Unexpected events can happen at any time, arising out of nowhere to complicate even the most meticulously scheduled travel plans. A broken bone, allergic reaction, accidental ingestion of bacteria-laden water, or other mishap can turn an idyllic, relaxing sojourn into a nightmare of hassles as you try to navigate care options in a foreign country. As experienced travelers can attest, the best way to protect yourself is by purchasing travel insurance that provides coverage for emergency medical treatment, emergency medical evacuation should the local facilities be inadequate, and other important benefits. For those who think only daredevils and adrenaline junkies need travel insurance, a quick look at the most common travel insurance claims may cause you to revise your opinion.

Slip and Fall / Sports Injury Claims

Knee sprains, strains, and tears are some of the most common travel insurance claims submitted. Knees are unfortunately fairly easy to damage, whether you are an active sports enthusiast enjoying exotic leisure pursuits or just a traveler stepping off a curb. Head injuries are also a common injury seen in slip and fall cases; while remaining alert and focused on your surroundings can help protect you from harm, something as simple as an unseen puddle of water can cause a slip that will derail your entire holiday. Without travel insurance in place, even minor injuries can become a major problem.

Cardiac Arrest / Strokes / Respiratory Claims

It is easy to overextend yourself while on vacation; even a slow-paced walking tour can cause a stroke or cardiac arrest if the weather is too warm or the elevation too high. If you do not have travel insurance, you could be facing hospital and doctor charges in the thousands of dollars in order to receive medical care. If you are in a region that has substandard medical facilities, you will need emergency medical evacuation to a facility that can provide proper treatment. Medical evacuation insurance can completely cover the cost of your evacuation, depending on the coverage options you choose.

Transportation-Related Accident Claims

Transportation accidents can strike at any time, in any country, regardless of how careful you are, because you have no control over other drivers. Transportation injuries commonly occur with every type of locomotion, including automobiles, bicycles, and scooters; even pedestrians are not safe. These claims vary greatly in severity, from minor whiplash to severe bodily harm; travel insurance covers them all.

Gastrointestinal Issues / Regional Illness Claims

Food poisoning, unclean water, parasites, and changes in diet make gastrointestinal issues one of the most common medical threats that travelers face. Regional illnesses, such as malaria, dengue fever, and exotic bug bites can make travelers so ill that they end up hospitalized for days or even weeks at a time. Without travel insurance in place, expenses for treatment can be so costly that they negatively affect your financial wellbeing as well as your physical health.

Protect your travel plans - and your finances - with a travel insurance plan from MHG Insurance Brokers. Each of our plans offers a choice of geographic area of coverage, policy deductible/excess and, in some cases, choice of coverage limit. MHG Insurance Brokers offers a variety of comprehensive coverage for travelers, including trip cancellation, extreme sports insurance, and many more plans.

Before setting off on your next adventure, call MHG Insurance Brokers at +1 954-828-1819 or +44 (0) 1624 678668 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com to obtain trip cancellation and travel insurance, along with other insurance plans that will make your trip an exciting, hassle-free experience!

You have been working really hard these past few months and are ready for your well-deserved break! Whether you are cruising in the Caribbean, scaling the Great Wall of China or relaxing on the beach in the Canary Islands, it is important to keep your health in mind and purchase a travel insurance policy. Here are some common myths about travel insurance, and the facts about the valuable coverage it provides:

Myth #1: Travel insurance is too expensive, I can’t afford it. 

The reality is, anyone who travels internationally can’t afford to be without travel insurance. Travel insurance is calculated based on age, type of coverage, the deductible/excess you select, and whether your trip includes travel to the United States, as well as the length of your trip. For example, a 35-year-old male traveling outside the US for 2 weeks, can select a travel insurance plan for as little as $10! Bottom line, there is a travel insurance plan for every trip and budget. 

Myth #2: My health insurance plan will cover me internationally. 

This is a dangerous presumption. If you are a traveling senior from the U.S., it is important to know that Medicare will not cover you outside of the United States. It’s also important to mention that many U.S. health insurance plans do not provide coverage when you are traveling outside of the country and the plans that do, may not respond as well and often require you to pay for services upfront and seek reimbursement later. Speak with your insurance agent or the insurance company to find out if your plan has international coverage before you depart on your trip. 

European Health Insurance Cardholders (EHIC) traveling within the 28 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, may be eligible for free or reduced medical care; however, what would you do if you were seriously sick or injured and had to be flown home for medical treatment? The EHIC does not cover the cost of medical repatriation and if you do not have adequate insurance, you would be responsible for paying this yourself. To ensure you have the proper coverage in place, select a travel insurance plan that includes a medical repatriation component. 

Myth #3: Travel insurance is just for emergencies. 

Not true, travel insurance is multi-faceted. Travel insurance plans not only cover you for medical emergencies, but can also provide valuable concierge services, such as pre-trip destination information, lost luggage assistance, travel document replacement, identity theft assistance and trip interruption among others. 

Myth #4: Travel insurance isn’t necessary for short trips. 

