When going abroad, it is essential to avail a travel insurance policy. Period. The importance of purchasing a travel insurance policy cannot be overstated. Due to increased awareness amongst travellers about the benefits of travel insurance, people no longer seem to fall into the trap of skipping to purchasing one. That said, it seems that there is still a lot of ground to cover.
It is seen that while purchasing a travel policy, people don’t seem to give much thought to the detail. More often than not, people choose the travel with the lowest premium. This hindsight can cost you dearly down the road. There are several questions that arise pertaining to a travel health insurance. The most common amongst the many is ‘Does Travel Insurance cover medical expense abroad’? It is critical that one get his facts right and understand the dynamics associated with international health insurance coverage in a travel policy. Let’s take a closer look on how does travel insurance cover health related expenses.
Simply put, the answer is yes, most travel insurance policies cover medical expense when abroad. To begin with, medical insurance is the most critical aspect of any travel insurance policy. When it comes to overseas travel, the criticality of medical coverage is amplified greatly. The reason for this is that largely, the expenses associated with medical treatments are extremely high. The situation is particularly grave in countries such as US and Canada.
When it comes to medical expenses, there are many kinds of situations that you may encounter when abroad. Here are the most common -
- Hospitalization: In the event that your health situation deteriorates to the point that you need to get hospitalized, all the associated expenses including ambulance charges will be reimbursed by the insurance company.
- Medical Treatment: If you get hurt or require consultation for an illness, the expenses, as well as the cost of medication, will be covered.
- Accommodation and travel expenses: An extended stay caused due to an illness or an injury will be taken care of.
- Emergency Evacuation: The charges of emergency repatriation including those of an air ambulance will be covered.
Now that we are aware of what kind of medical expenses are covered, it is also essential to know what to do in the event of a medical emergency. Firstly, you should write down or remember the helpline number of the insurance provider. Secondly, most hospitals have a dedicated assistance cell for that can help you. It is always a good idea to approach them immediately.
Another common question that people have is pertaining to the extent of policy coverage. It is very crucial to be aware of whether pre-existing medical conditions are covered or not. Generally speaking, overseas medical insurance does cover them. However, the list of covered pre-existing conditions varies across travel insurance companies. Thus, make sure to go through the policy wording carefully before signing on the dotted line.
To conclude with, the aforementioned pointers should have gained you insights about travel medical insurance, which in turn will help you to choose the best travel insurance policy for your next trip.
