel Essentials

Camping: So you’ve decided that you want to become one with nature, or you’re simply on a trip that’s better suited for camping awesome! It’s important to note that even if you decide to camp in the summer (or in a desert), it is not always warm at night. It has been learned this the hard way, so make sure you pack many layers and are prepared for every type of climate, every time. The go-to camping equipment is as follows

Sleeping Pad or sleeping bag: A good sleeping pad/sleeping pad is a necessity. People try to go cheap to save money, but it is a terrible decision. It definitely isn’t fun spending the night slipping and sliding off your mat, or feeling the ground under your back.
Sleep Liner: This is something that a lot of people forget about, but it’s incredibly handy. We suggest travelling with a sleep liner for a few reasons. First, it can be an extra layer if it’s colder outside, but it can also be your only layer if it’s too warm for your sleeping bag. Also, it doesn’t need to be used just for camping. Many people when staying in hostels use a sleep liner in bed rather than use the blanket.

Ultra-Light Pillow: You want a comfortable, small blowup pillow to have with you. We have seen way too many people fold up their clothes into an uncomfortable pillow when they could have just brought a lightweight pillow.

Cookware: If you’re camping, it is definitely essential you’ll definitely want the ability to cook easily. We all know though that no one wants to lug metal pots and pans to their campsite.

LED Camping Lantern: You certainly need something to light up your campsite or tent once it gets dark. As I like to keep things small and portable, I always suggest going for a lantern that collapses into itself.

Hiking: It’s important to practice safe hiking anywhere you go. As always, we recommend looking up your hiking trails in advance, letting someone know where you’re going, and having a trail map handy. Bring many layers, in addition to the following.

Hiking Backpack: If you’re planning on taking day trips from your campsite or accommodation, a good hiking backpack is a necessity. I always look for things like good waist support and structure, as well as ample pockets.

Trekkers Pack: If you’re going on a multi-day hike or staying in refugios along the trail, then you’ll need a bigger and better trekkers pack. Like the hiking backpack, this needs to be both structured and very comfortable.

Hydration Pack: Whether you’re going out on a two-hour hike on a hot summer day or a long trek, a water bladder makes a massive difference! You won’t have to deal with taking off your backpack to take a sip or worrying about your water bottle falling out of the side pocket. Plus, you can carry far more water with a hydration pack as well.

Hiking Poles: Hiking Poles are a necessity for any hiker, in our opinion. Hiking poles not only make you a bit faster, but they take some pressure off your knees too, if you can’t find a pole no worries you can always use a wooden stick from wooden branches to support the hike.

Pocket Tissues: You never know when you’ll have a runny nose, have to clean up a spill… or need to pee, if no water is available. Just have them on you.

One of the most essential things to carry outdoors is the First Aid Kit: This should be a given, but usually know plenty of people who don’t hike with one. Should anything happen, it helps to know that you’re properly prepared.

Bug Spray Wipes: Applying bug spray is typically painful and tends to leave you sticky and oily, but not with the wipes! The wipes should be incredibly easy to use, portable, and protective.

Hiking Boots: Wearing good hiking boots is, of course, imperative. Another aspect that’s always important is that they’re waterproof, as you never know what conditions you might be hiking in or if the weather might take a turn.

Down Jacket: Carry a down jacket on every trail, every camping trip, and even every aeroplane. It doesn’t matter whether it’s sweltering hot or cold, always have one to ensure that you are prepared.

Rain Jacket: You’re pretty much crazy if you decide to go hiking without a rain jacket. Not only could the weather change from a beautiful day to an ugly storm in the blink of an eye, but it also serves as a windproof layer as well.

Hat: An easily packable sun hat always comes in handy. While there are plenty of “cute” ones out there, one should make sure that they purchase hats that can both be thrown in the wash and are moisture-wicking.

Buff/mufflers: Buffs have many uses whether you’re wanting to keep your neck, face, or head warm. They’re lightweight and incredibly useful.

Gloves: There are honestly so many warm, cosy gloves on the market that it’s hard to choose just one.

