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What is travel insurance and what does GIG Gulf's plan cover?
Travel insurance is a policy that protects you financially against unexpected costs while you're travelling like medical emergencies, delays, lost belongings, and more.
GIG Gulf's Travel Smart plan covers:
- Emergency medical expenses, dental care, and medical transportation
- Repatriation (being transported home for medical reasons) of you or travelling companions
- Cancellation or curtailment (cutting your trip short) of your trip, up to USD 5,000 (subject to policy)
- Delayed departure and delayed baggage
- Loss of personal baggage, money, or passport
- Personal accident and personal liability cover
Cover, limits, and optional extensions vary by plan and destination. Refer to policy handbook for full terms.
Get a quote for your upcoming travel or Check our Travel Smart plan
What is not covered under your travel insurance plan?
Some of the most important exclusions to know:
- Pre-existing medical conditions and pregnancy-related medical expenses
- Adventure sports (winter sports, water sports, scuba diving, trekking, safari) and other high-risk activities, unless you've purchased the Adventure Sports extension (subject to policy)
- War, civil unrest, and acts of terrorism, unless you've purchased the Terrorism Extension (subject to policy)
- Self-inflicted injury, drug or alcohol-related incidents, and unlawful actions on your part
- Claims not reported to GIG Gulf within the required timeframe (subject to policy)
This is a summary, not the complete list — refer to your policy handbook for the full set of exclusions.
What's the difference between Travel Smart and Travel Smart Essentials?
Travel Smart Essentials is a lower-cost version of Travel Smart, with reduced limits and fewer benefits.
Key differences:
- Emergency medical expenses: USD 1,000,000 on Travel Smart vs USD 100,000 on Essentials (subject to policy)
- Emergency dental care: USD 1,000 on Travel Smart vs USD 500 on Essentials (subject to policy)
- Repatriation of Other Insured Persons (covering the cost of bringing your travel companions home if you're repatriated): included on Travel Smart, not available on Essentials
- Premature Return due to death of a Close Relative: included on Travel Smart, not available on Essentials
Both plans share the same core structure i.e emergency medical, dental, transportation, baggage, and passport cover just at different limits. Check your policy document to confirm which plan and limits apply to you.
Should I choose a single-trip or annual multi-trip policy?
It depends on how often you travel.
- A single-trip policy covers one departure and return journey, so it suits an occasional traveller taking one holiday.
- An annual multi-trip policy covers unlimited trips over a year, which works out better value if you travel more than two or three times annually.
A few things to know either way:
- Under annual multi-trip cover, each individual trip is limited to 62 consecutive days (subject to policy)
- Travel Smart is available to travellers aged 70 or under; if you turn 71 during your annual policy period, cover continues until your next renewal date but not beyond
- Each trip must begin and end in your country of residence, a trip taken entirely within your home country isn't covered
How much does travel insurance cost, and what affects the price?
Your premium depends on several factors:
- Trip duration and destination (Worldwide, Worldwide excluding USA & Canada, or Schengen)
- Plan tier you choose. For eg with GIG Gulf insurance we have Travel Smart or Travel Smart Essentials
- Single-trip or annual multi-trip cover
- Number of travellers, including children (who pay 50% of the adult premium)
- Optional extensions you add, such as Adventure Sports or Terrorism Extension
If you travel frequently, switching to an annual multi-trip policy gets you a 20% discount compared to booking single trips separately (subject to policy).
Can children be added to my policy, and how much do they cost?
Yes, children can be added to your GIG Gulf travel policy. A "child" is defined as a dependent aged between 3 months and 16 years who isn't in full-time employment.
Children are covered at 50% off the premium, but their cover is also capped at half the standard benefit limits across every section of the policy like medical expenses, baggage, passport, and so on (subject to policy), except on Travel Schengen, where children get the full limit.
One exception to know: for Personal Baggage and Personal Money cover, children under 12 aren't covered for loss of Personal Money at all, even though other benefits still apply at the reduced rate.
Can I get cover if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
No, a pre-existing medical condition (any illness or condition you already had before your trip) is excluded from your medical-related cover, unless GIG Gulf has given you prior written agreement.
This affects several sections of your policy specifically: Emergency Medical Expenses, Emergency Dental Care, Medical Transportation, Repatriation, Premature Return, Visit of a Close Relative, First Aid/Rescue, Cancellation or Curtailment, and Personal Accident.
Related situations are also excluded, such as travelling against medical advice, being on a waiting list for hospital treatment, or travelling with the intention of getting medical treatment abroad.
If you're not sure whether a condition counts as pre-existing, it's worth confirming with GIG Gulf before you travel.
Does travel insurance cover pregnancy-related medical expenses?
No, pregnancy-related illness or medical conditions are excluded from GIG Gulf's travel insurance. This applies across your medical cover (emergency medical expenses, dental, transportation, repatriation) as well as personal accident benefits.
Your policy also won't cover you if you, or anyone your trip depends on, are expected to give birth before, during, or within two months of your trip.
The rest of your policy; baggage, passport, delays, and so on; is unaffected and covered as normal, subject to your policy terms.
When should I buy travel insurance before my trip?
As soon as possible after you book your trip. Your Cancellation or Curtailment cover only protects costs from the point you hold a valid policy, so buying early means you're covered if something forces you to cancel before you even leave.
If your plans change, you can also review your policy and cancel for a refund within 7 days of issuance, provided your trip hasn't started and you haven't made a claim (subject to policy); so there's little downside to buying early.
