Planning a trip is exciting, but what about the unexpected? Learn how to purchase your international travel insurance in 3 simple steps and ensure your peace of mind. It's a small investment that protects your heal...
Planning a trip is exciting, but what about the unexpected? Learn how to purchase your international travel insurance in 3 simple steps and ensure your peace of mind. It's a small investment that protects your health, your money, and your adventure, allowing you to enjoy every moment without worries. To purchase your travel insurance, follow these 3 steps: 1) Evaluate your destination and trip type, 2) Compare coverages and prices, 3) Make an online purchase and receive your policy instantly.
How to Purchase International Travel Insurance: Step-by-Step Guide
Why is it Essential to Purchase International Travel Insurance?
Traveling with international travel insurance is not a luxury; it's a fundamental necessity. Think of it as a minimal investment to protect your bigger investment: your trip and, most importantly, your well-being. A setback, however small it may seem at home, can become a financial and logistical crisis abroad. From a simple medical consultation to a serious emergency, costs can quickly escalate, transforming a dream trip into a financial nightmare.
The main reason is medical assistance. Healthcare systems abroad are not free for tourists. A visit to a general practitioner in the United States can cost between $300 and $500 USD. A more serious emergency, such as appendicitis or a fracture, can result in bills exceeding $50,000 USD. In Europe, although costs may be lower than in the US, hospitalization without insurance still represents thousands of euros. Travel insurance gives you access to a network of hospitals and doctors, and the assistance company takes care of coordinating and covering these expenses directly.
But the protection goes far beyond medical. Consider these common scenarios:
- Trip Cancellation: Imagine that a week before your flight, a close family member becomes seriously ill and you have to cancel everything. Without insurance, you would lose the money for flights, hotels, and tours already paid for. With specific cancellation coverage, you can recover those non-refundable expenses.
- Lost Luggage: The airline loses your suitcase, and you arrive at your destination without clothes or essential items. Good insurance provides financial compensation so you can buy essentials while your luggage appears or to replace it if it's permanently lost.
- Flight Delays and Cancellations: Your flight is delayed for more than 6 hours, causing you to miss a connection or a hotel night. Travel insurance can cover the unforeseen expenses for food, accommodation, and transportation that this generates.
Finally, many countries require travel insurance as a mandatory entry requirement. The best-known case is the Schengen Area in Europe, which requires a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros. Other destinations like Cuba, Thailand, or Turkey also have similar regulations. Attempting to enter without valid insurance can result in denied entry and immediate deportation. For all these reasons, purchasing travel insurance for Europe or any other destination is not an option, but the first step towards responsible and safe travel.
Step 1: Evaluate your trip and define your coverage needs
Before clicking "buy," it's crucial to consider the specific characteristics of your trip. There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy; the best insurance is one that perfectly adapts to your itinerary, activities, and traveler profile. A detailed analysis at this stage will ensure you purchase the coverage you truly need, without overpaying or being under-protected.
Analyze your destination(s)
Your travel destination is the most determining factor when choosing your medical coverage amount.
- United States, Canada, Japan, or Switzerland: These countries are known for having the highest medical costs in the world. An emergency room visit for a minor incident can cost thousands of dollars. For these destinations, it's imprudent to travel with basic coverage. A plan with robust medical coverage, ideally $100,000 USD or more, like our Premium Plan, is recommended.
- Schengen Area and Europe: Most European countries require a minimum coverage of €30,000 (approximately $33,000 USD) to enter. Traveling with less exposes you to being denied entry at the border. Our Standard Plan, with $35,000 USD coverage, not only meets but exceeds this requirement.
- South America and Southeast Asia: Generally, medical costs are more accessible in these regions. A plan with $35,000 USD to $50,000 USD coverage is usually sufficient for most unforeseen events, offering an excellent balance between protection and price.
- Remote or hard-to-reach destinations: If your adventure takes you to isolated islands, jungles, or mountains, ensure your plan has excellent medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. Getting you out of a remote location by helicopter or air ambulance is extremely costly.
