It’s a question we get all the time in varying forms: Is travel insurance really necessary? Kailangan ba talaga ng travel insurance?
And our resounding answer is always the same: YES!
It’s easy to dismiss insurance. When planning a trip, we only picture ourselves having a blast, with everything running smoothly. We don’t really (want to) think about accidents, illnesses or untoward events. Most of the time, we don’t feel it because you don’t need to use it. But that’s exactly the point. Travel insurance is that one thing you wish you won’t have to use, but when something unfortunate happens, you’d be thanking the heavens that you have it. Because, guess what, when traveling, things don’t always go as planned.
Bad things can happen when traveling. We know travelers who met a severe accident in Taiwan, who lost their baggage in Europe, and who were terribly inconvenienced by flight delays. We don’t even need to look far. One of our close friends was rushed to the hospital after his appendix suddenly burst with no warning in Thailand. And we, ourselves, have been robbed while on the road.
So yes, without question, we always recommend getting a travel insurance. But how do you find one that is easy to get and easy on the pocket?
Thankfully, getting a budget-friendly insurance is now more convenient than ever before. PGA Sompo, a joint venture of the two of the most trusted insurance companies in the Philippines and Japan, brings you TravelJOY Plus. And it’s collaborating with The Poor Traveler to make travel insurance more affordable and more accessible to the readers of this blog.
By visiting the PGA Sompo page and using the code WORTHIT, you can get a 5% discount on your TravelJOY Plus insurance.
Whether you’re traveling in or out of Asia or you’re applying for a Schengen visa, you can use this code to score a discount on TravelJOY Plus products.
If you need more help, here’s our step-by-step process on how you could easily purchase an affordable policy online.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
1. Visit the TravelJOY Plus website.
You can find it right here.
You’ll be greeted by a short form asking for the following information:
- Trip type (single or annual multi-trip): If you need a policy for just one trip, choose SINGLE. (If you’re traveling a lot, consider the ANNUAL MULTI-TRIP option, which covers the trips you make for the entire year.)
- Package: Choose INDIVIDUAL.
- Destinations: Enter ALL the countries or territories that you intend to visit. The system will choose the appropriate plan for you, depending on the countries you select. For example, if you enter a country within the Schengen Zone, the system will automatically detect that you need a plan that meets the Schengen visa requirement and is accredited in that country.
- Depart Date: the date you’re leaving your usual residence for the trip.
- Return Date: the date you’ll arrive at your usual residence after the trip.
- Number of Travelers: You can choose up to five. If you’re a bigger group, you may book another batch.
- Promo/Product Code: Enter WORTHIT to score a 5% discount.
Once the form is filled out, click GET QUOTE.
2. Pick the plan that suits your budget and requirements.
On the next page, you’ll be presented with your options. In most cases, you’ll have three options: BUDGET, STANDARD, and SUPREME. Check out the corresponding benefits in the column under each plan.
Note that the system automatically filters out the plans that don’t apply to the countries you entered in the previous page. For example, if you enter any Schengen country — say, France or Italy — it will show you only one plan, SUPREME, because it’s the one that is acceptable to the Schengen embassies. It’s pretty smart and savvy!
Note: The price varies depending on the destination countries and the duration of your trip.
Once you’ve made up your mind, click in SELECT (if the plan you choose isn’t highlighted yet) or BUY NOW.
3. Enter your personal information.
The next page will show you a form. Input your personal details correctly.
You’ll find two (3) main sections here: the Applicant, the Insured Person(s), and the Beneficiary.
Under the Applicant Details part, type in your information. If you’re a group, only one needs to fill it out. Below it are the fields for the insured persons, which can be up to 5 heads. If you, the applicant, is part of the party to be insured, you may just tick the “Copy Applicant details to Insured Persons” button to automatically duplicate your answers and avoid typing them all over again.
