Round the clock room service, clean accommodation, but it’s a tourist’s nightmare. You’re not in a hotel, you’re in a hospital, you’ve had the misfortune of getting sick in the middle of what should have been a dream vacation. And the worst part is that you will spend more on health care than on an actual tour.
Travelers often think that travel insurance is just a waste of money – it’s an expense for something they probably won’t use anyway. The aforementioned insurance can be a tough decision. To help you come to the right decision you should ask yourself the following questions:
What does your current insurance cover? If you already have good comprehensive insurance, you may not need any other insurance. Some policies cover treatment given anywhere in the world.
What are the limitations of the proposed plan? Try to find out the terms and conditions offered by the plan as well as the conditions for coverage. You don’t want to be blindsided when you get to use the plan.
Where is your travel destination? Research the places you will visit. Does the environment pose more health risks?
Are you the type who often visits the doctor? Determine how many times you visited a doctor or the hospital in the past few months. People who worry too much about their health are better off getting health insurance.
Do you often get sick? If you’re the type that gets bugs easily, insurance is the best option.
How much does insurance cost? Ultimately, you need to consider how much you will spend. If you already pay for health care, paying for one while you travel should be another incidental expense for you.
What are the plan limits you are considering? Do you want no road costs, or do you want to take your chances with a high deductible? Will your policy provide coverage for an ER visit if you cut yourself in your Sydney hostel kitchen? What about emergency evacuation? Will you end up in a place with good health care or should you expect to be sent abroad in case of serious injury or treatment?
Travel insurance, although often overlooked as unnecessary, can be well worth the small expense when you find yourself at the mercy of overseas health care and the environmental hazards of foreign countries.