A vacation abroad can only be planned out so much. Between the luggage hauling, train catching, touring, and late night dancing, it seems like vacationing accidents can occur more easily when you are away than when you are at home. The idea of having to spend the entire travel budget on foreign medical bills is enough to make the average traveler sick. Every year, millions of people travel internationally and out of the borders of their health insurance coverage. Although the idea of paying for something that you may or may not need can seem like a waste of money, investing in travel insurance should be taken into serious consideration when planning to travel out of the country.
The term foreign travel insurance refers to a group of specialized policies that are intended to protect you against certain misfortunes that could happen to you and/or your family and friends while you are traveling. Before you leave, check and see if your current insurance provider will cover you outside the country. If not, foreign travel insurance can take the financial risk out of an unforeseen mishap, sickness, or emergency. Even if you are covered, however, you may still be forced to pay medical bills in cash and be reimbursed on your insurance later. Some health plans also limit coverage to 30 or 60 days while out of the country.
Finding a plan that is reasonable and simple can sometimes be difficult. First, have a good idea of where you will be going and the things you plan on doing overseas that you may want to cover, such as bungee jumping or parasailing. Second, consider the duration of your trip. The longer you plan on being away, the more complete coverage you will need. Talk to travel companions about their interests when it comes to choosing the right foreign travel insurance. Many insurance services offer individual and group rates for American citizens traveling abroad as well as foreign visitors coming into the U.S. Many travel insurance plans can also include coverage of lost baggage, car rentals, flight delays, lost connections, flight accidents, and other types of travel protection benefits.
For travelers who plan on being out of the country for a relatively short period of time (such as two to four weeks), should look for a smaller policy that covers the basics such as medical evacuation, 24-hour medical assistance and limited benefits for medical expenses. For trips lasting up to six months, consider a travel plan that will pick up where your home provider let go. Consider a plan with higher benefits and coverage for a family member in case they must travel to the country in which you are being hospitalized. For longer trips, make sure your insurance covers all aforementioned, plus higher maximum benefits, usually up to $1 million or more. Standard travel medical plans are usually limited to one year, with the option to renew for another plan.
When choosing a plan, read over the policy carefully and look for any exemptions such as for pre-existing conditions, specific diseases, or certain areas of the world. Make sure your plan also covers medical evacuation costs if you are going to an area that may not be able to provide the medical care you will need. Check with your travel agent for more information on choosing the right foreign travel insurance .
By Kelley Caner