Here are some of the details needed:
- full name
- birth date
- contact number
- email address
- nationality
- ID type and number
Towards the bottom, you’ll find a short form about your beneficiary. Enter their details. This is optional, though. If you leave it blank, it will automatically consider “Succession of Law”.
Agree to the Terms and Conditions as well as the Privacy Policy, and click CONTINUE.
4. Pay for your policy.
You will be redirected to the PesoPay Payment Service. Don’t freak out if the look and feel of the page changes. PesoPay which is the official payment partner of PGA Sompo.
It will list down the available payment options, which are:
- GCash
- GrabPay
- Visa or MasterCard credit card or debit card
- BDO (over the counter)
- RCBC (over the counter)
- Bayad Center
- EC Pay
Click on the logo of your chosen payment method.
If via card, you’ll be required to enter your credit card or debit card details.
If via GCash, you’ll be required to log in to your GCash account.
Once payment is complete, the screen will display a Transaction Result. Save or take a screenshot of it before moving on.
Then click CONTINUE. It will take you back to the PGA SOMPO website with a summary of your purchase.
5. Save your Confirmation of Cover.
Check your email, where you’ll receive a copy of the Confirmation of Cover (COC).
It looks like this:
Keep a copy of it or print it out as needed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is travel insurance required when traveling abroad?
That depends on your destination country or territory. Some countries do require a travel insurance in their visa application process. The best example of that is the Schengen visa, used to enter these 27 European states:
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Some countries and territories may also require travel insurance upon entry, so best to double check with the respective embassy to be sure.
For many others, insurance is not required. But even so, we urge you to get one and be protected. Just because it’s not required in your destination doesn’t mean you should dismiss it. Bad things can happen when traveling, and you’ll never know when you’d actually need it. Best to be prepared. With travel insurance, you can enjoy your trips worry-free!
What is PGA Sompo TravelJOY Plus? What are its benefits?
TravelJOY Plus is the travel insurance offered by PGA Sompo, a joint venture of Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, the top non-life insurance company in the Philippines, and Sompo Holdings, a leading non-life insurance company in Japan. Both are known for providing high-quality service.
Together, they put together TravelJoy, which can give travelers like you relief and compensation for untoward incidents like personal accidents, medical emergencies, flight or baggage delays, trip cancellation, evacuation, loss of money, and more! COVID-19 coverage is also included!
How much is TravelJOY Plus?
One great thing about TravelJOY Plus is its competitive pricing. It is one of the most value-for-money travel insurance products out there. Not only that, aside from its Standard and Supreme plans, it also has a BUDGET OPTION, perfect for shoestring travelers.
You can avail of a plan for as low as PHP 469 for Asia or PHP 475 for Japan, Middle East, and many other countries (for 1-4 days). The Schengen-accredited Supreme plan costs PHP 717 (1-4 days), and this also applies not just to the countries within the Schengen Zone but also the UK, Ireland, Turkey, and European Russia.
Here’s the full price list. But just in case there are cost movements in the future, best to visit this page to get a more updated quote.
Please take note of the following:
- ASIA – excluding Japan, the Philippines, and the Middle Eastern Countries.
- WORLDWIDE – including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East (excluding the Philippines)
- SCHENGEN – Schengen countries + UK, Ireland, Turkey, European Russia (St. Petersburg and Moscow), and the Euro Zone countries.
No need to worry much about it. If you visit PGA Sompo’s booking page, the system will automatically offer you the right plan based on the countries you enter.
Is there a GROUP or FAMILY option?
There used to be a FAMILY option, but it’s currently unavailable. In the meantime, you may choose INDIVIDUAL and select the number of pax that applies to you.
Why choose TravelJOY Plus?
Aside from its competitive prices, PGA Sompo is part of the Sompo Group which is present in over 30 countries around the world. These Sompo offices worldwide can provide necessary assistance and support should the time come that you need it.
How to contact PGA Sompo in case something happens?
The TravelJOY Plus Hotline is +632 8866 7388. It’s open 24/7.
Disclosure: This article is made possible through collaboration with PGA Sompo.
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