Fitness “On the Go” Essentials

Many people follow their health regime religiously regardless of where they are even while being on the road. Whether I’m in a luxury hotel and eating my heart out, or camping and carb-loading, we can’t say that it’s easy. But it takes conscious effort every single day.

Reading Essentials

For some people stepping out of the house without a good read in hand is an impossible task. Beach reads are always necessary. Sometimes it’s nice to get lost in a good story and enjoy a book with a view. We think it’s best if you check them out yourself to see which one is best for you.

Here are some of the good travel books 
1. Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche
2. What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman
3. Vagabonding by Rolf Potts
4. Wild by Cheryl Strayed
5. On the Road by Jack Kerouac
6. In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
7. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
8. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
9. Drink, Play, F@#k by Bob Sullivan
10. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
11. If you feel like being slightly more intellectual on your vacation, I highly recommend these excellent entrepreneur books:
12. Expert Secrets by Russel Brunson (#1 recommended biz book!)
13. DotCom Secrets by Russel Brunson
14. 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class by Steve Siebold
15. How to Make Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
16. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson
17. Ca$hvertising by Drew Eric Whitman

Benefits of Travel Insurance

While travelling one of the best decisions or most important decisions to make without forgetting is obtaining travel insurance in Pakistan. Travel insurance plans include different assortments of benefits, so you can choose one that offers the best protection for your trip. For instance, the economically priced many plans include a handful of key benefits. The comprehensive plan offers a wide range of benefits to protect you in a variety of circumstances.

Now almost all travel insurance plans include an Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, which adds covered reasons to select benefits for certain losses related to COVID-19 and any future epidemic. Benefits vary by plan. For more information, please see the Epidemic Coverage section in your travel insurance policy details and read the policy document wordings.

Trip Cancellation Benefits

Cancelling a trip at the last minute can be really disappointing and really expensive. Many hotels, car rental companies, tour operators, airlines and other bookings won’t refund the money if you cancel too close to your departure date.
That’s when trip cancellation benefits in travel insurance can save the day. This vital benefit can compensate your prepaid, non-refundable expenses, up to the maximum benefit in the procured travel insurance plan, if the policyholder must cancel the trip due to a covered reason written in the policy document.

The term “covered reason” is important! You’ll see it over and over again in the travel insurance plan documents (and in this guide to travel insurance benefits). Travel insurance doesn’t cover every kind of incident. “Covered reasons” are the specifically named circumstances or events for which are covered in your plan. For trip cancellation, some common covered reasons include the serious illness or injury of an insured traveller or travel companion; the severe illness or injury of a family member; policyholder home or their destination being rendered uninhabitable; and many more.
Travel insurance tip: The best time to purchase travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage is immediately after making your travel arrangements. The earlier the travel insurance is procured, the longer the coverage window.

Trip Interruption Benefits

Sometimes, a planned trip takes an unexpected detour: You trip and fracture your ankle. A cyclone slams your resort. Your tour bus crashes/or has an accident. Trip interruption benefits can compensate your unused, prepaid, non-refundable expenses, up to the maximum benefit provided by the insurance provider in your travel policy, when you’re forced to pause your trip or cut it short for a covered reason.
Trip interruption reimbursements also can reimburse you for extra covered expenses: additional accommodation fees transportation expenses you incur to continue your trip or return home; and additional accommodation and transportation expenses if the interruption stretches your trip.
Travel insurance tip: If you get stranded due to a trip interruption, contact the travel insurance provider for assistance! The provider team can help you figure out the best way to continue your trip or get back home, and can help you with making new travel arrangements.

Travel Delay Benefits

You never planned to spend the weekend in Istanbul but here you are because a snowstorm closed the roads and delayed your road trip to Toronto. So you find a comfortable and warm in and order a big breakfast and the travel delay coverage can cover the costs.
When the trip comes to an unanticipated halt, travel delay benefits make things well. This benefit can reimburse the policyholder for their lost prepaid trip expenses, as well as additional expenses for meals, accommodation, communication, and transportation during a covered delay.
Travel insurance tip: If the travel insurance policy includes, the policyholder can opt to receive a fixed inconvenience payment set by the insurance provider for per insured person and per day expenses, for a covered travel delay (up to the maximum monetary benefit set in by the insurance provider no-receipts limit). With just proof of a covered delay.

