Important Questions Travelers Forget to Ask When Buying
Medical Travel Insurance
I always buy travel insurance. As many of you know, I learned the hard way how important it is. While in Thailand, my phone was stolen and I fell ill in Ireland.
In both situations, I had to foot the 300 and 400 Euros bills myself. As a result, my recommendation is that you always buy it. Firms like safe trip provide coverage for all kinds of trips and age groups, as do many others.
But, you still need to do your homework. It is all too easy to end up buying a policy that is not really suitable for you. To help you to avoid doing that here are some questions I suggest you ask when buying your next policy.
What is covered?
This is the most basic question. Buying a policy does not necessarily cover you for all medical emergencies. Some firms do not include repatriation in the deal.
So, you need to be careful. Here is what you need to check.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
In many cases, if you need medical attention because a pre-existing condition has gotten out of control, or progressed, you will not be covered. Even if you are, the coverage may not be adequate.
Ask if there is coverage. Also, find out how the policy defines pre-existing conditions. If you are not happy with what is on offer, ask if they would provide extra coverage, how much that would cost and what level of coverage you would get.
Ask about exclusions
Some conditions and situations are not covered at all. You need to understand what they are and make sure that those exclusions do not apply to you.
What are the excesses?
Most policies have excesses. It is important to understand what they are. You do not want to make a claim only to discover that you have to pay the first $1000 of the bill.
How are claims handled?
You need to buy a policy that is there for you around the clock. Ask how they can be contacted, what level of support they offer. In a stressful situation, you do not want to have to wait until Monday morning to get help. It is also important to use a company that offers a helpline that is free to call from anywhere in the world.
Some firms require you to get permission from them before you can seek medical help. Many will be lenient and understanding if you find yourself in an emergency situation. But, not all of them operate like that. You need to understand what they categorize as an emergency. If their response is not reasonable it is best to look elsewhere.
Does the company pay the medical practitioners directly?
In many cases, the insurance firm requires you to pay the medical bills upfront. This may not be viable for you particularly if you do not have a credit card you can use in an emergency.
Are any activities excluded from the policy?
If you are planning to do an activity such as skiing or bungee jumping while you are away you need to be sure that you will be covered should you be injured. Many firms do not automatically cover high-risk activities. So, it is best to ask.
If you want to find out more about things that are not typically covered by travel insurance you just need to, click here.
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