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When Travel Medical Insurance is Not Enough
We already know that having medical insurance in our home country doesn't mean we get much help abroad. At most, the emergency care is covered but in some cases even that is questionable. So that's where the travel medical insurance comes in: to pay the hospital bills, the medical evacuation, and many more.
But even travel medical insurance has its limitations. Let's take a look at the things we need to be extra careful about to make sure the travel medical insurance pays the bills if we need it to.
The pre-existing condition
If you have any pre-existing condition, be extra careful. Some companies don't cover you at all while other companies apply restrictions. According to definition, a pre-existing condition is a medical condition associated with the insured (or a spouse) that existed before the policy took effect.
If you are under treatment or have been in the past 12 months prior to departure you need to tell the insurance company and they need to confirm in writing that they will be covering you in this case. If you have been under treatment, your condition is "controlled" so make sure the policy states that. Otherwise you might end up wanting to claim the insurance for an illness due to a pre-existing condition and you won't be able to.
Also, if your doctor recommends you not to take a trip but you still go and fall ill, you won't be able to claim your insurance. In other words, your doctor's recommendations invalidate the policy. So if this is your case and you already paid for your vacation, you can use the trip cancellation policy to get your money back.
Pay attention at the "Exclusions" as well. It may take a while to read those terms but it can make the difference between being able to use your insurance and having to pay from your own pocket.
Trip cancellation/interruption
This is another part of the policy which you should be extra careful about. Health problem, accidents and death of an immediate family member are the common causes for claims. Again, pay attention to the pre-existing conditions.
Also pay attention at the company's policy for the rescheduled flights. You might need to book it within a certain time frame. And please note that frequent-flyer-supplied flights are not insurable so in case these get canceled you cannot reschedule.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant make sure that the travel medical insurance covers any pregnancy related condition and offers nursery care for premature infants. Be careful that most policies don't include these as standard terms.
Ask your doctor for a certificate which states that you are able to fly. Most airlines allow a pregnant woman to travel until week 28. Between weeks 28 and 36, the medical certificate is a must.
Dental care
Having dental problems is just a bad as having other medical issues and they are a sure way to ruin your vacation as well. Not to mention that dental care is very expensive everywhere in the world.
Dental care is not always part of the standard policy so make sure to ask if you are covered or not.
Traveling with your children
What happens if you travel with your children and you are the one who needs medical care? Who will take care of your children meantime? Be sure to ask these questions before you sign the policy.
Hazardous sports
Be extra careful if you plan to practice hazardous sports. Motorsports are always excluded so if you plan to drive an ATV (all terrain vehicle) a standard policy won't cover you.
Other hazardous sports include: para-sailing, parachuting, bungee jumping, mountaineering, cave exploring, horseback riding and scuba diving (unless you are certified).
Also, if you plan to hike on a volcano, a standard travel medical insurance won't cover you so make sure to tell your insurer where you are going.