Assistance/Concierge Services

Assistance is the heart of getting travel insurance. Every travel insurance policy includes access to 24-Hour Assistance by the insurance provider available anytime by using the provider app or by phone. The call centre team is available to help customers with all kinds of challenges: changes in travel plans, medical emergencies, lost travel documents, misplaced luggage, lost or stolen personal items and other covered issues.
Some plans also include access to our caretakers, who can answer requests ranging from the routine to the extraordinary. Concierge services at some point can also assist with restaurant reservations, event tickets, catering and event planning, sightseeing recommendations, special service referrals and much more. It all depends on the travel policy procured and the benefits offered in the desired plan.
Travel insurance tip: the concierge benefits are included in qualifying plans, but the policyholder is responsible for the cost of tickets, tours, catering, and other goods and services that are not covered by the travel insurance provider.

Emergency Medical Care/Transportation Benefits

Getting sick or injured when the policyholder is far from home is a traveller’s nightmare. Will the policyholder get the care they need? Will there be surprise medical bills to get hit with? How will the insured get home in case of an emergency?
Emergency medical benefits and emergency transportation benefits can give the policyholder the reassurance needed. Together, these benefits may be the most valuable part of your travel insurance plan. Medical providers overseas often do not provide cashless benefits at the time of being admitted/procuring the health insurance benefits; except in Europe, where the policyholder can use the cashless benefit in the travel policy procured for the services rendered. Without travel insurance, the cost of an emergency medical evacuation overseas can reach six figures in some parts of the world.

Emergency medical benefits can reimburse the policyholder for entitled costs of medical care for a sudden, unexpected illness, injury, or medical condition you experience while travelling. Emergency transportation benefits can pay for pre-approved, medically necessary transportation to the nearest appropriate hospital or another facility. These benefits also can pay for medical repatriation, which means the transportation home once the policyholder is medically stable to travel.

Travel insurance tip: If you have a medical emergency while travelling, call the travel insurance provider immediately or use the free provider app as soon as you can safely do so. The insurance provider can help determine where the policyholder can best be treated, establish a connection with the local medical providers, monitor care, keep the family updated, and arrange safe transport home.

Baggage Benefits

Some travellers think travel insurance for baggage only helps when the airline loses your suitcase. It can actually do a lot more! “Baggage” isn’t just your luggage; it’s any personal property you take with you or acquire on your trip.
If the baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen while the policyholder is on the trip, the travel insurance plan can pay the lowest of the following, up to the maximum benefit provided in the travel insurance plan:

The actual cash value of the baggage; the cost to repair damaged baggage; the cost to replace the lost, damaged, or stolen baggage.
Read the baggage benefits section of the travel insurance policy before the start of the travel, so the policyholder can understand what’s covered and what’s excluded. High-value items (such as jewellery or electronic equipment) are covered up to the maximum benefit for high-value items shown in your policy document/declarations. If your baggage is delayed during your outbound trip, your baggage delay benefits can reimburse you for purchasing essential items you need until your baggage arrives. (The length of a covered delay is defined in your plan.)
If the plan includes, the policyholder can opt to receive a fixed inconvenience payment by the insurance provider per insured person, per day, for a covered baggage delay (up to the maximum no-receipts limit).
Travel insurance tip: It’s intelligent to document the items you take on the trip, just in case. Snap some quick pictures as you pack. If you buy any new items for your trip, keep the receipts in case a claim needs to be filed.

Rental Car Benefits

Anyone who has travelled abroad you know how when you rent a car, the agent tries really hard to get you to buy extra insurance?
Here’s a tip: one thing that needs to be remembered is that you probably don’t need everything they’re selling.

