subject: Medical Insurance For Travelers [print this page] If you travel long enough it is inevitable that you will get sick or have an accident at some point and need medical care. What you will do in that circumstance is hard to predict as there are so many possible scenarios. It is tempting to figure you'll deal with it when it comes and forget about it. But there is something you can do now to prepare for that day - buy medical insurance.
For most travelers who are reasonably healthy, you can look at insurance as asset protection more than anything else. If something big were to happen, you could be in the poor house for the rest of your lives as you try to pay for an air ambulance or a major medical procedure. The risk simply isn't worth the few dollars you may save.
There are many insurance companies who provide travel insurance. Be sure to read the fine print to see what is and is not covered on your policy. There are typically a variety of plans to meet your needs - some will cover care in certain countries but not others, they come with varying amounts of deductible, etc.
We looked around quite a bit for an insurance plan and finally ended up with a high-deductible plan from IMG. We were unable to get the policy until the date we planned to leave the USA and have to be out of the country for at least six months every year. We have a high deductible, but will be covered when we go back home for a visit.
We look at the insurance as exactly that - insurance. We don't use it on a regular basis - we've opted for the $5000 deductible so have never had the opportunity to use it. All the small stuff we'll pay for out of our own pocket - but in most parts of the world health care is quite reasonably priced. It would take a major accident to rack up a bill of more than $5000.
Although most procedures are reasonably priced in most countries, an air ambulance could easily set you back up to $100,000. In other words, one fluke accident or medical situation could place you in the poor house for the rest of your life if you don't have insurance. Pure and simple - the risk simply isn't worth it.
by: Nancy Sathre-Vogel
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