Embarking on Your Dream Vacation
Are your Plans Complete?
Your bags are packed, passport and papers in order and you couldn’t
be in a higher state of excitement preparing for travel to that
wonderful, exotic location. This is the vacation you have planned
it seems forever. As you sit on the plane, you and your partner
discuss for the hundredth time the scuba diving you will do, the
awesome rock climbing and hikes into the rain forest. Everything
is perfect!
Life seldom gets better than this.
Despite all the excitement of travel, Americans do have some concerns.
According to a survey by the Chubb Group, more than 70% of Americans
surveyed said their greatest concern when traveling is suffering
a medical emergency...more than double the fear of being mugged
(30.7%), three times the fear of being injured in a terrorist
attack (23.4%).
What happens if a medical emergency arises when traveling overseas?
Many people assume that while they are out of the U.S. or Canada
they will be covered by their standard medical plan. However,
most traditional health insurance plans are not designed for international
travel.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, approximately 27
million travelers board U.S. airlines for overseas destinations
and almost 26 million foreign travelers come to the U.S. each
year. However, many are not prepared for a medical emergency abroad.
Most traditional health insurance plans would
not cover an unexpected illness or injury during international
travel. But travelers with international medical insurance would
have protection for scenarios ranging from a local ambulance trip
to an emergency evacuation for care at the nearest qualified medical
facility. Some even offer repatriation flights out of the country
where the traveler is located back to the US.
Available plans can cover individuals or groups for specific periods
of time abroad and can be in effect should they be stationed abroad
for an extended period of time. There are policies for corporations
to insure their personnel, plans to cover missionaries who are
on an outreach program and for those participating in extreme
sports. International travel medical insurance should be considered
for anyone traveling or living abroad.
©David M. Schmader, Solon, Ohio January, 2005
www.brownschmader.com
About the Author
David Schmader is an independent broker agent located in the
Cleveland Ohio suburb of Solon, Ohio. With over 25 years of
corporate finance experience he specializes in serving the individual,
professional and small business markets.
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Health, Wealth, Travel and Technology Magazine