Top 5 Questions and Real Answers About Overseas Travel Insurance, Analyzed by a Travel YouTuber

As a family travel YouTuber (@traveljoong), I've explored the answers to five of the most frequently asked questions travelers have. From coverage and benefits to duplication of coverage and the best value travel insurance, I'll answer all your questions about travel insurance.

1. Is it necessary to purchase travel insurance?

1) Overseas medical expenses

In expensive regions like the US, Europe, and Australia, medical expenses can be very high, not only for major accidents but also for minor illnesses.

Overseas medical coverage is the biggest benefit of travel insurance.

  • What I experienced in Vietnam

If surgery is needed urgently, the bill can range from millions to tens of millions of won.

I am from Hanoi, Vietnam My son's fever went up to 40 degrees, so I went to the pharmacy.Even though I found it, I still had to pay a lot of money for treatment and medication.

2) Flight delays or cancellations

If your flight is delayed or canceled Unexpected additional costs such as accommodation, food, and transportation that were previously reserved may arise.do.

However, in such cases, travel insurance can be a great help in saving money as it provides coverage.

3) Lost or damaged luggage

While traveling If your luggage is lost or damaged, significant damage can occur.However, if you have travel insurance, you will be covered by the insurance.

4) Dangerous sports & activities

When you enjoy dangerous activities overseas, such as sports, activities, scuba diving, or paragliding, local insurance often does not apply.

Additionally, since basic insurance often does not cover the issue, you may need to sign up for a separate rider.

5) Proof of insurance when issuing a visa

Upon entry Countries that require proof of travel insuranceThere are quite a few (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Thailand, Israel, New Zealand, Colombia, etc.).

Proof of insurance is required, and it is also a safety measure to reduce the financial burden and stress that may suddenly arise during travel in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or unexpected situations.

👉 Check your travel insurance coveragedo : https://www.trip.com/t/QL015Rs1uR2

2. If I sign up for multiple insurance policies at the same time, will the compensation be duplicated?

In general, travel insurance and Items that overlap with other insurance (actual loss insurance) will not be compensated for twice., insurance payments do not compensate for the same damage twice.

Content related to duplication

  • The principle is not to provide duplicate compensation for the same damage.
  • Both travel insurance and actual cost health insurance cover medical expenses, but It is not possible to receive excess amount by adding up the actual medical expenses incurred.
  • Fixed compensation type: Death benefits, diagnosis benefits for specific diseasesis covered by several insurances Multiple receipt of a set amount is possible
  • Actual loss compensation type: Medical expenses, treatment expenses, etc. are divided and compensated according to the actual amount spent, and duplicate claims are not allowed.
  • It is illegal to charge the same cost twice for the same incident.

3. What are the top 3 travel insurance recommendations for 2025?

So, let's take a look at the three travel insurance policies that travelers will most likely choose in 2025 and that also ranked highly in expert reviews.

1. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Overseas Travel Insurance

  • characteristic : No. 1 in domestic subscribers, comprehensive coverage including baggage and flight delays
    • 2030 Youth Leap Discount 22% (cannot be combined with other discounts)
    • Companion registration and re-registration discount (10% for 2 or more people / 5% for second re-registration)
  • merit Sign up in just 3 minutes on your mobile phone, have numerous hospital partnerships worldwide, and use the easy-to-use billing app.
  • disadvantage : While the benefits and coverage are generous, the premiums are slightly higher on average.
  • Standard plan 7 days (intermediate) : 14,370 won
  • 📌Don't choose based solely on price Check and select the coverage that suits youdo!

👉 Check out the benefits of Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance's overseas travel insurance.

2. Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Direct Travel Insurance

  • characteristic : Includes coverage for infectious diseases/flight delays/damage to personal belongings
  • merit : Infectious disease/coronavirus special contract included, basic app billing and real-time consultation available
  • disadvantage : The initial sign-up process and insurance premium verification felt somewhat complicated (can be checked after installing the download program)
  • Standard 7 days (medium) : 14,400 won
  • 📌Don't choose based solely on price Check and select the coverage that suits youdo!

