There are many types of insurance that people can buy to protect themselves from a wide variety of issues. One that has recently begun to enjoy a boost in popularity is travel insurance, which can be a very important precaution for travelers to take, especially if they have pre-existing health issues. Let’s take a look at three major benefits that travel insurance can provide in these potential health situations and cases.
1- Potential Hospitalizations
Traveling can be a lot of fun and a big part of that is the unknown. We don’t always know what we’ll do when we get there or what the experience will be like, which can be very exciting. Unfortunately, we also can’t always predict when our health issues will flare up, especially in a new climate full of environmental factors that our bodies might not be used to.
However, traveler’s insurance will help with medical costs (depending on which country you’re in) and in some cases can even reimburse you for the cost of changing airline tickets or unused hotel rooms if you end up getting delayed while in hospital.
2- Emergency Extractions
Even if you are in a country that has socialized medicine and therefore free healthcare that applies to even non-citizens, you may need to be taken in an ambulance or even an airplane or a helicopter to a local medical facility. These expenses will likely be out-of-pocket unless you have traveler’s insurance.
This is especially important if you’re planning on hiking, camping, or traveling between cities. Although it isn’t likely, there is always a chance that something could happen that requires medical treatment at a hospital. No one expects an emergency to happen but it’s always good to be covered just in case.
3- Coverage Includes Cancellations
Imagine that you’ve spent weeks, months, or even years planning your dream vacation. You want this to be the best trip you’ve ever had and you’ve spared no expense. You’ve spent thousands of dollars on airfare, hotel rooms, a cruise, and so much more. All of these expenses are non-refundable but you’ve spent so long dreaming of this vacation and planning every detail, so you’d have no reason to change your plans.
However, the day before your plane is set to leave or your cruise ship is supposed to head out, your pre-existing health condition flares up. You go to the hospital and your doctor tells you that you aren’t cleared to travel because you need to spend two weeks resting and recovering at home. Without travel insurance, all of that planning and saving would be lost. With travel insurance, the reimbursements will allow you to rebook once you’ve received your doctor’s authorization to travel.
These are just a few of the ways that people with health issues can benefit from purchasing travel insurance before their next trip, whether it’s for business or pleasure. Although no one hopes they have to use it, it’s always a good idea for people who suffer from medical concerns to invest in traveler’s insurance just in case.