I am going to make a different assumption from Julie on this and go with a travel MEDICAL insurance plan vs. auto.
Travel medical insurance is designed to supplement your major medical or Medicare plan when you travel outside the United States. Most major medical plans have worldwide coverage but there are some expenses that are not covered by major medical. These would include med evac, translation of medical records and return of mortal remains.
Some Medicare Advantage plans have out of country coverage but if you have original Medicare your out of country coverage is limited. It would be wise to purchase an international travel medical plan.
Business Development Officer, T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, Fresno, California
To determine the value of a travel insurance policy review the coverage that you currently have. Some people have coverage that extends to the locality where they live, or the state in which they reside. Coverage outside of that specified area can be highly limited. The issue becomes more severe with most plans when you travel overseas. If your current coverage is inadequate to cover potential difficulties secure a travel insurance policy. Personally, I travel overseas frequently and never purchase travel insurance.
There are many types of travel insurance plans from trip interruption due to an illness or emergency to medical or accidental death while traveling. Like any insurance policy it is a transference of risk. If you are taking a $10,000 family vacation and $8,000 is already paid as non refundable and if you had an emergency and had to cancel last minute and you would not miss the $8,000, don't buy insurance.
However, if you or a family member were to become ill or injured in a foreign country, could you pay the tens of thousands of dollars it may cost for stabilization care and emergency medical transport. Most people could not. The cost of travel insurance for medical care and emergency evacuation or medical transport back home to the US is almost nothing compared to the risk of cost. My answer would be yes every time.
.JPG){kind=avatar}
Travel medical insurance is designed to supplement your major medical or Medicare plan when you travel outside the United States. Most major medical plans have worldwide coverage but there are some expenses that are not covered by major medical. These would include med evac, translation of medical records and return of mortal remains.
Some Medicare Advantage plans have out of country coverage but if you have original Medicare your out of country coverage is limited. It would be wise to purchase an international travel medical plan.
However, if you or a family member were to become ill or injured in a foreign country, could you pay the tens of thousands of dollars it may cost for stabilization care and emergency medical transport. Most people could not. The cost of travel insurance for medical care and emergency evacuation or medical transport back home to the US is almost nothing compared to the risk of cost. My answer would be yes every time.