Whether your idea of a vacation is lying on a beach, hiking in the mountains, or touring art galleries, you need to get travel medical insurance. But what kind should you get? There are so many factors to consider based on your mode of travel, planned activities, your destination, and your health.
Do you have questions? If not, we have some suggestions.
If you are an employee with an Employer provided Benefit Plan that includes Emergency Medical Travel Insurance, make sure you know what’s covered and what’s not before you go! By the way, this applies to your provincial health care plan too. It does not cover all your medical costs within your province, and most certainly not all of them when you are in a different province or country. Do your research.
If you are purchasing a policy, know the questions to ask regarding the coverage before you sign on the dotted line. Here are a few:
- How long has your company been in business? Newer companies might not have the range of services that you need or the experience in handling those kinds of claims.
- Can your coverage address my medical condition? If you are 50+, you might have multiple medical conditions, Ask the broker about any of your conditions that have changed recently to make sure they are covered by the plan.
- Does the plan cover the “fun” part of my vacation? If your vacation plan includes zip-lining, snorkeling, or hiking mountains, make sure you are covered for emergency ambulance transportation, and possibly “remote location” coverage too.
- If I have a claim, what do I do? You want to be prepared for the possibility that you actually need to use your travel medical insurance. Make sure you ask about how the claim process works, who to call, and who will provide you with help on and off the phone.
- Can I extend or modify the insurance while travelling? If for some reason you need to come home from your trip early or stay longer, does your plan give you the flexibility of changing the number of days of coverage?
- Do I need approval before seeking medical treatment? If you require surgery or some other major medical treatment, will your plan cover it? Find out what is excluded.
- Is the cost of the insurance competitive? From the “You get what you pay for…” file, don’t go for the cheapest policy you can find. In an emergency, you don’t want to have buyer’s remorse when you discover your policy doesn’t cover all your expenses. This may put your medical and your financial well-being at risk.
Ask all the questions you need to ask before you buy your travel medical insurance.
At Health Risk Services, we can advise you in choosing the travel insurance plans that cover you and your family members for your adventure in another province, or another country. We are thorough in asking questions about your medical health as well as your planned activities and locations so we can determine the risks and potential difficulties you might encounter. Depending on your trip, you can obtain travel insurance for a range of risks including flight delays or cancellations, lost baggage, and medical care, if you require it while you are away from home. Before you pack your suitcases, give Health Risk Services a call and we will help you get the travel & medical insurance coverage you need.
To schedule your Complimentary Consultation with Health Risk Services, please call 403-236-9430 OR email: [email protected]
