What is Travel Insurance and What Does it Cover?

Travel insurance protects travelers from unplanned, unfortunate circumstances, from trip cancellations and delays to serious medical emergencies. But, do you actually need travel insurance when going to Qatar? If so, what kind of coverage do you need? 

In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about travel insurance in Qatar so you can enjoy your trip stress-free. 

Travel insurance is designed to protect against unforeseen events when you're traveling. It can include medical coverage, flight cancellations, accidents, and legal fees. It also covers losses sustained while traveling. Insurance policies may include coverage for baggage or passport loss as well.

In Qatar, health insurance for all visitors is mandatory for the duration of their stay. They won’t be able to enter the country without it. So, having a travel insurance policy is a must. 

There are two main types of travel insurance in Qatar: single-trip and annual multi-trip policies.

The first one covers only one trip for a limited time (usually between 1 and 2 weeks). Therefore, it's a good choice for those who travel once or twice per year.

Alternatively, an annual multi-trip policy provides coverage for multiple trips taken throughout the year, each of them having a maximum duration of usually 30 or 90 days (depending on the insurer).

In addition, some insurance companies in Qatar offer travel insurance based on the traveler: 

• Student travel insurance: A policy that provides coverage to students traveling abroad

• Group travel insurance: A policy that gives group discounts to groups of five or more people traveling overseas

• Senior travel insurance: A policy that provides coverage to travelers over the age of 64 years may also include pre-existing conditions

Applying for travel insurance is easy, although there are some things that you need to think about before you choose an insurer.

First, make sure that the insurer is legitimate and has been around for a while. 

If they do, it might be worth looking into a policy from them instead of one from a new company that does not have experience in the field.

You should also consider how much money you will have to spend on this type of insurance. It may seem like a lot at first, but when you add up all of the costs involved in traveling and buying food and so on. It can really add up over time. You should also consider how long you will be gone and whether or not you will be able to make it home safely.

Several factors can affect the cost of your travel insurance, such as: 

• Your age: For example, if you're over 70, you may have to pay more than someone in their twenties or thirties. That's because older people are more likely to need medical treatment when they're abroad

• The country you're traveling to

• The length of your stay: Longer trips tend to be more expensive

• Whether or not you already have health insurance coverage: If you already have health insurance coverage, you can use that to pay for medical expenses abroad instead of buying travel insurance. However, most health insurers don't offer emergency medical transportation coverage, something that’s typically included with travel insurance policies

You must always purchase travel insurance with the correct travel duration and destination in mind. Some policies even cover trips up to three months in duration, so make sure that you inquire about this type of coverage before purchasing it.

Luckily, with QIC, you’ll be able to obtain your travel insurance online. The process won’t take more than a couple of minutes, and you’ll receive:

• Coverage from the second you purchase your insurance

• Emergency medical assistance within Qatar

• Emergency evacuation to your home country

• Repartiation of mortal remains

Given all the preparations for a long journey abroad, it is easy to forget that it's just as important to plan how to get support if an emergency arises. You're traveling for a reason, and you don't want to put your trip at risk. 

Thankfully, it won’t take more than two minutes to apply for travel insurance, and you’ll soon be able to enjoy your trip knowing you’re fully protected. 

Have a safe trip!