Many travelers believe that travel insurance and travel assistance are the same. Knowing the difference between the two is essential to choosing the right protection for your trip.
What is the difference between travel insurance and travel assistance?
The main difference is that travel insurance only activates after an incident occurs, while travel assistance activates during the problem to provide a comprehensive solution. It helps in the moment and pays the provider directly, preventing the traveler from having to use their own money during the trip.
What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance operates on a reimbursement basis and always after the problem has occurred. These are insurance policies issued directly to the traveler.
In the case of a simple medical issue, for example, if the traveler has travel insurance, they must find a doctor where they are, arrange the visit, and pay for the consultation.
For example, a medical consultation in Europe would cost no less than €300, and in the United States, it could be as high as $500.
Once back in their home country, the reimbursement process begins, where the traveler presents receipts and gets reimbursed, but there are often fine print limitations, and the purchased plan may have caps that only appear when making a claim.
What is travel assistance?
Travel assistance provides a comprehensive service. For example, in the same case of a common medical issue, by contacting the assistance provider, a network provider will be activated to arrange either an in-person or virtual visit, and they will pay the provider directly, avoiding the need for the traveler to pay out of pocket.
Travel assistance is more than travel insurance. It is common for travel assistance services to work with insurance companies that cover the risk, ensuring financial security. However, travel assistance offers immediate solutions, not only helping clients from the moment they have a problem but also paying for the assistance costs. This is why travel assistance offers a better and more complete service than travel insurance.
Travel assistance providers also operate 24-hour alarm centers and offer additional services such as help with lost documents, general travel information, assistance with locating lost luggage, and support for missed or canceled flights. These services are designed to support travelers through any unforeseen events, regardless of whether there is a cost involved.
Pax Assistance is the only travel assistance provider offering 24-hour support via WhatsApp and also the only one that offers emotional support to the traveler and their family in complex situations such as hospitalization or accidents. Pax Assistance offers highly comprehensive plans, with medical coverage ranging from $10,000 to $1,000,000.
In conclusion, while both options provide coverage, travel assistance is much more than a travel insurance, as it is more complete and offers immediate attention, no matter the time or place where the traveler needs it
Are you an international traveler and haven't yet purchased your travel assistance? Click here and find the best Pax plan.
