Travel health insurance
The Need for Travel Health Insurance Cover
Visiting a foreign country, whether on holiday or for business, is one of the most exciting experiences in our life. But a sudden illness or an accident abroad can turn it into an absolute nightmare. Most of us naively assume that our regular insurance programs cover whatever illness or health hazards we may face in a foreign land. Only a cautious perusal of the fine print shows that often the coverage is confined to home country. Though some of them may provide limited cover in foreign countries, too, it may not extend to certain contingencies such as emergency evacuation from the country or the place that does not offer the requisite medical care.
Those of us keeping in good health seldom expect to fall sick on a trip. But there?s always a possibility. When we plan a foreign trip we should be well aware that conditions abroad, both natural and man-made, would be quite different from those in the home country, which is enough to trigger an illness. We can catch an infection, fall prey to food poisoning, get mugged or meet with an accident. What we don?t realize is how expensive healthcare can be in a foreign country. Even a simple test or treatment can eat up your entire budget.
Passport and visa is what strikes us when think of the most essential things for foreign travel. Though many of us are yet to appreciate the importance of it, Travel Health Insurance is as essential and inevitable. Without adequate health cover, even the simplest of the health problems and treatments can turn the foreign trip into an extremely expensive and terrible experience.
Extent of Coverage
The scope of benefits and the maximum value of cover differ from policy to policy. Premium size varies depending on the amount of the protection and the period of the trip. A basic plan covers the cost of treatment and most of the related expenses such as tests, x-rays, medicines, blood transfusion, dressings, crutches, cast, wheelchairs, food and accommodation for a certain time in case you are treated as an out-patient, hospital room bills, ambulance charges etc.
Most important of all is the emergency evacuation. Some companies specialize in providing comprehensive evacuation coverage. In case, the attending doctor advises evacuation and recommends that a family member travel with you, the policy would pay for the to and fro economy transport charges, subject to a maximum limit, for one person of your choice. That person can come from your home country to accompany you during your return trip.
In case you are accompanied by a child (children) during the trip and apprehensive about leaving the child (children) unattended during your illness, you can opt for policies which provide repatriation of the child (children) while you receive treatment abroad. Apart from one-way economy fare to the child (children) to homeland, some policies may provide for the cost of an attendant, too, should the child (children) require one.
Some companies provide complete travel cover wherein Travel Health Insurance is only a part. Such comprehensive protection includes delay, disruption or cancellation of the trip, flight accident, loss of baggage etc. They usually charge higher premium. Some plans offer to bring your mortal remains and personal effects to homeland should you die abroad.
Many policies tend to have separate maximum amount limits for each individual benefit such as treatment, medicines, evacuation etc. Also, each policy can have varied lower and upper age stipulations for the insured. Again, age limits may be increased or decreased depending on the length of the trip. You must study the policy brochure with utmost care before buying it.
Period of Coverage
Travel Health Insurance is different from standard health insurance. It provides only an interim and limited relief during your stay abroad. It covers both individuals and groups; both personal and official trips. Coverage is subject to a minimum and maximum period stipulation. If the policy contains a minimum period stipulation of 10 days you need to pay for complete 10 days even though you might be going on a shorter trip. Many policies tend to have a maximum limit of 12 months. Subject to such minimum-maximum limits, you can purchase the policy for certain days, weeks or months. If you are going on a longer trip or frequent short trips, you can opt for continuing coverage.
Coverage has a starting and ending date (technically referred to as ?effective and expiration dates?). Effective date starts when you depart from your homeland; or after the payment of the plan money in full; or the date you requested for in your application - whichever event is the latest. Protection expires when you return to homeland; or on the date cited on your ID card; or when you cease to qualify for protection - whichever event is the earliest.
What Insurance Does Not Cover ? Pre-existing Conditions & Exclusions
Just as other insurance policies, travel health insurance, too, has various types of restrictions, which are popularly known as pre-existing conditions and exclusions.
Pre-conditions are the illness contracted by you before taking the policy. Generally most companies adopt a cut-off period, which may range from a few months to a few years, for covering the problems resulting from such pre-existing conditions. Remember that pregnancy is regarded as a pre-existing condition even if you were not pregnant at the time of purchasing the policy. None of the short-term programs covers pregnancy and related matters such as labor. Some insurers view common health complaints such as diabetes and high/low blood pressure, too, as pre-conditions.
Exclusive conditions under which protection is denied include injuries suffered as a result of hazardous or dangerous sports and activities such as bungee jumping, auto and motorbike races, mountaineering, parachuting, skiing, hang gliding etc. Injuries suffered due to carelessness or while committing an illegal activity, self-inflicted harm and suicide attempts are also not covered.
Protection is denied if you fail to disclose any pre-existing conditions, travel against medical advice, fail to get the prescribed vaccines before going on a trip, act without taking reasonable care or incur medical expenses, which are not recommended or approved by a qualified doctor.
Choosing the Right Plan
Choosing the right plan from among the myriad insurers is not an easy task. If you are visiting just one country you should consider the companies based in that particular country. A local company would best know the country?s medical system, common health problems of the visitors, cost of the treatment etc. Also, it is much easier to contact the local offices without worrying about time differences and currency exchange. If you travel extensively to different countries, better opt for an international insurer with offices across the globe.
You should confirm the credentials of the insurer before purchasing the policy. You must consider issues such as how long the company has been in business, average time taken to settle the claims, its financial viability, whether it has faced much litigation from the clients etc.
Regardless of whom you select your top priority while finalizing a plan should be the coverage provided. It should fit your budget and meet your needs. Separate plans are available for individuals, groups, families, students etc. Travel agent can be a good source of advice to choose an appropriate policy. You can also check with your credit card company. Many companies offer some sort of health cover if their credit card is used to pay for the trip.
Application
The Internet is the easiest and fastest way to shop for insurance. All company websites give quotes for various policies at free of cost. Sometimes you may be asked to answer a short questionnaire to check your eligibility and determine the most suitable policy. Usually on-line applications qualify for a considerable discount.
If you pay the requisite premium along with the application, you get confirmation between 1-24 hours. Your unique identification card and detailed text of the policy is mailed a little later.
Cancellation
Generally insurers tend to reserve the refunding rights in the event of cancellation. Each company has its own refund regulations. You might be asked to pay extra amount at the time of application in case you opt for premium refund facility. If you find the policy unsuitable to your needs, you can return it to the company within the prescribed time limit. In case the trip is cancelled and you dont need insurance any longer refund is considered only if a written request with supporting documents is made before the effective date. It is not always possible to get complete refund. Many insurers charge a cancellation fee.
Caution:
Remember to preserve all the medical bills. You need to provide the original bills and expenditure statements when you make the claim. Also take a certificate from the doctor/hospital who/which treated you, giving the details and period of the treatment.
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