Can I buy travel insurance after I've already departed?
No. Your policy's cover period begins when you leave home to start your trip, so a policy needs to be in place before you depart for it to provide valid cover from day one. Travel insurance should be purchased in advance before you leave.
Note: Some countries require proof of travel insurance as part of their visa application, with specific coverage requirements. For example, Schengen countries require a minimum of EUR 30,000 in medical cover as part of the documentation submitted for visa application.
Can I cancel my policy and get a refund?
Yes, within limits. For single-trip Travel Smart policies, you can cancel within 7 days of the issuance date, provided your trip hasn't started and no claim has been made. You'll get a refund of your premium minus a OMR 5 administration fee (subject to policy).
Annual Travel and Travel Schengen policies can also be cancelled, with any refund calculated against GIG Gulf's refund table (subject to policy); worth confirming the exact figures with GIG before cancelling.
One thing to know either way: a rejected visa application isn't accepted as a reason for cancellation or refund, since the policy doesn't guarantee visa approval.
GIG Gulf can also cancel your policy by giving you 7 days' written notice, in which case you'd get a proportional refund for the unused period.
Can I extend my policy if my trip runs longer than planned?
No, not by request. GIG Gulf doesn't offer general policy extensions. If you know your trip might run long, it's best to buy a policy that covers the full planned duration from the start.
One exception: if your return home is delayed by a covered event, such as a flight delay from a strike or adverse weather, your cover automatically extends for the length of that delay.
What should I do in case of a medical emergency abroad?
Call GIG's 24/7 Alarm Centre on +971 4 429 4003 as soon as possible; this is the number for emergency medical treatment, transportation, or repatriation, and you'll need prior approval from this line for those benefits to apply.
When you call, be ready to provide:
- Your name and policy number
- The date you entered the country you're in
- The name, address, and phone number of the medical centre treating you
- A brief description of what happened
GIG may arrange direct payment to the hospital, or you may need to pay and claim reimbursement afterward, depending on your policy. Keep copies of all medical reports, bills, and receipts to support your claim.
Is travel insurance mandatory for my destination?
Travel insurance requirements vary depending on where you are travelling. Some destinations require proof of travel insurance as part of the visa application, most notably the Schengen Area, where it's a firm requirement, not just a recommendation.
For Schengen visas, Oman's Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires a minimum of EUR 30,000 in medical and travel insurance cover, including repatriation, for the full duration and area of your stay. GIG Gulf's Travel Schengen plan provides EUR 40,000 in emergency medical cover (subject to policy) — above the minimum required.
Even where it is not mandatory, travel insurance can help protect you from unexpected medical expenses, travel disruptions, and other unforeseen events during your trip.
Does GIG Travel insurance cover flight cancellations and delays?
Yes, for delays; but not for cancellations by the airline itself.
If your flight is delayed 6 or more hours due to strikes, adverse weather, or mechanical or technical faults, Delayed Departure cover pays up to USD 500 (subject to policy).
If you need to cancel or cut your trip short, Cancellation or Curtailment cover pays up to USD 5,000 (subject to policy); but only for specific listed reasons: death, injury, or illness of you or a close relative, damage to your home, or hijacking.
A flight simply being cancelled by the airline isn't one of those covered reasons, so it's worth checking your policy handbook for the full list before assuming a cancellation is covered.
Does GIG Travel insurance cover lost baggage?
Yes. Personal Baggage and Personal Money cover pays up to USD 5,000 on Travel Smart, or USD 1,000 on Travel Smart Essentials (subject to policy), for baggage that's lost, stolen, or damaged; within that, Valuables are capped at USD 1,500 and Personal Money at USD 400 (subject to policy).
An excess (the amount you pay first on a claim) of USD 30 applies per claim.
If your baggage is delayed rather than lost, Delayed Baggage cover pays up to USD 250 (subject to policy) if it's not returned to you within 4 hours.
If your baggage is affected, get the necessary reports and documentation from the airline or relevant authority to support your claim.
How do I make a GIG travel insurance claim?
It depends on the type of claim.
- For emergencies requiring immediate assistance; medical treatment, medical transportation, or repatriation; call GIG's 24/7 Alarm Centre on +971 4 429 4003 before proceeding, so we can approve the case and guide you through next steps.
For everything else; cancellation or curtailment, delayed departure, delayed baggage, personal baggage or money, or loss of passport; contact GIG Gulf directly:
- Call 800 72 926 or +971 450 74000
- Or email travel.claims@gig-gulf.com
Either way, gather the relevant supporting documents for your claim: medical reports, receipts, airline confirmations, or police reports where applicable, to help ensure a smooth review.
How do I get proof of travel insurance for my visa application?
Once you purchase GIG Travel Insurance, you can access your policy documents and insurance certificate sent to you via your registered email.
If your destination requires proof of travel insurance for a visa application, you can use the policy document as proof of coverage. Always check the specific insurance requirements of the country you are visiting before submitting your application.
Does GIG Travel Insurance cover damage caused by war?
No. Like most standard insurance policies, GIG Gulf's travel insurance contains a war exclusion clause; losses caused directly or indirectly by war, invasion, civil war, rebellion, or civil commotion aren't covered.
If you're travelling outside Oman, check the exclusions in your Travel Smart policy handbook. If you're travelling to Oman, check the Travel Inbound leaflet.
Travel documents
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