👉 Check out Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance's Direct Travel Insurance benefits.

3. DB Insurance Direct Overseas Travel Insurance

  • characteristic : Fast and economical fares with flight delay and baggage compensation
  • merit : Guaranteed accommodations in case of flight delays, popular among young people
  • disadvantage : Overseas emergency assistance call speed is somewhat slow.
  • Standard 7 days (medium) : 11,280 won
  • 📌Don't choose based solely on price Check and select the coverage that suits youdo!

👉 Check out the benefits of DB Insurance Direct Overseas Travel Insurance.

Compare insurance at a glance

insurance companystrengthmid-rateRecommended for
Samsung Fire & Marine InsuranceComprehensive coverage, global hospital networkAbout 14,370 wonLong-term/family travelers
Hyundai Marine & Fire InsuranceIncluding infectious diseases/flight delaysAbout 14,400 wonBalanced, middle-aged
DB InsuranceFast rewards, cheapAbout 11,280 wonShort-term/Young people
📌Please note that this amount is calculated based on a middle-aged man in his 40s.

As of 2025, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance focuses on overall reliability and coverage, while Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance focuses on infectious disease-focused safety., DB Insurance is evaluated as a product with high cost-effectiveness.I am receiving it.

4. Can I still sign up after leaving the country?

My family, who travels abroad frequently, was shocked when we left the country without actual travel insurance. I tried it when I got to my destination, but it ended up failing.I did it.

actually Signing up after leaving the country is almost impossible or limited.Most travel insurance policies require you to sign up before departure, and if you sign up immediately after departure, coverage is often limited or not applicable.

📌Practical Tips

  • Before leaving on a trip, Compare at least one or two insurance optionsCheck the coverage, limits, and claim procedures in detail.

  • At the travel destination Whether proof of insurance is required by visa requirements or entry regulationsCheck in advance

  • If you are about to leave the country, Be sure to check as you may not be able to sign up for insurance.And if possible, you should check and decide what guarantees are included.

5. Are accidents during sports or dangerous activities covered?

Most standard travel insurance policies do not cover accidents involving hazardous activities, and most standard policies do not cover activities such as skiing, scuba diving, bungee jumping, mountaineering, etc. Excluding high-risk sports accidents from the listThere are many.

However, depending on the insurance company or Included in coverage through special contracts or separate subscription options for each productYou can do this. For example, leisure sports specials or risky sports If you sign up for a separate special contract, you can receive insurance money immediately in the event of an accident.do.

💡caution

  • Sports Safety Foundation's Overseas Sports Traveler InsuranceYou can sign up for special operating terms and conditions for high-risk sports (ice climbing, skiing, scuba diving, etc.), and if you pay a separate fee (approximately 30,000 won) to sign up, you can be covered in case of an accident during such activities.
  • The scope of coverage for each activity varies from product to product. Leisure/activity must be specified in a separate special contract or insurance policy to be covered. Can receive
  • Participating in high-risk sports activities without insurance is very risky.(Please keep in mind that it may be difficult to pay out insurance money in the event of an accident.)

👉 Check out the Sports Safety Foundation's Traveler's Benefits

In closing

We've looked at the top five most frequently asked questions about overseas travel insurance, along with their answers. While I've never researched insurance this thoroughly while traveling, this experience has given me a deeper understanding of travel insurance.

From now on, I'll be smart and careful about choosing the right coverage and compensation for me. Thank you. I'll be back next time with more helpful information for travelers!

🔻Good articles to read together🔻

Tistory's Year-End Report: 34 Questions for 2024, Blogging & Life

쫄보들의-세계여행기

I found it while looking for writing material Tistory's '34 Questions'’ We're releasing the list. My 2024Looking back ‘'If you were to compliment me this year?'’ Let me answer the question. You too 34 questionsThrough Writing for myselfStart with Year-end settlementTry it!

If you were to compliment me this year?