Consider the duration and type of trip
The duration of your stay directly influences the cost, as Baraglo's plans are calculated per day, offering flexibility. A weekend getaway is not the same as a two-month journey. For longer trips, the statistical risk of an unforeseen event increases, so higher coverage is always a good idea. Additionally, you should define the purpose of your trip:
- Family trip: Look for plans that offer pediatric telemedicine assistance and comprehensive coverage for all family members. The peace of mind of knowing your children are protected is priceless.
- Adventure and sports: Planning to go trekking, snorkeling, skiing, or surfing? Check that your insurance covers amateur sports. Most standard plans do, but for high-risk activities like deep-sea diving, skydiving, or mountaineering, you might need additional coverage.
- Business trip: Punctuality and equipment are key. Consider a plan with good coverage for trip cancellation or interruption, as well as for theft or damage to your electronic devices like laptops and phones.
- Travelers over 75 years old: It's natural for the risk of needing medical assistance to increase with age. At Baraglo, travelers over 75 have a 50% surcharge on the plan value, which guarantees access to the robust global assistance network needed to travel with complete confidence at any age.
Estimate the value of your belongings
Before choosing a plan, quickly inventory the value of what you're carrying in your suitcase. Add up the approximate cost of your laptop, camera, phone, clothes, and other valuables. Compare this total with the baggage coverage offered by each plan. If you're traveling with expensive electronic equipment, opt for a plan with a higher baggage coverage limit to be fully protected in case of theft or loss.
Step 2: Compare plans and coverages (not just the price!)
Once you have a clear profile of your trip, it's time to dive into the available plans. It's tempting to choose the cheapest option, but this is one of the most common and costly mistakes. The key is to understand what each coverage means and how it aligns with your needs. At Baraglo, we are committed to transparency so you can make an informed decision.
Glossary of key coverages you need to understand
When comparing insurance, you'll encounter a series of technical terms. Here, we explain the most important ones simply:
- Medical assistance for accident or illness: This is the core of any travel insurance. It covers expenses for medical consultations, hospitalization, surgical procedures, examinations, and prescribed medications for an emergency occurring during your trip. It does not cover routine check-ups or treatment of pre-existing conditions, except for acute and unforeseen crises.
- Medical and funeral repatriation: This coverage is crucial and can save your family hundreds of thousands of dollars. Medical repatriation covers the transfer back to your home country on a regular plane with medical escort or an air ambulance if your condition requires it. Funeral repatriation covers the costs of transporting mortal remains back home in case of death.
- "Multi-cause" trip cancellation and interruption: These are two distinct coverages. Cancellation reimburses you for non-recoverable expenses if you have to cancel your trip before it starts due to a covered cause (e.g., serious illness of yourself or a direct family member). Interruption covers you if you are already traveling and have to return home earlier than expected due to an emergency, reimbursing the unused portion of the trip.
- Baggage coverage: Compensates you if the airline permanently loses your checked baggage (after a search period). It can also cover theft of your belongings (requires a police report) or damage during transport. It's important to know the limits per item and the total maximum.
- Other important benefits: Look for additional coverages that add value, such as emergency dentistry (to relieve pain or infection), 24/7 telemedicine (to speak with a doctor via video call), legal assistance, advance of funds in case of theft, and baggage location.
Baraglo Plans: Your custom solution
At Baraglo, we have designed our plans to meet the real needs of Latin American travelers, with clear prices and robust coverages. Here's a comparison to help you decide:
| Feature |
Visa Schengen Plan |
Standard Plan |
Essential Plus Plan |
Premium Plan |
| Total Medical Assistance |
USD 30,000 |
USD 35,000 |
USD 50,000 |
USD 100,000 |
| Meets Europe Requirement |
✅ (Equivalent to €30,000) |
✅ (Exceeds minimum) |
✅ (Exceeds significantly) |
✅ (Maximum protection) |
| Baggage Loss |
USD 1,000 |
USD 1,200 |
USD 1,200 |
USD 2,000 |
| Trip Cancellation |
Up to USD 500 |
Up to USD 1,000 |
Up to USD 1,500 |
Up to USD 3,000 |
| Price per day/person |
$2.99 USD |
$4.99 USD |
$5.29 USD |
$8.99 USD |
Which Baraglo plan to choose for your trip?
