An emergency while on vacation could ruin the careful plans you’ve made, not to mention hundreds or thousands of dollars in unexpected costs. Travel insurance can be cheap to buy and will cover those emergencies, if you buy the right policy.
Do I Really Need to Buy a Policy?
From weekend road trips to month-long vacations, there is a travel insurance policy for any type of trip.
Some vacations, tour operators, and even countries may require proof of insurance, so make sure you know the requirements.
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Most of the time, buying travel insurance is the decision and responsibility of the traveler.
What Coverage Do I Already Have?
The first step in researching travel insurance is to know what your health insurance and car insurance already covers.
For example, if health insurance covers hospitals and emergency room visits and you are not traveling to a different country, you may already have the coverage you need.
If you’re planning a climbing trip in Colorado and your health insurance doesn’t cover an airlift if you fall, you may want to buy a policy that includes it.
The same goes with car insurance. I have both AAA and full coverage car insurance. If I’m on a road trip in the U.S., I’m covered. If I decide to drive in another country that’s not the case.
How Does Travel Insurance Work?
I figure the cost of travel insurance into the price of an international trip. Policies are normally based on the price of the vacation.
I never used to consider buying travel insurance. We happened to insure our first trip to the Mediterranean because of violence that was happening at that point in Turkey.
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It turned out to be a great decision.
The trip included a trip to the cruise ship’s infirmary. After X-rays and a lot of pain medication, we faced a $2,000 medical bill in less than an hour. The cost went onto our ship account to be paid before we disembarked on the final day of the trip.
More recently, a friend fell and ended up in a Dominican Republic hospital. Again, the bill needed to be paid before the hospital would return her passport.
Keep in mind that even if you have a travel insurance policy covering medical bills, you’ll likely need to pay and then submit invoices to the insurance company for reimbursement. More on that below.
Coverage Questions to Ask
What does a “cancel for any reason” policy really mean?
The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, including travel insurance.
Now policies include clauses that protect insurance companies from paying out if there is a global pandemic, or COVID-19 exposure, etc.
Make sure you know the specific reasons you are allowed to cancel your trip for full reimbursement.
You’ll also want to ask if there is a cancelation deadline.
Does my travel insurance policy cover preexisting conditions?
If you have a preexisting condition, diagnosed by a doctor, make sure the travel insurance policy covers it.
The policy I normally buy covers preexisting conditions as long as the policy is bought within 21 days of booking a trip.
Does my travel insurance include medical evacuations, if needed?
If something horrible happens, you will likely want to be treated at home instead of the closest hospital.
How will you get there?
Does the policy you are considering cover the cost of a medical transport home?
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Does the travel insurance policy include International Health Insurance?
This question is a little confusing.
International health insurance is different from a travel insurance policy that covers health issues.
International health insurance works like your normal health insurance, except it is accepted at hospitals in other countries. The option means costs would either be covered, or you’d pay a lower cost at the facility.
While this option is more expensive up front, you also won’t be out as much money in an emergency.
One thing to remember, if you have international health insurance, carry a copy of it with you. Hospitals will ask for proof of your policy. If you don’t have the policy, you are responsible for the entire bill. In that case, you are responsible for submitting documents to insurance for reimbursement.
How to submit for reimbursement?
If you plan to submit documents to an insurance company for reimbursement, get what you need before leaving the hospital.
Documents may include copies of invoices, receipts, X-rays, CT or MRI scans taken, or even a copy of your medical file.
Also leave the hospital with the name, phone number and email contact for someone at the hospital who deals with billing or insurance claims, in case you have questions.
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If you are on a cruise, find out how to contact the medical professional who treated you in the infirmary.
What else does travel insurance cover?
While much of this article deals with health-related insurance coverage, travel insurance protects against all aspects of travel.
It can cover costs of hotels and other transportation if you miss connecting flights. Travel insurance may also cover flight cancelations if pilots strike.
The key is to get a policy that covers as much of your trip as possible for the lowest cost possible.
Final Advice
Read the policy’s fine print before you buy it, and ask any questions you may have before payment. I am not an insurance expert, but have traveled extensively both with it and without coverage.
Your travel agent, or insurance agent will be able to answer questions to help you get the right policy for your situation.
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