Options to Include
While selecting cover, ensure the following options are included:
• Some of the costs of your travel in case something goes wrong such as a cancelled flight or lost luggage
• Cover for financial loss (in case of a natural calamity)
• Health coverage options
Know Yourself
While deciding which insurance plan is best for you, having a clear understanding of your health, your line of work and more is important so that you can get the best deal possible for yourself and your family.
The Implications
Medical costs have risen across the globe. Besides that, quality and costs of both routine and emergency medical care can also vary greatly from one country to another. As a result, many world travelers purchase supplementary international medical insurance or travel insurance in a bid to avoid the potentially high financial costs that could result from serious sickness or injury abroad.
When traveling abroad it is best to find out directly from your primary home-country health care provider (i.e., health insurance, HMO, ministry of health) the following details:
• Whether and to what extent you are covered
• Under what circumstances you are covered for medical expenses (emergency and routine)
You might be surprised to discover that your health care provider offers little or no protection or reimbursement for the costs of any type of medical treatment received abroad, which is why purchasing international travel insurance is a prudent option.
The Plans
There are many types of insurance for expat travelers and choosing the right plan can be confusing. Review and understand the basic types of plans and the specialized terms to compare plans and ultimately choose the right plan for your needs.
Often, people confuse travel insurance with flight accident insurance. However, there are two other primary types of travel insurance that aim at reducing the financial risk posed by unforeseen medical expenses and other crises that can confront international travelers.
Both of these plans may be offered in single-trip, multi-trip, or renewable versions:
• International Medical Insurance - is short or long term medical insurance designed to reimburse the insured for medical expenses incurred when traveling or living abroad. Maximum policy coverage levels could be substantial enough to cover major medical expenses such as emergency surgery and extended hospital stays. Plans may also include emergency evacuation, reunion, and repatriation benefits and other travel assistance services.
• Travel Protection Plans - reimburse your non-reimbursed travel expenses if an emergency such as death, sickness, airline strike or travel company bankruptcy occurs right before or during your trip, causing it to be canceled, interrupted or delayed. These plans commonly include travel assistance services, protection for lost or damaged baggage and limited cover for incurred medical expenses.
More Expat Resources
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