Of all the things that can go wrong when you’re traveling, health issues can be the most unsettling and costly, quite literally so! They’re not a too big concern when traveling domestically as we’re all familiar with the way Indian medical facilities work, but health ailments encountered during international travel can quickly turn into a nightmare if not planned and prepared for beforehand. The severe complications and risks that can arise in such situations is the primary reason travel health insurance is getting increasingly popular with both the insurance companies and the modern day tourist. But is buying a travel insurance plan the covers for health-related issues mandatory in all countries? What are the factors and conditions involved? Let’s find out.
International laws on travel health insurance A lot of countries allow travelers to visit without necessitating they buy a travel insurance plan that covers health or medical issues. Even the United States of America allow tourists in onto their soil without having purchased coverage for possible health problems. Others like the countries in Schengen Area—a total 26 European states that have a standard visa policy require travelers to provide proof of active health insurance cover before gaining permission of admittance. The tourist’s travel insurance plan must contain a minimum medical cover of Euro 30,000 and include coverage for medical repatriation or evaluation. There’s no international consensus in this regard, with different countries asking for the fulfillment of different requirements from the foreign tourist. What makes travel health insurance important for tourists? While whether you need to purchase coverage for health issues that may come into play while traveling primarily depends on the laws of the country you plan on visiting, there are specific factors that make it a smart, virtually necessary investment:
If you think the cost of medical treatment in India is expensive, think again! In countries like the United States of America, both the standard and price of medical treatment are way steeper. Casual tourists traveling without covering for medical expenses might find themselves in a fix if they happen to require medical assistance in one of these countries. Even if they do happen to be carrying sufficient money to pay for treatment, the expenditure is bound to be on the higher side. Having insured against such situations, therefore, is always a good idea. A lot of travel health insurance plans provide coverage for both pre-existing health issues as well as for sudden illness and accidents. A lot of plans include cover for temporary or permanent disability, pre and post hospitalization, and ensure that even the ambulance charges are reimbursed to the insured individual. Considering how much you can actually end you paying in case of a medical emergency on foreign soil and how much you can save directly by getting insured, the question of whether or not you should buy travel health insurance is a no-brainer!
Where we’ve grown accustomed to getting essential drugs over the counter from local chemists, it’s no longer an option when you’re in another country. You’ll find it impossible to procure a majority of drugs over the counter and might require a medical consultation for the most trivial of health issues. The cost of consulting a physician, again, can leave you with a big hole in your wallet. Having a travel insurance plan that covers your medical expenses comes in real handy in such situations.
Critical accidents and emergencies that require immediate medical help, hospitalization or surgeries are hard to deal with in your own neighborhood. Imagine being faced with such a situation in a foreign country! Many travel insurance companies have tie-ins with medical facilities in the foreign countries. In case of an emergency, information and prompt action are the most prominent factors that determine whether the victim/victims survive or perish. Having a list of nearby medical facilities and being able to receive medical aid without delay or hassles can actually save lives. Emergency medical care, surgeries, and hospitalization can be extremely pricey in some countries, so it’s always advisable to get insured against such occurrences. If you’ve traveled abroad in the past without a travel health insurance cover and had the good fortune of not facing any health problems, you might not have missed it. But pushing your luck where your health is concerned is not a very wise move. Investing in a good travel insurance plan that covers both you and your beloved travel companions against medical complications and accidents is a simple enough process that can safeguard against undue distress and financial losses. It’ll also ease your mind, allowing you to thoroughly enjoy the experience of discovering new places, people, and cultures! For more updates and News visit Policybazaar Twitter Page
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorInsurance and financial manager. Archives
May 2018
Categories |