March Break is just around the corner and with that, Spring is not far behind!
Woo! Spring Break! Yeah!
Well, someone is definitely excited, but settle down for a moment so we can discuss something that every vacationer should get: Travel insurance.
Boo! I don’t want to talk about insurance. I need to work on my beach body and pack!
Fair enough, but all of your hard work will be for nothing if you get sick and don’t have the proper coverage…
But… fine… you’re right. Go on.What is travel insurance?
It’s emergency care when things unexpectedly go wrong. Depending on the policy you buy, it can be there for when your luggage is lost by the airline, when you fall hiking, get a parasite overseas, or need to cancel or cut your trip short because a family member suddenly died. It’s designed to be there for accidents, both health and non-health related, and unexpected events.
Travel insurance is not a replacement for health insurance and should not be treated as such. It’s there for unexpected emergencies. Break a leg? Pop an eardrum? Get food poisoning? Travel insurance will cover you. Do you want to see a dentist for a cavity? You’re out of luck!
Most travel insurance plans don’t cover pre-existing conditions. If you get sick on the road travel insurance is there for you; but if you need medication for an ongoing chronic disease or a medical condition you knew of before you bought the policy, you could be out of luck. In addition, if you get sick under one policy and then you extend it or start a new policy, most insurers will consider your illness a pre-existing condition and won’t cover it under your new policy.
Alright, but how does this travel insurance thing actually work?
Well, if it’s a major medical emergency that requires overnight hospitalization or emergency repatriation, then you (or someone else) would contact the emergency assistance team and they can help make arrangements and approve costs. For all other situations, including day admission to hospital, you need to claim reimbursement from your insurer. You pay out of pocket and then submit documentation to the insurance company after the fact. Be sure to keep all documentation, file any necessary police reports, and save all receipts. Companies don’t reimburse you based on your word.
I hope you never have to use your plan but, if you need to, you’ll be happy you bought it. Don’t avoid it because you think you will be fine. Travel insurance is a safeguard against the unexpected. Nobody ever expects to get hit by a backpacker driving a scooter in Thailand!
Like a responsible adult, be prepared. It’s worth it.
If you’re planning a trip in the near future or even just thinking of doing so, please give Absolute Insurance Brokers a call at 1-877-941-2266 and we would be more than happy to give you a quote for travel insurance and make sure you and your family stays safe and healthy! Bon Voyage!