Based on the table and your trip evaluation, the choice is simpler:
- Visa Schengen Plan: This is your option if you are a citizen of the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, or Bolivia and your sole objective is to meet the minimum requirement for processing your Schengen visa at the lowest possible cost.
- Europe Plan / Standard Plan: If you are from any other LATAM country and traveling to Europe, you do not need a visa, but you do need to meet the entry requirement. Purchasing travel insurance for Europe is a requirement. A plan must cover at least €30,000; Baraglo's Standard Plan offers $35,000 USD from only $4.99 per day. This plan offers the best value for money for most destinations.
- Essential Plus Plan: For a minimal price difference, this plan gives you a significant leap in medical coverage to $50,000 USD. It's an excellent option for those seeking extra peace of mind on trips to Europe, Asia, or South America, or for slightly longer stays.
- Premium Plan: This is the undisputed choice for travel to the United States, Canada, or any destination with high medical costs. It's also the best choice for travelers who simply want the maximum possible protection, with $100,000 USD in medical assistance and the highest limits for trip cancellation and baggage.
Explore our insurance plans in detail to see the full list of benefits and choose with complete confidence.
Step 3: Purchase your international travel insurance online with Baraglo
Long gone are the days of visiting agencies and filling out endless forms. Today, technology allows you to secure your trip from the comfort of your home. In fact, the process to purchase international travel insurance with Baraglo is completed online in less than 5 minutes. Our platform is designed to be intuitive, fast, and secure. Here, we guide you step-by-step.
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Enter your trip details on Baraglo.com
Upon entering our homepage, you will find a very visible quote tool. The first step is to enter your basic trip information:
- Destination: Enter the main country or region you are traveling to. If you are visiting several countries (for example, a tour through Europe), you can select "Multiple destinations" or simply indicate the continent. Our plans have global coverage (with some exceptions specified in the terms).
- Travel dates: Select the date you leave your country of residence and the date you return. It is very important that the coverage spans your entire trip, from takeoff until landing back home.
- Traveler ages: Enter the age of each person traveling. This information is crucial for calculating the price correctly, especially if there are people over 75 in the group.
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Compare and choose your ideal plan
With your trip information, our system will instantly show you available plans with their final prices. You will see a comparative table like the one shown in the previous section. Take a minute to review the main coverages (medical assistance, baggage, cancellation) and choose the plan that best aligns with the needs you defined in Step 1. Traveling to the USA? Go for the Premium Plan. A trip through South America? The Standard or Essential Plus are perfect. Click "Select" on your preferred plan.
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Complete traveler information
Once the plan is chosen, you will go to a page to enter the personal data of each traveler. Generally, you will be asked for:
- Full name (as it appears on your passport)
- Date of birth
- Passport or identity document number
- Email address (very important that it is correct!)
- Contact phone number
Verify that all information is accurate. An error in the name or document number could cause problems if you need to use the insurance.
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Make a secure payment
The last step is payment. At Baraglo, we use an encrypted and secure payment gateway to protect your financial information. You can pay with major international credit or debit cards. Once payment is approved, the process is complete.
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Receive your policy and travel protected!
Immediately after payment, you will receive a confirmation email. Attached to this email you will find your complete insurance policy and an assistance certificate or voucher. This document contains a summary of your coverages and, most importantly, the phone numbers for the 24/7 assistance center. We recommend saving a digital copy on your phone and in the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox) and, if possible, carrying a printed copy with you. And that's it! You can now get a quote for your travel assistance and embark on your adventure with the certainty that Baraglo has your back.
Common mistakes when purchasing your insurance (and how to avoid them)
Knowing how to purchase insurance is as important as knowing which mistakes not to make. A small oversight in the buying process can leave you with inadequate coverage or, worse, without coverage when you need it most. Below, we break down the most frequent pitfalls and tell you how to avoid them to guarantee real and effective protection.
