Costa Rica insurance and additional lines of temporary travel insurance rarely head the list of exciting vacation topics, but it pays to take a little time to make sure you are fully covered nonetheless. No one plans to have an accident or misfortune while on vacation, but if the unexpected does interrupt an otherwise happy trip, the right insurance can mean the difference between a miserable disaster and a slight bump in the road.
Before purchasing a separate temporary travel policy for your Costa Rica insurance coverage, first check with your major credit card issuers and your other insurance policies. You may already be covered under one or all of these for lost, luggage, cancelled tickets, or medical expenses.
Many home insurance policies include coverage for theft of your belongings anywhere in the world, up to a fairly generous limit.
Once you know what kind of Costa Rica insurance coverage you already have through your other policies, expect to pay between five and eight percent of the cost of your trip for specialized Costa Rica insurance for travelers.
The most commonly purchased specialized Costa Rica insurance policies for travelers are trip cancellation insurance, medical insurance, and lost luggage insurance.
Trip cancellation insurance helps you get your money back if you have to back out of a trip through no fault of your own. Some of the reasons you might need to back out include when the provider goes bankrupt (more common than you might expect), or when an emergency at home forces you to cancel your plans and leave early.
Most Costa Rica insurance policies for trip cancellation won’t cover simple nervousness about a destination or political climate however, so if you are tempted to back out on your own because you are nervous, make a phone call to your Costa Rica insurance carrier to make sure it is covered. Also, be aware that many guided tours and field trips already include trip cancellation insurance as part of the price of the excursion, so read the fine print when you book, before you purchase excess Costa Rica insurance.
Most health insurance companies outside of Costa Rica will not pay for medical expenses overseas, but some will reimburse part of your expenses once you return home.
Costa Rica medical care is excellent but you will be asked to pay up front if you are from outside the country, so purchasing a temporary Costa Rica insurance policy for medical expenses may be a good idea. To purchase a temporary Costa Rica insurance policy for medical care contact Medex Assistance (www.medexassist.com) or Travel Assistance International (www.travelassistance.com).
Costa Rica insurance policies for lost luggage are limited to $9.07 USD per pound or about $635 per bag. Do not purchase lost baggage insurance at the airport, since it is usually overpriced. Call your home insurance provider instead and find out if lost baggage is already covered and for how much.
If you do need a specialized Costa Rica insurance policy for lost baggage, make sure to file the claim the minute the baggage is lost, or you may lose out.
Taking these simple steps to insure your health and safety on your trip is worth a few phone calls and a few extra dollars. Just like at home, insurance seems a nuisance if you never use it, but if you do find yourself in a rough spot on vacation, extra Costa Rica insurance can be a lifesaver.
Related links:
How to Choose a Costa Rica Vacation Package
Costa Rica for Women, Families, Gays, and Special Needs Travelers
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