How To Handle Legal Issues When In A Foreign Country?
If the case registered against you abroad is beyond your control, then the best option is to contact the Indian Embassy and seek assistance. You must also have a travel insurance policy that can help with your finances even in legal matters.
You’d be surprised to learn the most unexpected things you could be penalized for when in a foreign country. For example: In Venice, few tourists were charged around €950 for snacking in a public historic place.
Even if you’re careful, there are chances of accidentally landing in legal troubles abroad. This could burn a huge hole in your pocket and disrupt your trip.
What kind of Damage is most likely to Happen Abroad?
Classic examples of things going wrong are if you’ve attended a party gone wild and got caught by the police because of damage to someone’s property. Or you accidentally get into a fight and injure yourself or the other person. In such cases, you will be required to pay for both people’s medical expenses, due to negligence on your part.
Another example could be when you’re staying at the hotel, and you start to feel yourself losing control. It’s all fun and games until you hear a crash! You’ve unintentionally damaged hotel property and now you find yourself in the spotlight.
So, how can you protect yourself in such situations?
Reaching out to the Indian Embassy for financial and legal assistance in lawful matters abroad should be your go-to approach. Along with that, your travel insurance assists you and helps save on unexpected expenses.
One amazing feature of your International Travel Insurance with Digit is an in-built cover for legal charges levied against you. Some travelers find themselves falling into trouble accidentally and don’t seem to have the funds to cover the damage caused. In such cases, your travel insurance comes to the rescue through a cover known as the Personal Liability and Bail Bond Cover.
If any intentional malicious acts caused on your part results in extensive damage to property or a person, then you are unfortunately required to pay the amount.
Insurance providers have different covers catering to their customers. Before purchasing a policy, it is important to thoroughly go through your policy schedule to understand what is and isn’t covered.
What do you mean by Personal Liability and Bail Bond?
Personal liability refers to property or bodily damages or injuries to a third-party, accidently, where you are held legally responsible. A Personal Liability cover provides protection against these third-party damages by paying a compensation to the damaged party.
Bail Bond is a document stating that a specific amount has been paid to allow a person, accused of a crime, to remain free until trial. It is a surety bond (money or property) offered or deposited by a defendant to be released from custody. These covers offer benefits that protects you from heavy debts in case of lawsuits.
Does Digit’s Travel Insurance also cover finances for Legal Issues?
Yes, we do! Through our Personal Liability and Bail Bond cover, you can protect your finances in case you accidentally fall in trouble with the law. Take a look at our coverages below.
Coverages and Exclusions in Digit’s cover: Personal Liability and Bail Bond
Inclusions
Any money that you legally must pay to any third party in your private capacity that relates to an accident occurring during your trip during the Policy Period due to negligence on your part which cause
• death or physical injury to any person
• loss or damage to property
• loss or damage to temporary holiday accommodation which is not owned by you.
- You are also covered for legal costs and expenses incurred by you in relation to the accident.
- Any Bail bond you may have to furnish in the court of law for your immediate release before the hearing date.
Exclusions
- Action of any type by any other person accompanying you.
- Death or injury of members of your household or people who work for you.
- Loss or damage to property which belongs to you or is under your control, or the control of a member of your household, or people who work for you.
- Your job/profession/professional activities/trade/business/employment or occupation.
- Any wilful, malicious, criminal, or unlawful act, error, or omission.
- Your participation in any leisure activity or activity-based holiday where Personal Liability is specifically excluded in the Leisure Activities, Activity Based Holidays or Adventure Sports.
- Transmission of illness or disease by the insured
- Anything mentioned in the General Exclusions section of your travel insurance.
- Any fines or exemplary damages (punishing, or aimed at punishing, the person responsible rather than awarding compensation) you must pay.
- Any claim paid or compromised, or commitment made without our prior written consent.
Disclaimer: The above coverages and exclusions mentioned are pertaining specifically to Digit’s International Travel Policy Document. Only some inclusions and exclusions are mentioned above, please refer to the policy schedule for more details.
Things to keep in mind before filing a claim with Digit for Personal Liability and Bail Bond?
While your travel insurance will cover you for legal expenses, you should be aware of certain terms and conditions applicable to your claim. Always ensure to read your policy document thoroughly. Some of the criteria that need adherence for this cover are:
Claim shall be made on the Insured by the third parties during the Period of Insurance or within 60 days from the date of expiry of the insurance.
You need to inform us about the incident within 48 hours of the event.
The Company shall be entitled (but in no case obligated) at any time to take over and conduct the defence and/or settlement of any action or claim in the name of the Insured.
The Company is also entitled to receive the Insured’s cooperation and assistance and to appoint lawyers on the Insured’s behalf.
The Company’s liability to indemnify the Insured under this Section shall be to the extent finally determined by appropriate court of law or otherwise as consented to in advance by the Company.
You, or any person acting for you, must not negotiate, admit, or reject any claim without our permission in writing.
One of the most important and must have covers in your International Travel Insurance is the Personal Liability and Bail Bond. Travelling to a new place comes with all its thrills and adventures, but sometimes it is possible that you accidentally get into legal trouble. It is always better to be safe than sorry, especially in a foreign country.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purpose, collected across the Internet and with respect to Digit’s Policy Wordings document. For detailed coverage, exclusions, and conditions about Personal Liability and Bail Bond cover, go through your travel policy document carefully.