How to Have Your Peace of Mind While Travelling Abroad

significance that a travel insurance cover

Most healthy people who are enamoured with the very idea of travelling at times fail to understand the significance that a travel insurance cover has for their jaunt. They labor under the belief that they probably do not require the insurance cover because it is quite unlikely for them to get sick during a tour. They might have queries in their minds like “Why on earth should we waste money by purchasing an insurance cover for our travel? We are quite sound and there is no chance that we could fall sick,” Herein lies the real twist. A travel insurance pack is not only a cover of medical protection. There is more than what meets the eye. If you are traveling abroad for business and don’t want to deal with details such as travel insurance, employ services such as assignment management software. They will figure out the details for your trip so you don’t have to worry about it.

Prevent an awkward situation with travel insurance

tour might be full of uncertaintiesA tour might be full of uncertainties.  So many things could happen to you during the tour. Your expensive watch might just get damaged while you are trying to have fun during an escapade. Your favourite camera might just fall off your hands and break off. One of your family members might fall sick during the tour. Even if you leave the damages apart you might have to face awkward situation like your flight might get cancelled. In such unpredictable situations your travel insurance pack is going to come extremely handy.

Adequate cover for single trips

It has been observed that cover for a single trip appears to be a preferred option and a highly favourite one with countless globe trotters. When you pick up the cover for single trips you become entitled to

  • Proper cover for pre existing medical conditions
  • Cover for medical evacuations
  • Cover for medical services
  • Medical limits and deductibles in varying forms

Extra cover

insurance coverage facilitiesIf you make a dash for the right and versatile insurance coverage facilities you would be entitled to get additional cover for educational trips, missionary trips as well as business trips. There are going to be exemptions on the premiums and other charges on given circumstances.

Standard limits

There is generally no standard age limit on the specific insurance coverage options which you are going to look for to protect your single trips. The exemptions on the age limits are quite obvious as well as lenient. However if it comes to multiple coverage then at times the age factors are taken into consideration. Age factors specifically come into play in those travel options where there are some dangers and fatal situations are involved. If you have the mind to avail yourself of the adventure sports activities then the age factors would be seriously taken into consideration. For example, if you opt for winter sports as well as skiing competitions during the trip your age factors would play a vital role here. If you have already crossed 65 then your insurance pack will probably not cover these risk filled activities.

Multiple cover

Prescription-MedicationIt is always advised that you should get multiple cover prior to setting out on the tour. Multiple cover is supposed to be completely in your favour if you are planning to make the tour along with your entire family. Multi trip coverage facilities are going to cover up

  • The benefits of medical evacuation
  • Cover for accidents as well as sickness
  • Cover for the expenses spent on prescription drugs
  • The opportunity of unlimited trips
  • Cover for the amount spent on hospitalization during the trip
  • Cover for the cancellation of the trip

Make sure to get your bookings online

The most prolific and efficient way of getting the travel insurance cover is by trying it online. There are multitudinous benefits which you should get as you try to get the cover online.

  • In the first place you will be able to get yourself top notch quality of customer service.
  • You can compare quotes, bargain for one and even change if you are not in the mood for appreciating a particular cover.
  • You should not forget that you will be entitled with the option of verified reviews

5 Most common misconceptions about travel insurance

While travelling abroad, some of us often wonder, “What is the need of having travel insurance?” People who plainly ignore travel insurance think that since nothing bad has happened to them in their past travels, nothing will happen in future. This is a wrong attitude. Though most probably nothing bad will happen, but if something does, then it will be an immensely difficult situation. Chance events like trip cancellation due to personal emergency, allergy to the food abroad, or misplacing of passport, can land one in an ugly situation. While all these reasons are good enough to make one opt for travel insurance, before getting yourself insured, you should go through your policy carefully. For your reference, here are five most common misconceptions about travel insurance:

1. My travel insurance covers everything

overseas Medicare insuranceEven if you have a good travel insurance plan like overseas Medicare insurance, you must understand that ‘fully covered’ is simply a legal term and it won’t cover everything. Though some policies might cover you for millions, there is an upper limit to every policy. Do check that limit before you apply for your travel insurance. If you are going to a far-off country, and that too for quite a long time, you should select a trustable policy like Medicare supplement for overseas travel that gives you heavy cover.

