Travel insurance abroad: what to check before you fly

Medical treatment abroad is expensive: even a simple doctor's visit can cost hundreds of dollars, and hospitalisation thousands. Travel medical insurance covers these costs. Before buying a policy, check five points.

Country and dates. The policy must be valid in all countries on your route and for all days of the trip, including transit and the day of return.

Sum insured. Schengen countries require coverage of at least 30 000 euros. For expensive destinations such as the USA or Japan, it is better to choose a higher amount.

Active leisure. Skiing, diving and other sports are often not included in a basic policy. If you are planning active leisure, choose the relevant option.

Deductible. Check whether the policy has a deductible and what part of the costs you will have to pay yourself.

What to do in an insured event. Save the assistance company's phone number from the policy and call it before going to a clinic: then the treatment will be paid directly and you won't have to pay out of your own pocket.

On Generate you can calculate a travel policy online in a couple of minutes: choose the country and travel dates, compare offers from insurance companies and submit an application.