Rental car insurance from the policyholder provides primary coverage for covered collision, loss and damage up to the set limit in the policy document, along with 24-hour emergency assistance. This means that if the rental car is stolen, or is damaged in a covered accident or while it’s left unattended, the cost can be covered up to the set limit.
Travel insurance tip: The Rental Car Damage Protector also includes trip interruption benefits and set baggage loss/damage benefits. This makes the coverage a great choice to protect weekend road trips.

5 very good reasons to pack travel insurance before heading on holiday

Reason 1 overseas medical treatment is soooo damn expensive!
Medical costs overseas can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. Seriously, check out the below stats. They hurt. If you need medical treatment overseas and you haven’t got insurance, you’ll be forking out these amounts yourself. Ouchie!
• Medical evacuations from any foreign country range depending on the coverage set in the travel policy document.
• Medical evacuation costs have exceeded a lot
• Daily hospitalisation costs have skyrocketed everywhere in the world

Reason 2 unexpected things/events can happen
Travel insurance covers trip cancellation. What happens if a close family member suddenly falls ill and you can no longer travel? Or maybe you’re already overseas and need to get home quickly? Travel insurance will reimburse you for any pre-paid flights and accommodation and even pay for new flights to get you home (conditions will apply). Cancellation benefits also provide cover from unforeseen events like accidents, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, airline strikes and the death of a close relative.

Reason 3 your stuff is important; so protect it
You arrive at your holiday destination, but the luggage doesn’t. What do you do? Too often people discover that their luggage has been lost or delayed upon arrival at their destination. Or personal items such as cameras, laptops, passports or even cash are lost, stolen or damaged during the holiday. The right travel insurance policy protects the personal belongings and will reimburse the individual for expenses they suffer when replacing the items.

Reason 4 these days’ people get litigated for all sorts of things
Your travel insurance personal liability covers an individual for legal liability if they are involved in an accident or cause damage that was the policyholder fault. Phew!

Reason 5 you deserve to relax when on holiday
Travel insurance brings peace of mind. It sounds absurd to Risk life and money by not getting travel insurance! Which is just plain silly! The unexpected can happen on any type of holiday whether it’s adventurous or a relaxing break. It should be assured that the individual procures the right travel insurance for your trip and enjoy the holiday knowing you’re covered.
There are hundreds of companies in the market from supermarket giants to niche travel insurance brands all offering cover. So where do you start? You can jump online and compare many quotes in one place using a comparison site or contact the individual insurers directly online, or over the phone.

When quoting, some insurers ask you to select the countries you are travelling to and others ask you to choose a region.
1. Worldwide Travel Insurance plan, means anywhere in the world
2. Worldwide Excluding means all destinations excluding USS and Canada
3. Europe means all European countries, including the UK
4. Asia, generally means Asia and the India subcontinent excluding Japan
5. Turkey means specifically for Turkey only

If you’re travelling to multiple destinations in different geographical regions, you must select the highest / furthest away region so that it covers travel in all the lower/closer regions.
The good news, you don’t need to select stop-over countries if your stop-over is less than 48 hours.

How to buy travel insurance?

How long do you intend to travel for?
When buying travel insurance online the individual need to enter a start date, and end date of travel. The start date should be the date that you want to leave home (not the date you land at your destination if you’re flying) and the return date entered online should be the date the traveller intends to return from the trip. If you travel often you may save some cash by purchasing an annual multi-trip travel policy rather than a single trip each time you plan to travel.

Who are you travelling with?

You’ll need to select the number of travellers to be included in the policy and enter the name and date of birth of each traveller.
What are you doing to get there?
It’s easy to get caught out by participating in ‘extreme’ sports and realise you’re not protected! To a certain extent, a few sports and activities are excluded from standard policies, so it’s always a good idea to ensure whether something you want to do on the vacation is covered before you do it.

What are you taking with you when travelling?

Watch out for single item limits within your travel policy coverage. If you’re taking a branded luggage, DSLR camera, laptop, or even your wedding rings check with the insurance provider to make sure the policy covers these high-value items. Some insurance provides the option to increase coverage by paying an additional premium.

Do you have any medical conditions?

