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!