Reasons You Will Require Travel Insurance
I have been fortunate growing up in Canada. We have a clean country, with much unspoiled wilderness. I have never had to pay to receive medical attention, and never thought that I would. What I didn’t know is that my great health care system would not cover any medical expenses I occurred while out of country. Not being aware of this, when the opportunity came up to spend spring break in Florida, I was only worried about sunscreen and condoms. I didn’t even know that there was such a thing as travel insurance.
Several alcohol fueled days later, I awoke in a hospital room. I thought that I was in agony when I woke up. I had a cast on my left leg, hurt everywhere and discovered when I tried to sit up that several of my ribs had been broken. From what I have managed to piece together from my friends, I had a pretty bad parasailing accident and had had to be rushed to emergency. I was bummed out about my trip being ruined, but when I got home things got much worse. I took my hospital bill from America into a government office and tried to get them to pay. No, we’re sorry, but since you received out-of-county care we are not responsible for these costs. What! Where was I, a starving college kid going to come up with $15, 000?
I have lived and learned, and if I ever pay off my debt enough to be able to travel again I will make sure I get insurance to protect against accidents. I hope that after reading this article you will think carefully about leaving the country without any coverage.
Before you think that you can’t afford insurance you should know that a very basic single-trip plan can cost as little as $40. Can you really afford to NOT have insurance? Forty dollars upfront that you may or may not use, is a lot easier to swallow than a few thousand or tens of thousands later on.
A basic plan may be fine if you are taking a guided tour of a foreign land, but if you are planning on going on an adventure expedition you may not be fully safe-guarded. It is therefore, very important to make a list of all the things you THINK you might do while on vacation. This way you can custom tailor a plan that will protect you should something go wrong.
I know it’s a drag, but take the time to read the fine print on your insurance policy. This is a contract that you are signing, and it was designed to protect the insurance company, not you. Make sure that you fully understand what your responsibilities and liabilities are. Do not sign until all of your questions have been answered and you are comfortable.
Other than medical costs, you will want to be covered against loss/theft of items. This will protect you if the airline loses your luggage or against been pick pocketed in the streets of Rome. A lot of people seem to neglect this, but think about how you’re going to get home if you lose your ticket or pass port. What will you do if you have no money and your credit cards are in the hands of a thief?
I sincerely wish that no one goes through the nightmare I did, but if it does happen to you be as prepared as you can be. Remember, that it is better to have protection and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Tags: Finance, financial, insurance, Money, Personal Finance, travel, travel insurance, Traveling
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