With Japan currently in the midst of its summer discount season and Taiwan entering its peak summer travel period, many parents have already planned their family trips to Japan. According to surveys, over 45% of people traveling to Japan prefer independent travel. Property insurance providers note that when traveling abroad independently, purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is especially important—and there are three must-have coverage items.
Many parents prefer independent travel for family trips mainly because of the greater flexibility it offers. According to the “2017 Travel Intentions Survey,” 45.3% of Taiwanese people prefer independent travel when going abroad. Looking at data from the past three years, the proportion of those who prefer independent travel has surpassed group tour rates (28.1%) for the first time.
However, since independent travel doesn’t include guides or tour leaders, it’s even more crucial to plan comprehensive travel insurance for the whole family before departure to avoid being left helpless in case of emergencies during the trip.
Shin’an Tokyo Marine Insurance states that there are three essential coverage items for independent travel abroad: first is “Overseas Sudden Illness Insurance,” as children generally have lower immunity than adults. If they suffer from acute appendicitis or other conditions requiring hospitalization while abroad, this insurance covers such situations.
The second is “Accidental Injury Medical Insurance (reimbursement type),” which is particularly important because children are very active. If they fall, get injured, or even fracture a bone, this insurance can provide coverage. The third is “Personal Liability Insurance.” Since children are energetic and active, if they accidentally break tableware or damage merchandise at a restaurant, and compensation is required, the liability coverage under travel inconvenience insurance can reimburse the merchant for their losses.
In addition to these three essential coverage items, Lü Wenquan, Deputy General Manager and spokesperson of Shin’an Tokyo Marine Insurance, noted that summer is also typically typhoon season. To avoid flight delays caused by typhoons disrupting travel plans, “Travel Inconvenience Insurance” is also a must-have item.
Many people purchase travel insurance before their trips in hopes of reducing unexpected risks. Hong Rugang, Associate Manager of the Business Planning Department at Cathay Insurance, suggests that when purchasing travel insurance, it’s best to choose policies that include “Travel Inconvenience Insurance” to broaden your coverage. In cases where flights are delayed due to weather or luggage is lost or delayed due to airline errors, having “Travel Inconvenience Insurance” can help reduce potential losses.