Health Insurance When Traveling

By Keith Londrie

Even if you have an excellent health insurance cover at home it will not always work if you travel, especially abroad. In many occasions you will need to get a separate travel health insurance.

If you are planning a vacation aboard, you should check several things:

First of all check if your current health insurance policy covers emergencies overseas. Many insurance companies have this included in their plans however there are additional costs involved. So if you are a U.S. resident and need medical care while you are on vacation in Europe you will get it but you will have to pay a lot when you are back home.

If you are not satisfied fro the conditions of your current medical cover you should find travel insurance for the trip. There are many companies that offer health insurance or travelers. You will need to select one comparing the benefits you will be offered.

How to select the best plan is a matter of good research. Check the costs each policy involves. Then check what it covers. Some travel health insurance policies cover
emergency situations only, while other includes treatment of illnesses. The second type
is good if you are planning to travel for a longer period of time.

You should be prepared to face a whole new reality when you check what each travel insurance policy covers. Many health insurance plans for travelers do not cover treatment of previous or chronic conditions you have. Most of them do not cover maternity, child birth as well as vaccinations. Many travel health insurance policies will deny paying for injuries or medical emergencies if they are caused due to use of alcohol or drugs.

Since there might be many differences between a regular health insurance plan and a traveler's one, you should remember what will be covered to avoid unpleasant surprises when you are back home.

Finally let's see what should be covered by your traveler insurance. First and foremost make sure your policy will pay for ay emergencies, including dental emergencies. The next important thing is to try getting coverage for treatment of illnesses. While it is unlikely for you to get seriously ill if you are on a short vacation, it will be best if you are on the save side. You should aim for a health insurance with small deductibles and co pays. Finally you should find one that will pay all of the medical expenses you might have abroad.