WHAT ARE THE MEDICAL EMERGENCIES EXCLUDED IN TRAVEL HEALTH INSURANCE
June 27, 2009 9:23 pm Traveling TipsTraveling abroad is always a great experience. But can the excitement be similar if you or any of your family members falls sick or gets injured while traveling? Imagine what would happen if you discover that your general travel insurance online does not cover international emergencies. Isn’t it horrifying?
Most travelers believe that their traditional medical insurance offers adequate coverage even while they are overseas. But the fact is that only travel health insurance are designed for international travel. All insurance policies have exclusions and travel insurance online is no different. However, it is imperative to be well informed in the clearest possible way about what you are and aren’t covered for.
Pre-existing medical conditions tops the list of exclusions. Pre-existing conditions include pregnancy or difficulties related to the same, any ongoing medical or dental condition, any condition for which you take medicines or any surgical conditions. Besides, mental disorder, anxiety or depression, traveling against the advice of the medical doctor is not covered by travel insurance online in any circumstances.
Other exclusions include medical tourism. Your travel insurance online may not cover expenses incurred while receiving a particular medical treatment overseas. Hence, travel insurance online may not be helpful in case you plan to go abroad for cosmetic surgery or for the purpose of obtaining treatment suggested by the doctor.
There are some extreme events and situations which are excluded by travel insurance policies when you are abroad. These include losses incurred due to war or war-like situations, biological attacks, nuclear terrorism, natural disasters or epidemics. These kinds of exclusions are commonly found in almost all travel insurance online policies.
Additionally, even high risk sports do not qualify under travel insurance online. Sports involving bodily contact such as mountaineering, skydiving, skiing, caving, riding in races, bungee jumping, parachuting, etc are excluded from the clauses of travelers medical insurance. Some policies offer coverage for these hazardous sports, if an additional rider is bought by paying extra premium.
Other exclusions relate to loss of passport, fraud and deceit of your travel agent, any other losses arising due to irresponsibility of the insured person, attempt to suicide, alcohol/drug misuse, and the loss of checked in baggage or its valuables,.
Having travel insurance online is always the best deal. However, travel insurance online given by various travel insurance companies diverge in the additional cover offered. Thus, it is advisable to compare different travel insurance online plans online and read the policy wording before choosing one for you. Remember, genuine claims, as well as new injuries and sickness are covered after an investigation by claims department.