Glossary of Important Insurance Terms

Reading through an insurance policy brochure can seem like reading in a foreign language sometimes – all those terms and descriptions sound complicated and unusual. We’re here to put all you need to know about travel insurance into plain and simple language. And if you’re looking for good deals on international travel insurance, the best place to find them is online.

Exclusions are the healthcare services or baggage items that are not included or covered on your medical travel insurance policy. Every policy has a different set of exclusions and the only way to learn about them is to read the policy. Exclusions are usually as a result of pre-existing medical conditions or because the insurance policy doesn’t cover you in certain areas. A pre-existing medical condition is usually defined as an illness, disease or condition that you know about and that exists at the time of your insurance application, or during a certain time period before your policy starts (depending on the insurer.) Pre-existing conditions may give rise to exclusions (see above).

Your insurance premium is the amount you will pay when you buy the insurance coverage. An insurance premium is paid in one lump sum, annually, or monthly, to cover the entire trip. An individual policy means one individual is covered by the insurance. This differs from a group policy where members of a group or workforce are covered by the same insurance.

Hazardous sports coverage means insurance cover for activities that are deemed hazardous by the insurer (again, these sports will differ depending on which insurance you choose so check the policy wording.) Hazardous sports include hang gliding, scuba diving, mountain climbing, skiing and snowboarding among others. Emergency evacuation means a transfer by medical plane or ambulance to a suitable medical facility. This medical facility may be in another country, or an emergency medical evacuation may involve transferring an injured person back to their home country for treatment.