Whether it’s food poisoning, a sprained ankle or something more serious such as a stroke, unfortunately, accidents and illness can happen at any time. Whether you are away for a long weekend or several weeks, travel insurance can help mitigate these risks. 

Myth #5: I have a credit card that will cover any unforeseen medical emergencies. 

Some credit card companies offer travel insurance as a perk for their card members, but it’s not uncommon for this coverage to be limited, providing coverage for accidents only, not illness. It’s important to contact your credit card company for full details about what is included in the coverage so you can make an informed decision as to whether or not you need a separate travel insurance policy.   

No matter where your vacation or business trip takes you, it is important to have appropriate insurance coverage in place to protect you and your family. Speak with the Insurance Specialists at MHG at 954-828-1819, or +44 (0) 1624 678668 for more information and to purchase your travel insurance policy. You can also visit MHG online at mhginsurance.com. Have a safe and pleasurable trip!

You have finally picked the perfect setting for your next vacation and are about to reserve all of your itinerary details. Right before you finish booking your trip, you are asked a routine question that can make or break your journey: “Do you want to add travel insurance to your purchase?” Most people are not aware of the fact that travel insurance is one of the smartest uses of their money when it comes to a vacation or business trip. Before we get into specifics, let’s take a look at a real-world example from a client who declined the travel insurance option in the past. 

“From 2006-2009, I was flying to Europe quite often and each time I purchased a travel insurance policy. In 2008, I took a trip to Germany and for the first time decided not to purchase travel insurance. What a monumental mistake. I was walking home late one night, tripped over a curb, and tore a ligament in my right ankle. After visiting an urgent care facility, an orthopedic surgeon several times and medicine, my bill was $492 and my deductible was $500. Had I purchased my usual travel insurance policy for around $30 with a $0 deductible and $50,000 limit, I would have been out of pocket $0!” 

First, travel insurance can save you large amounts of money if you experience a medical issue while on a trip. Studies show that one out of every two travelers becomes ill during their trip and an average overseas medical bill can run between $1,500 - $2,400 dollars. Furthermore, most hospitals and physicians abroad expect payment before you can be treated. 

Other traveling mishaps that can be overcome with travel insurance include trip cancellation, lost or stolen luggage (never fun!), emergency transport and even natural disasters. Trip cancellations can happen for many reasons, and when it does, travelers lose an average of $1,186 per trip. Stolen luggage is another costly endeavor, with an average price tag of $350-$400 per bag.

If you become severely injured and need medical evacuation back to the United States, be prepared to pay a hefty price tag if you didn’t invest in travel insurance. Average transport amounts run around $30,000 per traveler. Other details you should be aware of when traveling abroad is that most U.S. based healthcare policies do not cover policyholders when overseas – this is especially true for those on Medicare or other national health services.

Considering all of the benefits of travel insurance, and coverage costing an average of 4-8 percent of your trip total, isn’t it time to talk to an experienced travel insurance broker? The knowledgeable agents at MHG can explain all of the advantages of travel insurance and tailor a policy to your specific needs. They offer a variety of advanced travel insurance plans that can help you put any travel anxieties to rest. You might have waited a long time to take this special trip – don’t let a travel mishap set you back financially. Call MHG at 954-828-1819 or visit mhginsurance.com today to book your travel insurance policy.

The arrival of winter means planning the perfect ski vacation for many people. What many people don’t realize, however, despite the hundreds of ski accidents that occur each year, is that winter sports may not be covered by their medical insurance plan. Nearly half of skiers on the slopes are not covered by vacation insurance and only 1 in 4 knows enough to ensure they are covered while skiing. 

Do you have proper insurance for your winter sport activities? 

Part of the fun of skiing and snowboarding is the element of danger involved, but you need to be certain you are protected in the event of the unexpected.  Even if you've been able to avoid an accident on the slopes, they do happen and you need to be prepared. 

You need extreme sports travel insurance, just in case you are injured, to be afforded these benefits:

Medical Expenses. These benefits cover you if you need medical care on the slopes. It will also cover care at a medical facility in any country you visit.

Emergency Medical Evacuation. These benefits will provide you with medical transportation to the nearest medical facility where adequate care can be received or back home, as necessary.

Multilingual Emergency Assistance. This service helps coordinate your emergency medical care. It will keep you, and the medical staff caring for you, in touch with your family.

You should be aware that a basic travel insurance plan may not be enough. Some providers exclude coverage for skiing and snowboarding and may require that you purchase an optional "extreme sports" rider to include winter sports insurance coverage. Also keep in mind that if you are a more adventurous skier who travels off-piste (out of marked bounds), you will want to make sure your plan includes cover for that also. Even if you are not a skier and you do not plan to hit the slopes this winter, it is important to make sure you have adequate coverage in the event of an accident or illness, regardless of the activities you may be pursing.

MHG Insurance Brokers offer a full line of individual and group insurance benefits for travelers and winter sports fans. Our wide selection of plans include medical insurance, US life and health insurance, disability income protection, life insurance, financial services, and property and liability insurance. MHG offers phone numbers from around the world so you can contact us easily and conveniently from anywhere around the world. Contact us to learn more.