You are probably familiar with this scene: In the travel agency you will be asked whether you want “insurance” or if you book a flight the airline will try to get you travel insurance several times. One or the other provider also uses popups with texts that can be downright scary. But does the policy on offer even match your needs and does it even cover your needs?

The most important tip in advance: Do not immediately buy "the insurance" or what is sometimes obtrusively offered to you on the Internet. Compare not only prices, but also benefits, exclusions and amounts of coverage. You should take your time for this.

What is important to have good travel insurance?

That she pays when she is needed. It's that easy to answer. And that is exactly the reason why you should definitely compare the benefits, exclusions, deductibles and coverage amounts before taking out the contract. The differences are huge and travel insurance has to fit your needs exactly, otherwise you are throwing money out of the window, because if the worst comes to the worst, a certain risk may not be covered.

Where can I get advice?

You can use price comparisons on the Internet such as Durchblicker.at or you can go to an independent insurance broker who will find the best for you from the many providers or even calculate an individual insurance policy. A good travel agency does not offer you “the insurance”, but rather presents you with the offers and services of various insurers. You can also contact the insurance company directly by phone, email or in the offices to obtain offers and then compare them yourself.

What should you insure?

You should choose travel insurance that will take you home with an ambulance jet in the event of illness or an accident. Make sure that medical services in hospitals are billed directly, otherwise you have to pay in advance and this can quickly become very expensive in countries like the USA. A 24-hour emergency hotline can be helpful for you.

It also makes sense that you have travel liability insurance, because not every household insurance covers damage that you unintentionally cause abroad. But ask your insurance company whether you have not already insured the risk. So-called double insurance is unnecessary and expensive.

If you are traveling by plane, it can be helpful to receive benefits in the event of delays, missed connections or loss of your luggage. The airlines have to pay for many things, but they don't have to pay for everything. Travel insurance will keep you safe, but read the fine print as the terms vary widely. Some insurers already pay after an hour of delay, others only after six hours. Remember that you must have everything confirmed in writing by the airline, otherwise the insurance company will not voluntarily pay a cent.

If you rent a car or travel with your own car, legal protection insurance for drivers or insurance for the deductible can be useful. Here too: Compare the coverage benefits and read the fine print. For more information on rental cars, go to this link.

In the area of ​​cancellation and interruption of the trip, you have to be wide awake when you take out the insurance and read the conditions and coverage amounts very carefully. The offers and reasons for cancellation or termination differ so widely that you can only be advised that you should read carefully and compare. Otherwise you run the risk of the insurer being exempt from payment because you have not covered the risk at all. Travel insurances only pay if the reasons that are listed in the insurance conditions have arisen and are proven. If you just want to cancel like that, the insurance company will not pay anything.

Think about what is important to you personally. And exactly according to these criteria you choose the components of your travel insurance and please compare the services, prices and especially the small print. This is really very important, because you want to be optimally protected and not have any nasty surprises.

I have a credit card with insurance. Isn't that also true?

That is a question that is very difficult to answer. Ask your bank for the insurance conditions and study them carefully. Then decide whether the amounts insured and benefits meet your needs.

Caution trap: With many credit cards, the insurance is only valid if the trip was paid for with the card. Often only the cardholder himself is insured, but not fellow travelers. Be sure to clarify this with your bank.

I am a member of an automobile club. Is the insurance sufficient?

Clarify with your association which services are covered and whether these apply in your target country. You should then decide whether this is sufficient for you or whether you need additional protection.

Actually, I just wanted to insure my vacation trip, but I unwittingly took out an annual package. How can that be?

Unfortunately, you have fallen into a trap. Annual insurance, which applies to all trips for a year, usually only makes sense for frequent travelers. For a typical summer vacation or a city break, it is sufficient if you insure the exact travel period. Unfortunately, it happens again and again on booking portals, but also with some airlines, that you unknowingly take out some kind of insurance subscription. It is therefore important that you read carefully what you are buying and compare the prices. If you have been given a multi-year contract, you can definitely challenge it. To do this, contact a lawyer or a consumer advice center such as the Chamber of Labor or the consumer advice centers.