Considering Travel Insurance? Okanagan, B.C. Man Loses Kidney In Costa Rica Hospital!

Considering Travel Insurance? Okanagan, B.C. Man Loses Kidney In Costa Rica Hospital!
Word Count:
951
Summary:
For all the future travelers that have the opportunity to read this story, I would hope that after you finish this article, you would highly consider Travel Insurance!

Keywords:
travel insurance, travel, insurance, trip, policy, medical, online, services, emergency, health, accident, protection, insurance policy, travel medical

Article Body:
For all the future travelers that have the opportunity to read this story, I would hope that after you finish this article, you would highly consider Travel Insurance!
As a former travel Agent, when I read sad stories about travelers that have bad medical experiences abroad, it starts to make my stomach turn because I would quickly check all my client files to make sure they have all purchased some form of medical and/or cancellation policies from me prior to their travel.
However, when he awoke in the Costa Rica hospital where he had admitted himself, he quickly found out that his kidney was removed! This young man’s jaw was never fixed and the medical doctor in Costa Rica claimed several of his internal organs were damaged, and out of all the organs that were injured, they had to remove one of his kidneys. Makes you go Hmmm!
Now in my professional opinion, I would classify Costa Rica as a popular destination that I would recommend to many of my past clients to visit for their ecotourism and exotic vacation appeal. The problem is that when we suggest these destinations that are glorified as paradises, we sometimes forget to tell them that these vacation destinations don’t have medical facilities that are comparable to North American standards, and also not all facilities operate in the best faith.
All the facts about this incident are not proven yet, but the truth of the matter is in this incident, having the proper travel medical insurance coverage could have been the difference in this gentleman coming home safely with a fixed jaw and his kidney intact.
<b>How Does Medical Travel Protection Policies Eliminate Situations Like This, You Ask?</b>
Keep this in perspective due to the nature of the incident. The facts are still coming in about this mans occurrence Costa Rican hospital, and I’m not totally certain he did not have travel coverage, but in my professional opinion, if he did have a reputable comprehensive travel medical policy, I truly believe this situation would not have happened.
Here is my explanation that you can apply to having quality medical coverage. When you visit your travel agent, or decide to book your vacation online, many of the agencies and online companies will offer you an insurance policy that is designed specifically for your travel protection while away from your originating country. Due to a large percentage of your medical costs that may not be covered by the country you live in, travel medical emergency policies are there to protect you from the additional costs that your country will not be covering.
Let’s take this one step further. While you’re away on vacation, the Travel Medical/Cancellation Company you purchased your policy from now has a vested interest in your physical and financial protection. However, they also have a reputation and a financial interest in their company! By saying this, they must make sure that claims that are paid out are legitimate, and are not abused by many of the un-regulated foreign medical facilities that treat patients for emergency situations.
To control these illegal practices, most, if not all, travel insurance providers (including online Insurance companies) establish worldwide relationships with a great number of medical facilities in the tourist areas, and in this relationship, the selected Travel Insurance Company regulates them with very strict rules and guidelines.
This is why it’s important to read the policy terms and conditions, and understand what is required as the policyholders must follow these terms for their own protection under emergency situations. What many conditions state are that the people who get injured due to an unexpected situation, must contact the insurer prior to admitting themselves to a hospital, or a large percentage of their claim may not be paid.
Now I know many of you may be saying that if you were not conscious at the time you were admitted to a hospital, that’s beyond your control, and you’re right! However, upon becoming aware, you must at your earliest opportunity advise the Insurance Company where you are, and if it’s not a regulated hospital on their list, they will make arrangements to remove you to their preferred medical facility.
<b>Why Does A Travel Insurance Company Go To All This Trouble? </b>
This is where we continue from the story about the young man that had his kidney removed. Again, I’m going by my own opinion and no one else, and like I mentioned prior I don’t have all the facts, but in my profession I strongly believe that if this person had coverage with a reputable Travel Insurance Company, he would have more than likely contacted their toll free worldwide number, and talked to professional staff that are trained in the medical field.
He would have been directed to the correct hospital, and when he arrived, upon the instructions of the Insurance staff, he would have passed this information on to the medical staff at the Costa Rican hospital. This does one of two things, it gives the Insurance Company the power to regulate and make sure that only the necessary surgeries are taking place, and because they’re paying the bill, they will ensure that every situation is medically documented for any future liability.
I can’t guarantee that having the medical coverage would have avoided this situation, but I have to say when you eliminate all the risks by working with the Medical Insurance provider, you have a better opportunity in walking out of that foreign hospital with the peace-of-mind that you’re not going back home without all your valuable functioning organs.

A Guide to Buying and Using Travel Insurance

A Guide to Buying and Using Travel Insurance
Word Count:
1299
Summary:
Learn from my mistakes!  Find out why travel insurance is necessary; where you can get appropriate, but affordable coverage; what to consider; and what you should do with it.

