A little time spent understanding your travel insurance coverage can help you avoid major expenses and save thousands of dirhams when you need support most.
Buying travel insurance is often an afterthought for many holidaymakers. After spending hours searching for the best flight deals and accommodation, travellers frequently choose the cheapest available policy without closely reviewing the coverage. However, insurance experts warn that this approach could prove to be one of the most expensive mistakes of a trip.
Many travellers purchase insurance only because it is a visa requirement, but experts say this misses its true purpose. “That’s the wrong way to look at it,” said Anas Mistareehi, CEO of eSanad.
“The purpose of travel insurance is not just to satisfy visa requirements. It is about ensuring that a serious illness, surgery, or medical evacuation does not become a major financial burden,” said Anas Mistareehi, CEO of eSanad.
Pavan Poojary of Luxury Travels said many customers focus on only one question when purchasing travel insurance: “What is the cheapest policy?” rather than looking closely at what the coverage includes.
The cheapest policy may not be the most affordable
Saving Dh30 or Dh50 on travel insurance may appear worthwhile at the time of purchase, but it could result in much higher costs if an emergency occurs. Mistareehi said many travellers compare only medical coverage and baggage benefits when selecting a policy.
“However, that is only part of the picture,” he said.
Travellers should also review whether their policy includes emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation, personal liability, and arrangements for an early return home if an emergency interrupts their holiday. Pavan added that those planning activities such as skiing, scuba diving, or trekking should confirm that adventure sports are included.
“We often see travellers discovering these exclusions only when they attempt to make a claim,” he said.
How much medical coverage is sufficient?
A common misconception among travellers is that the same level of insurance coverage works for every destination.
“That is not true,” Mistareehi said. He recommends having at least US$100,000 in emergency medical coverage, along with medical evacuation and repatriation benefits, regardless of the destination.
For countries with high healthcare costs, including the United States and Canada, he advises considering coverage between US$250,000 and US$500,000.
Travel insurance policies currently available in the UAE offer medical coverage ranging from US$50,000 to US$500,000, allowing travellers to choose plans based on their destination and needs.
Why are travel insurance claims rejected?
Many travellers assume having insurance guarantees that every claim will be accepted. However, experts warn that this is not always the case.
“The most common reason claims are rejected is because the situation is not covered under the policy,” Mistareehi explained.
He said claim issues often arise when travellers fail to disclose pre-existing medical conditions, participate in activities excluded from their policy, or travel against medical advice.
Other common reasons include purchasing insurance after an incident has already occurred, delaying notification to the insurer, or failing to provide the required documents to support a claim.
“If your baggage goes missing, do not simply leave the airport. Obtain the required report from the airline. Similarly, if your belongings are stolen, file a police report and keep all receipts,” he advised.
Claims related to alcohol consumption, illegal activities, or travel to excluded destinations may also be declined.
Hospitalised abroad? Inform your insurer quickly
While receiving immediate medical attention should always be the priority during an overseas emergency, travellers should not wait until returning to the UAE before informing their insurer.
“Seek emergency treatment immediately. Then contact your insurer’s 24-hour assistance team as soon as possible, or ask someone to do it on your behalf,” Mistareehi said.
Providing details such as the policy number, hospital information, diagnosis, and expected treatment at an early stage allows insurers to coordinate with medical providers and, where possible, arrange direct payments instead of requiring travellers to pay large bills themselves.
Travellers should also keep copies of medical reports, prescriptions, invoices, and receipts, as these documents may be required during the claims process.
Is comprehensive travel insurance worth the extra cost?
Many travellers believe comprehensive travel insurance is expensive, but Mistareehi said this is another misconception.
For a healthy adult travelling internationally for one week, comprehensive travel insurance from the UAE typically costs between Dh75 and Dh200, depending on factors such as destination, age, and planned activities.
Single-trip policies currently start at around Dh76 for standard coverage and Dh99 for premium coverage, while family plans begin at approximately Dh190.
For the additional cost, travellers generally receive higher medical coverage, stronger protection against trip cancellations or interruptions, improved baggage and travel delay benefits, emergency evacuation support, personal liability coverage, and additional assistance services.
Pavan said travellers should not view insurance as merely another requirement to complete before boarding a flight.
“A holiday may last only a week or two, but spending a few extra minutes understanding your travel insurance could save you thousands of dirhams when you need help the most,” he said.