 

There were a variety of topics, but perhaps it's because I'm so strongly feeling that this year has been one where I've had nothing to grasp, nothing to see, and nothing to accomplish? The topic that caught my eye the most was, "How would you compliment yourself this year?".

To better compliment myself, I would first look back and ask myself, 'What did I do this year?'.

January-February

 

I am The job of a PD who produces programsI lived like that. I think I worked in everything from educational programs to variety shows and audition programs. That was until the company took a huge hit.

When the company took a hit and I left, I worked part-time until early this year, making documentaries. Normally, I'd only take on one, but I was busy taking on two at once. Meeting so many new people, interviewing them, and traveling all over the place, I felt like I hadn't felt this happy in a long time.

I ended up earning quite a bit of money that I had been spending for a while.

March-April

 

I've been talking about this trip with my family for years, so I've started clearing out everything in my house to prepare for it. Why are there so many things in every nook and cranny of the house?, There were many things to throw away and many things to sell.

Until the beginning of this year, my feelings hadn't changed much, but as I started organizing my belongings one by one, I began to feel like I was finally leaving, and at times, I felt anxious and worried. However, even greater than those feelings was excitement.

It was a time to bond more closely with my family, and I was also able to talk more with my wife about things I hadn't been able to talk about before.

세계여행을-위해-집정리중인-우리집
My house being packed (it's not my house anymore)

May-December

 

We departed from Incheon International Airport on May 9th. Over the course of seven months until December, I traveled to a total of six countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hawaii, San Francisco, Seattle, etc.) and visited 18 cities.Did.

During those seven months, I fought a lot, almost had to return home after a long hiatus, lost my bag containing my camera gear, got locked out of my room with my keys, and even nearly fainted from a palm-sized cockroach.

But, despite all that, I'm back in Korea now. It's for my son, who chose to take the GED exam for his travels. I knew studying while traveling wouldn't be easy, but seeing it from up close, I realized it was much harder than I expected.

It's not easy to graduate in just 10 months from a degree that other friends study for three years. We've sold our house and are currently living with my mother-in-law, but we plan to move abroad again once my son finishes his exams.

A market open only on weekends in front of Waikiki Beach, Hawaii is a place where every day is a festival.

So what are you going to praise?

 

My family is a bunch of cowards.

  • Coward 1 (Dad)
    • I have a fear of English, so I'm extremely reluctant to talk to blonde-haired foreigners. This is a fatal flaw when traveling the world.

  • Coward 2 (Mom)
    • I have a fear of insects and heights. I nearly fainted after seeing a palm-sized cockroach in my Malaysian hotel, and I've nearly fainted several times while climbing the 272 steps of the Batu Caves.

  • Coward 3 (son)
    • They are so scared of flies and even the smallest bugs that they can't touch them. They are sensitive to sound, and even the slightest loud noise can cause them to panic or become frightened. They also spit out food if it doesn't suit their taste.

On a world tour where you never know what's going to happen, the fears of the cowards grow. Despite this, they traveled for seven months without any major issues and remained healthy. I believe this was largely due to Coward 1's role in keeping them safe and sound. Kudos!

▶ Want to see the world travel of the cowards in video?

https://traveljoong.com/5must-visit-places-in-seattle/

Essential information for traveling by train in Vietnam with your family, as shared by a father in his 40s.

베트남-하노이행-기차여행

Planning a train trip from Nha Trang, Vietnam, to Hanoi? We'll share with you various information, including how to book tickets online, board the train, and the condition of the four-person sleeper car.

Traveling by train from Nha Trang to Hanoi

 

Train tickets from Nha Trang, a popular tourist destination for Koreans, to Hanoi in the north are available for reservation.

There are several sites where you can make reservations, the first of which is operated by a Singaporean company. 12GOSecondly, there is one that is directly operated in Vietnam. Railway reservation siteThere is.

👉 Book train tickets with KlookIt is most convenient to dodo.

📅 Nha Trang Hanoi Train Schedule and Prices

 

In my case, I booked my ticket through a website called 12GO, but later discovered it was operated by a Singaporean company. I had no problems booking my train ticket. We recommend booking directly on the Vietnam Railways reservation website.Do it.