2. I can even get cover for my pre-existing illnesses

Your insurer will most probably have a detailed report about your medical condition before you took the insurance. Moreover, just your simple medical record will give a proof that you had previous illnesses. In case you go abroad and get a treatment for them, most probably your policy won’t cover it. To prevent contingencies like these, some insurance companies avoid giving travel insurance to senior citizens. However, companies having specific insurance plans like travel insurance for seniors with Medicare get over this shortcoming.

3. I will get private medical care of my choice

treatment in a private hospitalMost probably, you won’t. Most travel insurance companies will schedule your treatment in state run facilities of the major hospitals. Only in rare cases where no such hospitals are available, will you get your treatment in a private hospital.

4. All travel insurance are the same

While looking at the wide range of travel insurance prices, it isn’t hard for one to opt for the cheapest travel insurance. But, remember, the cheaper insurance policies are cheap for a reason. Not only they provide less cover, but there are also a wide range of circumstances that aren’t covered in such policies. For reference, just thoroughly compare two policies with a wide price difference. You’ll find out the difference.

5. I can cancel my flights whenever I want

flight cancellationPeople often have the misconception that if they are getting a flight cancellation insurance, they can cancel their flight whenever they like, and get their money back. Well, you can get your money back, but not until you have a valid reason. If you cancel your flight, you won’t get refund simply from the airline. For that, you’ll have to go back to your place, file a claim, and unless your reason for flight cancellation is a valid one, you won’t get anything. 

TOP 10 TRAVEL INSURANCE QUESTIONS ANSWERED

While every emergency medical travel insurance policy varies, we wanted to help you by providing answers to questions you might not know to ask-but are important to know! So, without further ado, let us unveil the birth of a new acronym, the FNAQ, for ‘Frequently Never Asked Questions’. Here is our first ever top 10 Travel Medical Insurance FNAQ’s list.

Top 10 Travel Medical Insurance FNAQ’s

1. FNAQ: What is supplementary travel medical coverage?

Medical-reimbursement-claimAnswer: Travel medical insurance will reimburse you all, or a portion, of the expenses you incur during a medical emergency (it will depend on the amount of coverage you buy.) It will kick in the money that is needed over and above what your provincial health insurance plan will cover, while travelling outside Canada. Supplementary travel insurance varies greatly from company to company but can include coverage for such things as:

  • Emergency dental care
  • Medical evacuation services such as an ambulance or air ambulance
  • Medical devices like casts, canes, slings, trusses, walkers, wheelchair rental, splints, etc.…
  • Licensed doctors’ fees
  • Outpatient assistance
  • Incidental expenses incurred while in the hospital
  • Hospital room accommodation

Note: Check to see if your supplementary travel medical insurance comes with deductible or co-payment clauses. A deductible means that you pay the first $250, for example. A co-payment clause could mean that you pay the first 20% of the expense.

2. FNAQ: Is my travel medical insurance affected if I leave early to go on my vacation, or leave late to come home?

Answer: Yes, in both instances you will not be covered. But good news! Usually, all you have to do is make a simple call to your travel insurance company before you do either to start your coverage early or extend it which will ensure that you are covered. Why is this so important? Statistics suggest that the highest incidences of claims occur at the beginning and ends of trips. This means that if you don’t call and make sure you are covered; you won’t have coverage during the very times when you need it the most! So do call your travel insurance company should you have a change in plans.

3. FNAQ: If I spend my winters in Florida, can I rely on my provincial travel medical insurance to cover me?

medical insurance coverAnswer: It’s not advisable. Provincial government health insurance plans will usually cover emergency care but only for as much as that service would have cost in your home province. As a result, you are responsible for the difference in cost. And the difference between the actual cost of out-of-country emergency services and the amount you’re covered through your province’s health insurance can be significant. Also, keep in mind that most provinces have a minimum number of days that you must reside in the province each year to maintain eligibility for coverage under their Health Insurance Plan. Keep this in mind when you are planning your winter escape.

