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International Travel Health Insurance Should Not Be An Option

By: Don Saunders If you are thinking about traveling abroad, whether on business or on pleasure and for only a few days or many months, you should not travel before you have arranged suitable international travel health insurance coverage.

Health care can be very expensive overseas and in many areas you will discover that you will not be able to get medical care, even in emergency circumstances, unless you are able to pay up front. If this seems strange then believe me � it is a fact.

On a recent vacation I took a friend to the local hospital in a popular Far Eastern holiday town after a fortunately minor traffic accident in which he sustained a nasty cut to his leg requiring stitches and, as well as the doctors and nurses in the emergency room, we were also met by one of the hospital cashiers who requested details of my friend's medical insurance or a credit card/cash payment before treatment could be given.

International travel health insurance is specifically designed to provide medical cover for individuals or families traveling overseas and is an extremely flexible form of medical insurance cover. It often allows for daily rates (rates which are based on the number of days for which you will be traveling) and can normally be arranged without any requirement to answer health questions and regardless of your age. Coverage is also normally available on a worldwide basis or can be arranged to provide cover for travel to particular countries.

One very important thing to consider when buying international travel health insurance however is just where you intend traveling to and what standard of medical care will be available to you at your destination. Against this background, you should ensure that any plan covers you for every possible event including such things as hospitalization, ambulance fees and, critically, cover for your return home should this prove to be necessary.

Do not forget too that, if you are traveling as a family, any plan should cover all members of the family and provide for such things as expenses should it be necessary for one or both parents to stay in the hospital with a sick child or to accompany a child home by air ambulance.

One of the last things that we ever think about happening when we travel overseas, particularly on vacation, is having an accident or falling sick while we are away with anything more than an upset stomach. But, accidents happen every day and serious and sudden illness can strike without warning. Indeed, the chances of such events are considerably raised when we are out of our normal environment, so why take the risk.

When it comes to buying international travel health insurance the principles are the same as those that apply to buying any other type of insurance. Take your time and shop around examining plans from a number of different companies before making your choice. Stick with well know major insurers, with an international reputation, and read carefully through the small print of any contract document before committing yourself.

Finally, bear in mind that dealing with medical problems when you are sick and hundreds or thousands of miles from home is something that needs to be quick and simple. So, do not be tempted to cut corners when arranging your coverage! You might pay a little more than you would perhaps wish to but, if you have to call on your plan, you will be extremely glad that you spent those few extra dollars.