As you are hiking through the rainforest in Costa Rica, your foot catches on a liana vine, and you fall to the ground. As your ankle swells alarmingly, you manage to hobble back to the jeep and make your way to the nearby private hospital. However, when the hospital staff saw your Malaysian health insurance card, they shook their heads. It’s either cash upfront or nothing. You’ll find this happens more frequently than you think. Travel does not always go according to plan. Having travel insurance while traveling overseas is as essential as having a passport. It protects you or your family from financial hardship if things go wrong. It would help if you had health insurance no matter where you live, what you do, or who you are.
The Importance of Travel Health Insurance
If you need medical attention while traveling, travel insurance is essential. The cost of healthcare overseas can be relatively high. In most countries, you cannot get free care or subsidized care. It is your responsibility to pay the total price or your insurer’s responsibility. A basic travel insurance policy covers the following medical situations:
- Medical treatment in an emergency.
- Assistance with general medical needs.
- Helicopter or ambulance transport of patients to hospitals.
- Injury and accident reports, unless they are related to an excluded activity.
In case of an injury or death by an excluded activity, coverage may not be available. As an example, most policies cover damages related to broken bones. However, if you broke your leg while skiing and your policy excluded skiing, you will not be covered. You are unlikely to be covered by an insurer if you go to a destination where the advice level is ‘Do not travel.’
Exclusions for Health Claims
Pre-existing physical and mental health conditions are usually not part of comprehensive travel insurance policies. If you pay extra, some insurance companies will cover you. Among the most common exclusions are:
- Osteoarthritis and joint problems
- Lungs and breathing conditions
- A cancerous tumor
- Blood and circulatory conditions
- Diabetes
- Disability
- Heart condition
- Kidneys or liver diseases
- Psychiatric Disorders
- Pregnancy
- Diseases and viruses
Travel Insurance for Valuables and Baggage
If you lose your baggage or valuables, travel insurance can replace them. You may be able to get reimbursed for damaged, lost, or stolen things if you’re insured. If you need a replacement while you’re away, some insurance companies will arrange it for you. Insurance can cover the following items:
- Electronic devices. It could be anything from smartphones to computers to cameras;
- Personal items such as clothing, toiletries, and toiletries;
- Jewelry and other valuables like rings, necklaces, watches, etc.;
- Money. Usually, it is a minimal amount.
- Sporting equipment. Skis, surfboards, and hiking gear all fall into this category.
Exclusions for Baggages and Valuables
Your policy may be affected by the circumstances in which your property damage occurred. It is unlikely that you will be covered if you broke local laws at the time of the incident. It can include riding a moped without a helmet. When you are under the influence of alcohol, most insurers will not cover your property. If the incident happened while you were doing an excluded activity, your items wouldn’t be covered. For example, no insurance claim processing if your policy excludes riding motorbikes and you lose your phone while riding. In most cases, unattended baggage, even if you turned your back for just a moment, when stolen.