4. FNAQ: I have travel medical insurance coverage through my credit card so that will be enough, right?

Answer: Maybe and maybe not. Read all of the information that comes with your credit card’s health coverage. You might be surprised to find out that if you only go with your credit card coverage, you could leave yourself open to major medical bills. Watch for the information about:

  • Eligibility requirements, including any restrictions.
  • Coverage limitations, specifically the maximum they’ll pay.
  • How many travel days per year you are allowed.
  • Trip length limitations on individual trips.
  • Don’t forget you might have to pay for your trip with the credit card in order to even be covered by that card’s insurance offering.

5. FNAQ: Can I buy travel medical insurance after I have left for my vacation?

couple-buying-travel-medical-insuranceAnswer: Unlikely. Most Canadian travel insurance providers will not sell you travel insurance while already on holiday. Make sure you get it before you leave!

6. FNAQ: Will I still be covered if I decide to travel outside the country I originally said I was going to vacation in when applying for my emergency medical travel insurance?

Answer: The travel insurance policy you purchased will not provide you with coverage should you decide to visit another country, other than the one(s) you’ve specified when buying your policy. Some companies will extend coverage to new destinations, if notified, but it will cost you extra.

 7. FNAQ: If I didn’t purchase trip cancellation as part of my travel medical insurance policy and I decide to hop on a flight from my primary destination country to a new destination country, can I call my insurance provider and purchase trip cancellation for my new trip?

woman at airportAnswer: No. Unless you tell your travel insurance provider before you leave, most companies will not cover you for any additional flight departures.

8. FNAQ: Can I get treatment from anyone, for anything, during an emergency and be covered by my travel medical insurance?

Answer: No. When you buy your coverage, your travel insurance provider will give you instructions on how to get treatment along with a toll-free number to their service center. It is the role of this center to help you manage your medical needs. The center will have a list of preferred hospitals and physicians and will give you a referral. Even with this, you should get authorization for medical care or treatments proposed to you. This is because your insurance company may not recognize and cover you for some medical, laboratory and diagnostic procedures they deem not needed in your particular “emergency”. If in doubt, call (or have someone trusted call) the toll-free number and check with them first before you get the procedure done.

Make sure you get detailed receipts for all the work you get done.

 9. FNAQ: What is NOT covered by my travel medical insurance?

Have Your Peace of Mind While Travelling AbroadAnswer: Every policy is different, which is why you should read it over carefully. In general, an emergency due to a pre-existing condition is not covered. A pre-existing condition is one that has been diagnosed by a licensed physician (the length of time since diagnosis varies by company), the medical condition has not been stable prior to leaving for holiday, or you started taking medication or began treatment for the condition recently (again length of time prior to departure varies by company.)

Note: Luckily, there are some travel insurance companies that will offer coverage for emergencies that arise due to a pre-existing condition-but only if they know about your pre-existing condition beforehand. When applying for coverage, you will be asked about any pre-existing conditions for which you will then have to answer a full medical questionnaire.

Along with pre-existing conditions, there are other instances that are typically excluded from your policy’s coverage including: self-inflicted injuries; pregnancy, childbirth or complications from either; participation in contact sports or risky activities such as scuba diving; drug or alcohol abuse; involvement in criminal activities; acts of war; or simply travel to countries where a notice has been issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs advising Canadians not to travel to this country, region or city.

Finally, non-emergencies-like routine health care, elective surgery or investigative or diagnostic services-will not typically be covered by your travel medical insurance policy. 

10. FNAQ: What can I do if I have a dispute with my travel medical insurance provider?

Answer: Thankfully, you can take your concerns and complaints of Canadian travel insurance providers to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance OmbudService (CLHIO). The CLHIO was incorporated as a separate and independent entity from the industry association.

Choosing the right travel insurance company

If you already know about a trusted insurance company, you can find if it’ll give you travel insurance as well. For example, if you trust Medicare insurance, you should first ask yourself questions like, does Medicare cover foreign travel? Do this first, and sign the policy only after reading it thoroughly multiple times.

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