Keywords:
travel insurance,cheap travel insurance,travel health insurance, travel medical insurance,coverage,online travel insurance,travel insurance company,multi-trip travel insurance,medical evacuation

Article Body:
<b>Is Travel Insurance Really Necessary?</b>
Travel is already expensive enough, isn't it? The cost of air fare, cruises, hotels, ground transportation, food and activities and entertainment are already high enough.  I don't know about you, but I work hard for my money, and when I travel, I want to keep as much of my money in MY pocket as possible.   Is travel insurance a necessity or a luxury?  Why not cut a few corners here and there. Why buy something if it’s not really needed?
My personal answer is, of course, that I am not independently wealthy and can’t withstand the potential financial losses if I require medical care while I’m traveling.  Not being independently wealthy also means that I'm in the market for adequate but cheap travel insurance. I suspect that you are in the same position, so you, too need cheap travel insurance.  If you’re still not sure about that, consider the following.
Did you know that if you get sick or are injured while traveling abroad, your medical plan may not cover all the expenses you will incur? If the costs of treatment are higher than the maximums of your medical plan, you will be responsible for the difference, unless you have already purchased travel insurance.  In fact, you may not even be admitted into hospitals in some countries without proof that you have health or medical insurance.
This is true for everyone, regardless of age or length of time abroad. Suppose you fall ill just a few hours after arriving at your destination. Or suppose you make a day-trip to another country, and you are injured in a traffic accident. Or suppose one of your children is part of a group making a class visit abroad, gets food poisoning and requires hospitalization. In all cases, without adequate travel health insurance, you will be responsible for the costs above and beyond the limitations of your existing medical plan.
Therefore, before going abroad, you need to make sure that you are adequately covered by travel medical insurance that won't break your budget.  You should check to see if appropriate coverage is already available to you through your medical plan, employee benefits, or even through a credit card.  If the coverage is sufficient for your needs, then you can enjoy your trip without incurring the extra expense of travel insurance. However, if you are not sure of your coverage, or if your coverage is inadequate or non-existent, then your next step should be to research and purchase the travel insurance coverage you need.
<b>How Much Can You Expect To Pay?</b>
When I bought my first plane ticket to China a few years ago it cost around $2000 round-trip, and my travel insurance cost me over $500 because I didn't shop around for cheap travel insurance online.  
A few years later, a little bit older and wiser, and my travel insurance for another trip to China cost me much less--about $300 for roughly the same coverage. The difference? Before buying my travel insurance for the second trip, I shopped around online and got the coverage I needed, at the right price.  If I'd have purchased my travel insurance for this latest trip from my travel agent, it would've cost me about $600 for the trip, and my plane tickets only cost $1,500!  Not exactly the smart way to go.
So how much will it cost you? Not as much money as it will cost you if you get sick or injured abroad and you don't have any travel insurance coverage! That's the obvious answer to the question.
In fact, how much travel insurance costs will depend on your age and the type of coverage you choose. Basic policies cost as little as $5.50 USD per $1000 of coverage. On the other hand, you can expect a full coverage policy to cost you from 7 to 10% of the cost of your trip, depending on your age. The older you are, the more you will pay. No matter what the cost of the policy, however, it's sure to be much less than the cost of medical evacuation!
The good news is that you can easily, conveniently and quickly research and locate excellent but cheap online travel insurance and reduce the costs while making an informed purchase.  This is much better than taking what you are offered at the travel agency because you can choose from hundreds of travel insurance companies and polices and save yourself a lot of money in the process.  One place you can start your search is at <b>Travel Insurance Central</b>, http://www.travel-insurance-central.com/
<b>What You Should Consider When Buying Travel Insurance</b>
To assist you in your research, here are some suggestions to help you make an informed purchase.
<b>1.  Consider the worst-case scenario. </b> If you can financially withstand the worst-case scenario then maybe you don't need travel insurance or maybe you don't need a comprehensive policy.
<b>2.  Make sure the policy you are considering provides adequate medical/dental coverage, including medical evacuation coverage</b> just in case you need medical care in a place where the best treatment available is below the standards you are accustomed to in your country.  This can happen if you fall ill in a developing country or even on a cruise ship.
<b>3.  Check your existing insurance policies for possible coverage.</b>  There is no sense in paying more for what you already have in your homeowner or tenant policy, such as theft and loss coverage.
<b>4.  If you are a frequent traveler, you should consider annual or year-round travel insurance policies.</b>  Sometimes they are called multi-trip travel insurance policies. Whatever the name, these policies can be relatively cheap when compared to single-trip travel insurance policies.
<b>5.  Know what you are buying, so read the fine print.</b> Make sure that you understand what the company considers to be a legitimate reason for cancellation or interruption.  If the list is too restrictive, maybe you should consider another policy.
<b>6.  Don't restrict yourself to buying only from your travel agent.</b>  He/She will probably only have one company’s product(s) available, and it's there for your convenience, but that convenience can be quite costly!
<b>7.  Ask lots of questions about the coverage.</b>  Play the "what if" game. Ask for clear explanations of terminology.  Make sure that you and the travel insurance company are speaking the same language.
<b>8.  Don't buy the insurance through your transportation provider.</b>  If the airline goes bankrupt, how adequate will your insurance coverage be?
<b>Once You’ve Bought Your Travel Insurance</b>
Remember that your travel insurance policy covers you between certain specific dates, so don’t start your trip early or extend your trip without first changing the dates of coverage on your travel insurance policy. Of course, this might cost you extra, but that's cheaper than finding yourself without coverage when you need it the most.
Also, it almost goes without saying that you should bring your travel insurance policy with you when you go abroad.  You can't consult the policy if it's sitting on your desk at home.  You should also carry your travel insurance company's toll-free assistance phone number and other contact information with you wherever you go.  It does you no good if you get ill or hurt and the necessary policy information is sitting in your hotel room.  It’s also a good idea to bring your regular medical coverage cards and info with you.
I hope these tips will help you by the best travel insurance for you.  Then take your trip with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are insured by the right travel insurance policy at the right price.  <b>Bon voyage!</b>