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International travel comes with its own set of rules. If you don’t believe that, you should see what’s written in the fine print on a US passport:
“HEALTH INSURANCE. Persons considering foreign travel should determine what health insurance coverage, if any, they require while outside the United States. Medicare does not cover health care costs outside the United States and its territories, except under limited circumstances in Canada and Mexico.”
While the passport warning is only that you should check your health insurance coverage before departing for a foreign country, the same wording could just as easily apply to every area of insurance coverage. International travel insurance will protect you not only in the event of an illness or injury, but also in the case of a tour or cruise operator bankruptcy; lost or stolen valuables; natural disasters which can leave you without a place to stay; and political unrest or terrorist attacks which make your international travel impossible.
While you’re anticipating having the time of your life exploring exciting new cities, sampling marvelous new cuisine, shopping in some of the Worlds great fashion centers, or doing all of the things which make international travel so appealing, you might be in denial about the risks associated with international travel. You are no less at risk for accidents and illnesses or natural catastrophes while you’re abroad than you are at home.
Because you’re abroad, however, you’ll no longer have the option of family, friends, or your local healthcare provider nearby to come to the rescue if you need emergency funds, a place to stay, medicine, or first aid. Having international travel insurance will make the answer to the question “Who ya gonna call?” as simple as looking at the number for your insurance company’s helpline on the policy you are carrying with you. Having international travel insurance will ensure that you have care, shelter, transportation, and food while you’re away, and that you can return home safely.
It’s quite simple to tailor your travel insurance coverage for your specific travel needs. If you attend a backpacking vacation through the Canadian Rockies, you’ll need coverage different from what you might require if you’re going to vacation at the Egyptian pyramids. There are international travel insurance policies for cruise vacations, and for travelers who will be flying. There are those which cover only a single trip, and those which will cover multiple trips during a 12 month period.
You’ll make it much easier to find international travel insurance if you first list exactly what your requirements are. You can then go online and use any of the major search engines to find links to websites of companies offering insurance coverage, and by keying in some basic personal information along with your coverage requirements, you’ll be able to get quotes for comparison.
Price is not the only factor which should determine your choice of international travel insurance coverage. You should study each policy carefully to find out exactly what is excluded in the fine print. Some policies, for example, will not cover a trip cancellation due to a flight or cruise delay unless it occurs early enough so that at least 50% of the trip will be put on hold. If you, for instance, want to cancel the remainder of a 21-day international cruise because your ship has pulled into port for two weeks worth of repairs on the 15th day of the trip, you could be out of luck as far as being reimbursed.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry when you’re in a strange country, and as long as you understand the terms of your international travel insurance, having it will give you the peace of mind to concentrate on enjoying your surroundings!
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