Mistake 1: Waiting until the last minute to purchase
Many travelers leave purchasing insurance until the day before the trip, or even the same day at the airport. This is a serious mistake for two main reasons. First, one of the most valuable coverages is trip cancellation. This coverage is only valid if you purchase the insurance before the event that forces you to cancel occurs. If you buy the insurance after your child gets sick, for example, you will not have coverage. Ideally, you should purchase your assistance right after buying your flights and booking your hotel. Second, with the pre-travel rush, it's easy to forget entirely, leaving you completely unprotected.
Mistake 2: Not reading what is covered and, more importantly, what is not covered (exclusions)
Every policy has an "Exclusions" section, which details situations that are not covered. Ignoring this section is a risk. Common exclusions in the industry usually include:
- Pre-existing medical conditions: Travel insurance is designed for unforeseen emergencies, not to treat chronic conditions you already had. However, many Baraglo plans do cover the first assistance for an acute crisis of a pre-existing condition up to a certain limit.
- Reckless or illegal acts: Injuries sustained under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while committing a crime, will not be covered.
- Undeclared professional or high-risk sports: If you participate in a competition or practice extreme sports like skydiving without specific coverage, the insurance might not respond.
At Baraglo, we strive for transparency, presenting our coverages and exclusions clearly in the terms and conditions. Take 10 minutes to read them to know exactly the extent of your protection.
Mistake 3: Choosing the cheapest plan without considering the destination
We've mentioned it before, but it bears repeating: price isn't everything. Purchasing our Basic plan with $20,000 USD coverage for a trip to the United States is extremely risky; that amount could be depleted with a single night of hospitalization. Similarly, that Basic plan would be useless for entering Europe, as it does not meet the minimum requirement of €30,000. Always analyze the relationship between the cost of the plan and the destination's risk level. It's better to invest a few more dollars per day in a plan like Essential Plus or Premium and travel with the certainty that you are truly covered.
Mistake 4: Blindly relying on credit card insurance
Many high-end credit cards (Gold, Platinum, Black) offer "travel insurance" as a benefit. While it may seem like a way to save money, these coverages are often far inferior to those of dedicated travel insurance. Unlike credit card insurance, dedicated travel insurance like Baraglo offers 24/7 assistance and significantly higher medical coverages, up to $100,000 USD.
The main drawbacks of credit card insurance are:
- Low coverage amounts: Often, medical assistance is limited to $25,000 USD or less.
- Reimbursement-based: In an emergency, you have to pay all expenses out of pocket and then initiate a lengthy process to request reimbursement from the card, with no guarantee of approval. Travel insurance like Baraglo works through direct assistance: you call the center, and they coordinate and pay the medical provider.
- Strict requirements: Most require you to have paid 100% of the airfares with that specific card for coverage to activate.
- Exclusions and fine print: They usually have many more exclusions and a much more bureaucratic claims process.
Your credit card insurance can serve as a secondary complement but should never be your sole or primary source of protection on an international trip.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I purchase international travel insurance?
Ideally, you should purchase your travel insurance right after buying your flights or booking your hotel. This way, you'll be covered against any unforeseen event that forces you to cancel the trip before it begins.
What insurance do I need if my country requires a Schengen Visa to go to Europe?
You need insurance that meets the requirement of a minimum medical coverage of €30,000. If you are from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, or Bolivia, our Visa Schengen Plan ($2.99/day) is perfect. For travelers from other LATAM countries who travel visa-exempt, the Standard Plan ($4.99/day with $35K USD coverage) meets and exceeds this entry requirement.
What is the best international travel insurance?
The best travel insurance is one that adapts to your needs and destination. For a tight budget with excellent coverage, Baraglo's Standard Plan is ideal. If you're looking for maximum protection and peace of mind, especially for destinations like the United States, the Premium Plan is the best option.
How do I use travel insurance in case of an emergency?
In case of an emergency, you must immediately contact the 24/7 assistance number listed on your Baraglo policy. A team of experts will guide you in your language on the steps to follow and coordinate the assistance you need.
Ready to travel with the peace of mind you deserve? Don't leave your safety to chance. Get a quote for your international travel insurance with Baraglo in less than 3 minutes and receive your policy instantly. Your next adventure awaits, protected!
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