Buying travel insurance can be confusing – like understanding trip-protection add-ons and how they compare with travel insurance that helps pay for unexpected medical costs. What about existing health insurance coverage travel features or credit card coverage? What insurance do you really need to buy to avoid costly medical bills or unexpected or unused travel expenditures?
Going online for answers and options is where most people start. And getting advice is helpful – so let’s explore the distinct differences of the world of chatbots vs. help from an insurance broker when you are making your decisions.
Welcome to the world of chatbots
It’s estimated that 88% of us have interacted with a chatbot in the last year – computer software that simulates a conversation with us. Chatbots are personal assistants that communicate with us via instant messaging, websites, or mobile applications. They can use text, as well as images and even videos.
We almost always know when we are ‘talking’ to a chatbot/computer instead of a person. They are prompt and precise.
Chatbots greet you and then they ask information and answer common questions based on your replies, often used to direct you to the right queue or online information source. Their directions are based on their programmed responses for the specific tasks they were designed for as well as previous experience with others. They are great to interact with when you want to give feedback or check your order status. But when it comes to really figuring out the best kind of travel insurance coverage for your unique situation… a chatbot may find your query a little too complicated to answer – and that can be frustrating when you are looking for answers.
When it comes to selecting travel insurance, brokers bring a human touch
AI and chatbots may be great in a vacuum – but what about real life when your decisions are important and complicated? That’s where the value of an insurance broker shines.
Insurance brokers are human professionals who act as intermediaries between you and insurance companies. Brokers provide personalized advice, helping you choose suitable insurance coverage based on their truly expert guidance.
Looking for coverage customized to your needs? A broker can work with you to find a solution that fits your unique circumstances and preferences.
In the ever-evolving world of travel, one-size-fits-all doesn’t fit anymore
Travel isn’t quite like it used to be. Now you may prefer eco-tourism to ski trips, cultural and culinary journeys to golfing getaways and luxury vacations with adventure vs. visits to friends and family abroad. As your travel plans diversify, its more important than ever that your travel coverage is tailored to your specific needs.
SBIS is your broker with over 30 years of experience providing unique travel insurance solutions from some of Canada’s leading insurers including
Specialized options based on your medical history
While it’s true, travel insurance is harder to get for those with pre-existing conditions, and it’s more expensive than it is for other people, the additional premiums will seem like a drop in the bucket next to the cost of seeking treatment far from home, and the emotional toll of being ill while out of the country.
You can save yourself the difficulty, stress, and risk of financial strain by making sure you buy travel insurance for your next trip – pre-existing condition or not. SBIS offers policies that may meet your needs if you have health challenges, or your health has changed. You may be eligible for the following travel medical insurance plans with reduced stability period riders or an individual medical underwriting plan – we help you discover options that work for you.
Guidance on weather event-specific insurance solutions
If you are heading into a storm-prone area or one with other natural disaster risks, besides buying appropriate trip cancellation coverage, put down as small a deposit as possible on your credit card to hold down your trip reservation and consider maintaining travel flexibility. SBIS can help you choose the right trip cancellation/interruption insurance – which you should do within 72 hours of booking your trip. We will help you take better control of your vacation by fully understanding what your travel insurance can do, and what it can’t do if you face challenging conditions.
Coverage to cover unusual risks
If your travel preferences include adventure seeking, some activities could pose a problem if they lead to an illness or injury that requires treatment in a foreign land.
If you’ve made plans or may be tempted to try your hand at something risky, not all travel insurance will cover you if you get injured while engaging in high risk activities. If you want to be adventurous, there may be a policy that will meet your needs — and it may not be much more expensive. The cost for the insurance can be very similar -— it’s just that the policy exclusions are different.
A travel insurance broker like SBIS provides personal guidance
A chatbot is programmed to direct you to general information. If you need to review any special considerations for your travel destination of choice or if you have any questions about travel insurance fine print, SBIS can provide options and detailed explanations of what you can purchase, and what is, and isn’t covered while you travel.
We are committed to anticipating and mitigating potential risks you face – not just ones that have been programmed as basic options for you to consider. SBIS’ convenient 24/7 access offers detailed online information written in plain language so you can clearly understand your options. We work with several travel insurance providers, giving you a greater variety of plans to choose from. At SBIS, we explain what is covered under each plan and explain the cost of each plan and what your premium rate may be.
If you want to ask questions, SBIS representatives are friendly experts who take your call and help you figure out what kind of travel insurance plan would best suit your needs as well as all the other important details you should be aware about for your plan. We take the time to answer each of your questions so you can make a well-informed decision that you are comfortable with. We can help you through the application and purchase right over the phone, and we can even help after you’ve already purchased a plan to make any changes that need to be made. Call us Monday to Friday 8:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-800-667-0429 or 416-601-0429 – we are happy to chat.