Travel insurance when obtained exist to cover the unforeseen, not medical conditions you’re already aware of means the pre-existing condition. The medical conditions that exist before purchasing the travel policy may not be covered.
The policyholder must disclose all previous injuries or illnesses to your insurer whether it be a broken arm, hip replacements, or a short period of bronchitis, the insurance provider needs to know and should be informed. Depending upon the condition, you might have to fill out a medical declaration signed by your doctor and have this assessed by the travel insurance provider before purchasing the policy.
Pre-existing medical conditions apply to everyone listed on the certificate of insurance. So, the person who buys the travel insurance policy and the travelling companions. In the event of cancellation, it applies to the policyholder.
Travel insurance tip: If you’re not sure you meet the standard of “medically able to travel” when you’re buying insurance, consult your healthcare provider first.

Finding the right travel insurance policy for your trip is easy when you follow our fantastic tips!

1. Pick a policy that suits your trip
Single trip policies cover you for one trip (from one day up to 18 months and can be extended from overseas). Annual multi-trip policies cover you for as many trips as you make over the course of a year (internationally and domestically). If you’re a frequent traveller you might be able to save with the multi-trip option. Just remember that annual multi-trip policies have trip duration limits ranging from 15 – 90 days per trip.

2. Choose your level of cover
Most insurers have 3 levels of cover to choose from: Basic (often medical cover only), mid-range and comprehensive. You should pick the cover that best suits the type of holiday and activities you have planned. Remember that not all adventure activities are covered automatically. Buying the cheapest policy could mean you miss out on the vital cover.

3. Buy early to get cancellation cover
If your trip is cancelled or delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, you’ll be covered for any pre-paid expenses. As soon as you’ve booked flights and accommodation, travel insurance should be next on your list!

4. Go with a reputable insurance provider
A good way to find a decent policy is to ask friends and family who they’ve bought from before.
Reading past customer reviews is an excellent way to get the inside story – there’s no sugar-coating it!

5. Be honest
Don’t tell porky pies. It’s important to be honest with your insurer when you take out a policy. Your claim could be rejected otherwise. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, be upfront about them to know you’re covered in case of an emergency.

6. shop around
Just as you might compare flight prices, you can compare insurance policies too. Travel insurance policies vary in price and benefits. A comparison website is an easy way to digest all the information in one place. Remember travel agents and airlines add big commissions on top of the price of the travel insurance they sell. Buying travel insurance direct with the insurer (or through a comparison) means you won’t have to pay these unnecessary extras.

Typical Travel policy exclusions… What’s not Covered?

All travel insurance policies have exclusions – things that you just won’t be covered for. These can always be found in your Product Disclosure Statement.

Unattended items

When coming to what’s excluded in a travel policy in a nutshell, look after your stuff!
Anything that is left out of reach, that isn’t properly supervised, or isn’t safely locked away will be considered unattended and (most probably) not covered if you try to claim for it being lost or stolen. E.g. Insurance provider will not offer you coverage if you left your phone in the back of a taxi, or on the table in a restaurant. Luggage left in a hotel’s stowage room once checked out is also considered unattended and will not be covered in a travel policy!

Being reckless
We know that part of travelling is to experience the new and exciting, but if you deliberately put your life in danger (like jumping off a cliff into the sea) you wouldn’t be covered. Injuries or loss when drugs have been involved may not be covered either. Not-too-of -whatever-makes-you-loose-control-now!

High-risk activities
Hey, their adrenaline junky! Many high-risk activities and extreme sports (e.g. football, boxing, skydiving, competitive cycling, rock climbing, polo and motorsports) are not covered. While on holiday before jumping to these activities always assure whether your planned activities are covered before you go jumping out of a plane (for example.)

Pre-existing medical conditions
Some medical conditions that exist before you travel won’t be covered. Don’t worry it’s not all bad news… Conditions like asthma, osteoporosis, and certain types of diabetes or food allergies, cataracts, congenital blindness, hernia and congenital deafness are often not covered by a standard travel insurance policy. Conditions that are not covered at all include mental, psychological or nervous disorders including anxiety, depression, neurosis or psychosis, terminal illness, cancer, aids or STD’s.
If you do have a pre-existing condition, it’s not to say that you will be travelling without any cover at all. You can still buy a travel insurance policy that would provide cover for all other benefits, and for all the unrelated illness or injury to your pre-existing condition would of course still be covered. No travel insurance providers in Pakistan covers pregnancy or provides coverage for any expenses related to pregnancy.

