Allianz travel insurance app

Travel Insurance is one of those things you don’t think about too much until you need it. Then at that point you’re either cursing yourself for skipping that step before the trip or you’re breathing a sigh of relief when your claim takes care of a big problem.

Fishing around for the original documentation in paper form may not be very convenient though when you’re out on an adventure or separated from your luggage after arrival. You’ll probably have your phone with you though no matter what, so the TravelSmart App from Allianz Global Assistance can provide more security by giving you what you need in one place.

This app is designed to be a one-source answer place for your “What if…?” questions related to problems during your travels.

  • Where can I find a hospital that has been vetted by Allianz Global Assistance?
  • What’s the local name of the medicine I need to buy?
  • What’s the local emergency number?
  • How do you say “bandage” or “emergency room” in the local language?

Allianz appThe drug dictionary can be very helpful since medicine names often change internationally and the brand name you’re used to is probably not the actual drug name. You can also use your camera to take a photo of the medicine bottle to show a pharmacist. You can add your own notes to each photo as well.

The hospital finder will show the location and is integrated with Google Maps to provide directions.

The first aid terms dictionary would be especially helpful in a country like China or Egypt where you may need to actually show someone the term in their own script. Holding up a phone and showing them could be the difference in getting what you need or a frustrating communication breakdown. Even in Latin America, would you know how to pronounce a drug name in Portuguese?

Emergency numbers are not the same from country to country. The 911 number in the USA is 123 in Colombia. In Argentina, you dial 101 for police, 100 for fire, and 107 for an ambulance.

The Android version I tested only had medical info, but the Apple version has a tracker to help you keep tabs on your flights along the way. If you don’t already have something like TripIt, this will enable you to check for delays (within a three-day window). The iPhone version also has a “click to call” hotline button to enable you to connect to a human to help with your situation. Those two items, as well as the ability to pull up your policy info, are coming later for Android.

This is a brand new app regardless so you might want to put it on “auto update.” The version 1.0.1 that was out at the time of review only groups hospitals by country—which means every hospital in the United States is on one scrolling list—and pickings are slim for international locations. In all of Mexico the only listings were in three resort cities and the capital, with nothing for Guadalajara (the second largest city), Monterrey (the third) or other popular resort areas such as Mazatlan or Ixtapa. I’m assuming more information will be added over time as the app gets traction and this will be a great addition to a traveler’s toolkit of apps for the road.

See more information here and download it from the Apple store or Google Play store.

Thanks to Allianz for sponsoring this post, providing travel coverage for the unexpected. Luxury Latin America received financial compensation from Allianz Global Assistance (AGA Service Company) but all opinions are our own.