UAE residents are being urged to buy dedicated travel insurance before their next trip, rather than relying on coverage that comes as a perk with their credit card.

According to yallacompare, the Middle East’s leading comparison site, card-based coverage is often more restrictive than a dedicated travel insurance policy and customers can be left unprotected and unable to claim when they encounter problems.
 
“It is absolutely vital that travellers know what is, and isn’t, covered by their credit card before they travel,” said Jonathan Rawling, CFO, yallacompare. “Missed flights, lost travel documents and certain medical conditions may not be covered by credit card insurance. UAE travellers may find it is worth their while to buy a dedicated travel insurance policy that covers every eventuality.”
 
Rawling says that customers will often have to buy flights on the same card providing the travel coverage, restricting their choice of payment method. Card-based coverage may not provide compensation for flights and even bags delayed by more than 10 hours.
 
It is not unusual to fall ill while overseas and travellers often discover that certain conditions, particularly dental problems, are not covered by their cards. The travel expenses of family members forced to change or cancel flights and holidays may not be reimbursed.
 
With a dedicated travel insurance policy, travellers can expect more comprehensive coverage and they can customise their solution to meet their needs. “I would expect a good travel insurance solution to cover loss of travel documents and personal valuables, a broad range of medical conditions and lengthy delays at the airport,” said Rawling.
 
“It really is worth taking the time to consider standalone travel insurance. It can be stressful enough to fall ill or encounter problems when away from your home, without having to worry about potential financial losses.”
 
The need to ensure adequate coverage becomes even more pressing as the UAE enters the cooler winter months. Both short and long-haul travel peaks during the period, particularly during school holidays in December and January. Around 7.9 million passengers travelled through Dubai International Airport in December 2017 and that figure could easily cross eight million this December.
 
With yallacompare’s unique online tools, customers can compare a range of travel policies and choose the right solution for their needs. Both single trip and annual solutions are available, the latter offering coverage of all trips taken within the year.
 
“The good news is that there are excellent travel insurance solutions available and choosing the right policy for your needs is straightforward with yallcompare’s online comparison tools,” said Rawling. “By taking a little time and with a fairly modest investment, UAE residents can travel with complete peace of mind.” - TradeArabia News Service