travel insurance
Tips for choosing travel medical insurance
While it may not be the most exciting aspect of planning a vacation, ensuring proper medical coverage when travelling abroad may be one of the most important decisions you make before boarding a bus, plane, train or automobile to your destination.
A medical insurance claim can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, none of which will be covered by the provincial health care plan. Although nobody expects a trip to turn sour as a result of injury or illness, it does happen. And, if you’re not covered, you may return home with a crippling debt as well as ill health. Older travellers should be particularly careful about selecting the best medical insurance policy if they have a pre-existing condition or are more susceptible to injury or illness because of age.
Here are some important considerations for seniors when selecting travel medical insurance:
Duration
Does the policy indicate the exact number of days of coverage it provides? Review the wording to ensure there is no lapse in coverage at any point in your trip. You may also want to ensure there is an option to renew the policy while abroad, in case you extend your trip for any reason.
Evacuation
A good policy should cover medical evacuation to Canada or the nearest location with appropriate medical care. Review whether this also includes the cost for a medical escort to accompany you to and from your destination.
Pre-existing conditions
If you have a pre-existing condition, be sure to get a written agreement that it is covered or you may find your claim null and voice under a pre-existing condition clause. The agreement should include a compassion clause stating that an inaccurate statement may not invalidate the entire policy.
Exclusions
Some insurance companies may exclude coverage for mental health disorders, drug or alcohol related incidents or extreme sporting activities such as scuba diving, ziplining or rock climbing. If you plan to partake in such excursions, ask the insurance company about additional coverage.
Emergency contact
If it’s not clear, ask your insurance company whether the policy offers an in-house, worldwide, 24-hour/7-day emergency contact number in English and/or offers translation services for health care providers in your destination country.
Out-of-pocket expenses
Some insurance companies may not pay up-front for medical bills. Be sure to find out, in advance, if the policy offers immediate payment of bills or cash advances so that you’re not out-of-pocket thousands of dollars for any period of time.
Annual insurance plan
Many retirees travel several times throughout the year. If this is you, consider purchasing an annual plan that protects you for a bulk number of coverage days that you can use at any time. This conveniently covers you when you cross the border for a day trip to shop or attend a sporting event, is completely flexible and may be economical in the long run.
Keep in mind, medical mishaps can happen at any time or place. Ensure coverage even when crossing the U.S. border for a day to ensure peace of mind should a medical mishap occur. When travelling, always carry the details of your policy with you, and provide details to your travel companion or agent, as well as a relative at home on how to contact your insurer in the case of an emergency.
While nobody wants to think about falling ill or getting injured while on holidays, it is always a possibility. A good travel medical insurance policy ensures you’re well taken care of in the event that possibility becomes a certainty.