When you reserve a ticket, you will receive a confirmation QR code and a PDF file containing information about the train you will be boarding via email. I will just go over a few things you must check on the ticket.

  • Confirm destination

Make sure to check if the route is Nha Trang ➡ Hanoi

  • Check train number

The "SE12" written behind "Train" is the train number. When you arrive at the train station and find it difficult to find any information about the train, knowing SE12, the arrival number, is essential.

  • Check train arrival time

You should check the arrival time of the train you need to board at the station, and you can check the car and seat number, so it is a good idea to be sure to familiarize yourself with the car, seat, and time.

(In my case, I often don't check my boarding pass until I get off the plane, but I always take a screenshot to confirm my seat!)

베트남-기차여행-기차표-QR코드

How to board the train at Nha Trang Station

 

This is the Nha Trang train station where I boarded. Since my train was scheduled for 4:26 AM, I took a Grab and arrived at the station around 4 AM.

The outside was brightly lit with flashy lights, but the inside felt like a small neighborhood bus stop I remember visiting when I was young.

베트남-나트랑-기차역-외경

Vietnam trains have recently introduced two-person VIP sleeper cabins, and the price of these cabins can be comparable to, or even more expensive than, a flight from Nha Trang to Hanoi.

Also, because there aren't enough seats, they tend to sell out quickly. The next level up is the four-person VIP sleeper car, and this is the train I rode.

나트랑-침대칸-VIP기차여행-4인실

Vietnam train travel 4-person sleeper compartment condition

 

It is hot during the day and cold at night or in the early morning. The cleanliness of the restrooms is absolutely not something you can expect, so if you think, "I can't do it without a clean environment or accommodation," choose a flight if possible.It is good to do so.

In particular, the distance from Nha Trang to Hanoi is 1,300 km, which is about three times the distance from Seoul to Busan, so it is a distance that can be reached in less than two hours by plane, but it takes a full day and five hours by train.

The Vietnam train journey takes about 30 hours, and frankly, it is difficult.

베트남-하노이-여행-기차칸-세면대-상태
The condition of the washbasin inside the train that I used morning and evening

The train I rode was SE12, and there was no dining car inside the train, only 4-person and 6-person cars, and no seats in the train car.

Sometimes, at large train stations, I pass another train, and judging by the dining car, it seems that some trains have different dining cars.

베트남-하노이-기차칸-복도통로

When arriving at a large station among the stations that stop at lunchtime, there are cases where the train stops for a long time, such as 10 minutes, as announced. During this time, you can get off the train for a short while and buy a light snack at a store near the station.

So, you must be very curious about how you manage to eat during those 30 hours.

Some people may remember selling steamed eggs or cider by walking between the seats on the Tongil-ho or Mugunghwa-ho trains when they were young. This is similar to the scene.

They also sell simple drinks, small banh mi, and small lunch boxes that look like mi goreng while pushing a cart, so you don't have to worry because you can buy them at a cheap price (most drinks are 20,000 VND, and lunch boxes are 40,000 VND).

The taste is not bad considering the price.It was.

Should I take the Nha Trang ⮕ Hanoi train trip?

 

If you choose a VIP sleeper car because you have to take a long train ride, the price is definitely not cheaper than that of an airplane.

Also, deciding to travel for over 30 hours and face a not-so-clean and pleasant restroom when you can get there in less than 2 hours by plane is not an easy decision.

However, you can enjoy the real beauty of Vietnam outside the window at any time, as much as you want. If you want to experience a truly offline trip where even 3G doesn't work well in many places, we welcome you with open arms.And I recommend it.

After experiencing these unforgettable 30 hours, I, too, found myself overwhelmed with gratitude for the easy access to Wi-Fi and readily available food and drinks. Isn't this what travel is all about? I wonder.

베트남-하노이-기차칸에서-보는-베트남-풍경
The Vietnam outside the window that I looked at for 30 hours was beautiful.

🔎 A better article when read together