Travel Insurance: Is It Necessary?

So you want to leave the homeland for a while, see the sights, take the pictures, or perhaps, do some business.

You've packed the swimming trunks, the extra layers, the hiking boots, the sun screen, but the question remains: is your medical insurance traveling with you? What happens if you get to Brazil like you always wanted to, and then, in a freak spilled mojito accident, you break your ankle? What if the escargot from that charming Parisian restaurant reacts badly with your American digestive system, and you are suddenly in the throes of the worst food poisoning you've experienced in your life?

It is no small matter; according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one half of US travelers heading to another country will experience some sort of health problem while abroad.Ever since the Michael Moore film, "Sicko," came out, we all know that many other countries (well, specifically France, Canada, and Cuba) provide affordable, sometimes free, healthcare to their citizens, but how does it work for us, Americans, abroad?

Well, the truth is, unless you make special preparations, the outlook is not good. According to www.worldwidemedical.com, "most US insurance companies, HMOs, PPOs or Medicare [plans] do not provide adequate medical insurance." There may be exceptions, and you should look into the fine print of your plan, but every major US health insurance providers suggests getting some form of traveler's insurance. Unfortunately, there is no foreign country that provides free health care for travelers.Travel insurance plans provide three types of coverage: for medical care when abroad, the cost of emergency medical evacuation, and reimbursement for sudden trip cancellations and lost luggage.

Should you require medical attention while abroad, most insurance companies provide support in the form of emergency hotlines. They will advise you on the best hospitals in the area, as well as the ins and outs of the local systems. It is strongly advised that, if possible, you consult your provider before seeking medical attention in a foreign land. Also, insurance providers warn that most third world countries' hospital systems require payment upfront for services rendered. This fee would be reimbursed by the plan.The most pressing concern is the case of an emergency medical evacuation from a foreign country back to the US.