The Perils of Traveling Without Adequate Travel Insurance

By insurance in travel insurance

Nov 6

You may think that when you are traveling - whether on the road , for vacation or even traveling as a medical tourist or as the companion of a medical tourist that you do not need emergency medical health insurance. It often a case of oversight or a conscious decision that either you are healthy, unlikely to get sick or at the worst you are on vacation and “who cares”. After all life or even your job may all in all be “one big holiday”.

Think again. Medical treatment away from home may not be available and inexpensive at that. A simple thing as a skiing accident this winter in Canada may change your life in a drastic way for the worst. You may have read and heard for example that Canada has “free health care”. It’s free all right - for Canadian citizens who have paid more than a bundle in taxes for that privilege. You on the other hand as an American pay full bore retail - almost at U.S. prices.

First of all find out and document what your health care plan covers. What coverage does it give, where, in what countries and to what level of service? It may be that you are covered by your health care insurance plan but only for certain types of medical care, up to certain limit and only for certain levels of care. For example you may find that in that skiing accident that basic hospital rooms are covered, not semi private. A general practitioner may be covered but not the specialist that your family demands as a second opinion as an example. You may find that you have medical coverage as part of your credit card benefit package. Again check again and verify in writing before travel. Otherwise it may be a misunderstanding on your part. It will then become a matter of pay now, to get treatment and dispute the credit card charges later.

Hopefully the appeals to the credit card insurance dept will be in your favor. Again a little bit of preparation can save you a lot of time , aggravation , effort and even money later on when you arrive back safe and healthy back home. This coverage falls under the simple insurance term description of “guarantee of payment for approved expenses”

One of the most glossed over factors by people when they seek travel insurance is that of “pre-existing illness”. If you have been treated for an illness before do not hide this information when you apply for health care insurance. Your claim can be denied on return, even if the insurance company pays at time of treatment. You could be left with a very large bill that will be cash out of pocket for you that could require a substantial withdrawal from your hard earned savings or even be placed in the position of having to take out a reasonably large loan. As you should have learnt by now insurance companies and banks are not known for their sympathies and consideration of others. It’s strictly business and payment of accounts - promptly. By misleading a young inexperienced clerk of say - previous cardiac concerns by your medical care provider, that were never placed on your travel insurance application - not only could you have your claim denied - you can even be charged with fraud.

In summary - travel health insurance is essential if you are traveling - especially out of the country. Ensure that you have enough coverage - both in terms of coverage, coverage of services and time period. Ensure you know what is not covered both in terms of service and levels of service provided. Know who and what you have to do and contract in case medical care is needed. Inform your traveling companions of this information as well, and where the written documentation is stored in your luggage or carries on luggage in case it is needed or needed to refer to.

Lastly all in all with the reassurance and reassurances of your travel medical insurance have a good time - whether it is a work trip, a vacation or even a trip abroad for medical care itself?

Syd E. Nohcud

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