Month: May 2018

Should I Purchase Travel Insurance, Travel Tips

This is one of those age-old questions with no definitive answer. It’s estimated that 30 percent of Americans purchase travel insurance, which is a drastic increase since 9/11, when less than 10 percent of travelers were insured.

If you’re flying on a $150 ticket to see Aunt Irma in Wisconsin, you probably don’t need travel insurance. But on a trip such as yours, travel insurance can come in handy if something unexpectedly disrupts your trip. Your first step is to compare the cost of the trip versus the cost of the policy.

The most common situations when travel insurance comes in handy are:

Your flight is canceled

Your passport and wallet are stolen

You require medical treatment while abroad

You need to cancel your trip due to illness

An unexpected hurricane hits your destination

Your airline/cruise line/tour company go bankrupt

Reasons NOT to purchase travel insurance are:

You’re afraid of terrorism

A hurricane is going to hit your destination (this applies if the storm has already been named by the National Weather Service)

Your pet is ill

Your flight is delayed for so long that you want to cancel

One major caveat: Never purchase travel insurance from the same tour operator or cruise line with which you’re traveling. If that company goes out of business, there may not be money to cover your claim. Use a third-party provider (that includes travel agents).

Also, don’t forget about medical insurance. Even if you are covered for basic emergency care overseas, in almost all cases, your current health insurance does NOT cover you to evacuate you and fly you back to the U.S. Something called “Medical Evacuation and Repatriation” insurance comes in handy here. You pay a yearly fee, and if you get sick or injured overseas, the policy will get you treated, stabilized and flown back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice, not theirs. There are a number of good companies that provide this type of plan, such as MedJet Assist.

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Visitors Medical Insurance

Foreign travel can be both exciting and challenging. Travel planning calls for a lot of thought and time. Often healthcare needs of travelers are overlooked. This oversight can turn an otherwise great trip into something out of a nightmare.

These are some important steps you must take before you undertake any travel:

1. See your primary care physician and discuss your needs during your foreign travel. Ensure everybody is current with immunizations. Many Asian and African nations demand proof or certificate of vaccination. These requirements can be obtained from your travel agent.

2. Study your current health insurance plan to determine if it offers adequate coverage overseas. If it is not clear check with your insurance company about what is covered and excluded during overseas travel.

3. If your current health plan doesn’t offer coverage for medical expenses and medical evacuation it is prudent to consider foreign visitor insurance. If your travels are short term then you can consider a visitor medical insurance policy. If you are out on a long trip spanning several years then you can consider a more comprehensive international health insurance plan offering regular pregnancy and preventive healthcare benefits.

The premium for the plan is influenced by your age, the type of benefits and the length of coverage. It is best to speak to an experienced visitors insurance professional. Ask the right questions and ensure you protect your most important asset – health.

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Why Traveler’s Medical Insurance Is An Important Investment

With the many recent bankruptcies in the travel industry, and with the increased threat of terrorism overseas, travel insurance has become one of the most important investments you can make before your next trip.

How much would it cost if you needed to cancel your trip or come home early, Who would you call if you suddenly fell ill in your overseas hotel room, How will you navigate the local health care system if you get run over by a local bicyclist, Travel insurance can cover a lot more than trip cancellation costs and lost luggage.

Unlike most insurance policies that are purchased annually, most travel insurance covers a single trip. Single trip travel insurance is designed for those of us who take one main holiday a year or who prefer to have a few short breaks from the daily grind.

However, if you travel often, you can purchase a multi-trip policy that covers all your travel for a specified period of time, depending on your needs. The right policy is the best way to minimize the financial risks of traveling overseas.

Although many people think of trip cancellation coverage when they think of travel insurance, the medical element of travel insurance may be more important, especially if your group health plan does not have benefits outside your own country. In fact, travel Insurance is highly recommended by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for all overseas travel.

Before going abroad, learn what medical services your own health insurance will cover overseas. If your emergency medical care and transportation are covered by your group health policy, you may not need a separate travel policy that covers your health. However, if you have an HMO or managed care plan, or if your health care needs are covered by Medicare or your national insurance plan, you should consider an international medical policy.

Your first step is to check with your health insurance company and see what it covers. Will they help you out if you lose your prescription medication along with your luggage, Will they help you find a good hospital or an English-speaking doctor in a foreign country, Will they cover emergency evacuations if the local facilities are unable to treat your illness or accident,

If your group coverage allows claims from other countries, how long will it take for you to be reimbursed, and how easy (or difficult) is it to file a claim, Once you have answers to these questions, you’ll know if you should add medical coverage to your travel insurance policy.

If you travel for business or if you are taking an extended trip lasting for several years, you may need an international health insurance policy designed specifically for expatriates and citizens traveling around the world. There are many global insurance carriers that offer life, health, disability and travel insurance to individual travelers and to companies with employees overseas.

The coverage offered by different international companies will vary a great deal from one policy to the next, so carefully review all fine print before making your choice. You might also check to see if the company is regulated by your own national laws and insurance regulations.

In a world where anything can happen, travel insurance is your ticket to safeguarding your trip. Emergency medical travel insurance is essential to protect yourself, your family and your personal finances, and to give yourself peace of mind while enjoying your vacation or business trip abroad.

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