Traveling abroad is always a thrilling experience. But can the excitement be similar if you or any of your family members falls sick or gets injured while traveling? Imagine what would happen if you discover that your standard travel health insurance does not cover international emergencies. Isn’t it horrifying?
Most travelers believe that their traditional medical insurance offers adequate coverage even while they are abroad. But the fact is that only travel health insurance are designed for international travel. All insurance policies have exclusions and travel health insurance is no different. However, it is imperative to be well informed in the clearest possible way about what you are and aren’t covered for.
Pre-existing medical conditions tops the list of exclusions. Pre-existing conditions include maternity or difficulties related to the same, any ongoing medical or dental condition, any condition for which you take medicines or any surgical conditions. Besides, mental disorder, anxiety or depression, traveling against the advice of the medical doctor is not covered by travel health insurance in any circumstances.
Other exclusions include medical tourism. Your travel health insurance may not cover expenses incurred while receiving a particular medical treatment abroad. Hence, travel health insurance may not be helpful in case you plan to go abroad for cosmetic surgery or for the purpose of obtaining treatment acknowledged by the doctor.
There are some extreme events and situations which are excluded by travel medical insurance policies when you are abroad. These include losses incurred due to war or war-like situations, biological attacks, nuclear terrorism, natural disasters or epidemics. These kinds of exclusions are commonly found in almost all travel health insurance policies.
Additionally, even high risk sports do not qualify under travel health insurance. Sports involving bodily contact such as mountaineering, skydiving, skiing, caving, riding in races, bungee jumping, parachuting, etc are excluded from the clauses of medical insurance for travelers. Some policies offer coverage for these risky sports, if an additional rider is bought by paying extra premium.
Other exclusions relate to loss of passport, fraud and deceit of your travel agent, any other losses arising due to irresponsibility of the insured person, attempt to suicide, alcohol/drug misuse, and the loss of checked in baggage or its valuables,.
Having travel health insurance is always the best deal. However, travel health insurance given by various travel insurance companies diverge in the additional cover offered. Thus, it is advisable to compare different travel health insurance plans online and read the policy documents before choosing one for you. Remember, genuine claims, as well as new injuries and illnesses are covered after an investigation by claims department.
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