Protect Yourself and Your Wallet - 7 Key Questions to Ask About a Travel Insurance Policy

By insurance in travel insurance

May 14

Traveling around the world for the last 17 years has given me the opportunity to try several different insurance policies. I’ve learned that not asking a couple of key questions about a travel insurance policy can be hazardous to both your health and your wallet.

It’s important to carve out some time to do a little research to find a travel insurance plan that suits your health care needs as an individual and for your trip. I strongly recommend speaking with a professional, reputable provider about the best policy for your needs. Travel agents always have competitive rates; you just want to be sure that your travel agent is licensed to sell insurance. This step can be a lifesaver in the grand scheme of things…literally.

Here are 7 basic questions to ask about a travel insurance policy…before you buy it. Some of these I’ve learned the hard way! Let’s keep you safe on your travels and also keep that shirt on your back!

It’s essential to be honest about your situation and about any pre-existing medical conditions that you may have. While you might be tempted to “fudge just a bit” to bring down your premiums, it CAN cancel out your policy if you aren’t honest about a condition. Where does that leave you? Up a creek with no paddle!

Let’s start with some basics…

1. If a medical issue comes up while you’re traveling, will you need to pay for the medical expenses up front? If so, how does your plan handle reimbursement? How much paperwork is there? How fast will you get paid? (Remember to save ALL your receipts! For everything.)

2. What is the maximum dollar amount you’re covered for? 1 million dollars? 2 million dollars? Nowadays, it’s recommended to have in excess of 1 million dollars on your policy.

3. Do you need to tell the travel insurance medical company about your accident/condition/problem before you have treatment? (Some plans won’t provide coverage if you don’t make this telephone call first, shockingly enough.)

4. Does your policy cover a regular doctor’s visit if something comes up and you need to go in for a prescription? What about a dental emergency?

5. If you have a serious medical emergency, does your coverage provide air evacuation to your home country? What type of transportation is it? Helicopter? Commercial plane? Charter plane? Private plane?

6. If you’re traveling through a country more than once, is your coverage still valid on a multi-entry visa or ticket?

7. Can you extend your coverage while you’re overseas? How? Who would you need to contact?

I hope you’ve found these tips useful for your journey. Have fun and travel safe!

By Kristine Polley

Kristine Polley is the author of a new women’s travel book called Lipstick & Luggage. This lively book is chock full of women’s travel tips, insider’s secrets and travel-related tales of Kristine’s crazy adventures. Come and visit us now at: http://www.lipstickandluggage.com

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