Like many Canadians, I have always taken government-funded medical care for granted. So when a bunch of us decided to go to Spring Break in Tampa a few years ago, my only concern was to buy sunscreen and condoms. Overlooking medical travel insurance was a mistake.
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?
This is why; I'll never go abroad without travel insurance again. Look after yourself, its bad enough that you've gotten hurt - do you really want to be buried in debt too?
It's not even like travel insurance is all that expensive. You can acquire a cheap plan for under $40. Just be sure that the plan is tailored to your specific needs.
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 hope that you never go through what I did, but heed my advice. Insurance can be seen as a necessary expense; pay a little upfront to not pay a lot on the back end. And remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
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?
This is why; I'll never go abroad without travel insurance again. Look after yourself, its bad enough that you've gotten hurt - do you really want to be buried in debt too?
It's not even like travel insurance is all that expensive. You can acquire a cheap plan for under $40. Just be sure that the plan is tailored to your specific needs.
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 hope that you never go through what I did, but heed my advice. Insurance can be seen as a necessary expense; pay a little upfront to not pay a lot on the back end. And remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
About the Author:
It's important to have medical travel insurance if you are leaving the states. Whether you have Medicare B or other government coverage, it's unlikely to provide coverage in a third world country.
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