Unlicensed travel
Travelling in/on a car that you (or the driver) are not licensed to drive is not covered. Riding a motorcycle or scooter in Thailand or Bali is a common one. Make sure you wear a helmet too! That means following all safety protocols. Sometimes holidays don’t go as planned, so it is important to understand what is required of you should you need to make a travel insurance claim.
One of the most important things is to familiarise yourself with the travel insurance policy.

Have evidence
What every traveller needs to understand is that before travel read the policy document thoroughly, understand what is covered and what is not, paying particular attention to exclusions and how to make a claim should the need arise. Like receipts, bank statements, photographs, photocopies or serial numbers so you can prove ownership of your belongings.
Always get written proof and Report incidents ASAP! Whether it is flight delays, cancellations, hospital stays to back up your claim. The policyholder must report any loss, theft or damage to the insurer, the local police, transport provider, or the concerned authority within 24 hours, or as soon as possible.

Be honest, Know who to call
When you buy your policy make known about any pre-existing conditions. If you lie about the medical history and then become ill oversees the insurance provider may deny the claim. All insurance providers have customer service to call in an emergency. It is a good idea to keep the number safe with you, along with the policy details.

Q: COVID Coverage and Travel Insurance?
Yes! All travel insurance policies have an in-built COVID-19 coverage, what the policyholder needs to understand is that the PCR test to detect COVID-19 or any doctor check-up related to the disease is covered. What is covered in the travel insurance policies is the hospitalization that can incur due to COVID-19. If that happens to an individual while travelling, the travel insurance policy full cover the complete expenses incurred by the policyholder after hospital admission.
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Q:Travel Insurance Cancellation Process?
Once purchased, the travel insurance policy can only be cancelled upon the rejection visa papers provided by the respective embassy.

Q:Do I get a refund on Travel Insurance Cancellation?
Yes! The individual can request a refund for the cancelled policy, terms and conditions applied. The refund of the travel insurance policy will only be processed when the policyholder provides the required visa rejection papers by the respective country embassy for which the travel insurance was purchased.

What are the charges for each travel insurance policy?

Individual Plans

1. The travel policy for Hajj and Umrah starts from as low as PKR 250 premium with medical coverage of PKR75000
2. The travel policy for the UK travel starts from as low as PKR 550 premium with $10,000 medical coverage
3. The travel policy for Turkey travel starts from as low as PKR 1250 premium with $50,000 medical coverage
4. The travel policy for Schengen Countries travel starts from as low as PKR 1250 premium with $50,000 medical coverage
5. The travel policy for USA & Canada travel starts from as low as PKR 675 premium with $10,000 medical coverage
6. The travel policy for worldwide travel starts from as low as PKR 1400 premium with $50,000 medical coverage

Family Plans

1. The travel policy for Hajj and Umrah starts from as low as PKR 800 premium with medical coverage of $5000
2. The travel policy for the UK travel starts from as low as PKR 1500 premium with $10,000 medical coverage
3. The travel policy for Turkey travel starts from as low as PKR 2146 premium with $50,000 medical coverage
4. The travel policy for Schengen Countries travel starts from as low as PKR 2146 premium with $50,000 medical coverage
5. The travel policy for USA & Canada travel starts from as low as PKR 1100 premium with $10,000 medical coverage
6. The travel policy for worldwide travel starts from as low as PKR 2300 premium with $50,000 medical coverage

If you still have questions related to travel insurance questions? No worries! Get in touch and one of our friendly travel experts and we will get back to you in a jiffy!

For specific policy-related queries, the policyholder can refer to the policy document. This is a document required by the host countries when you plan to travel and contains information designed to help you decide whether to buy the policy and to compare it with other policies you may be considering.