Let’s talk about travel and insurance. Do you really need it, or is it just a money grab?
Well, first, let’s ask a couple of questions:
- Are you traveling internationally? (This includes cruises.)
- Are you and every person in your family young and healthy?
- Do you or any person in your family have any health issues?
- Is anyone in your traveling party middle-aged or older?
- Will you have any children traveling with you?
- Are you planning on doing any excursions while you travel?
- Are you flying to your destination or embarkation port?
If you answered yes to ANY of the above questions, then YES, you need travel insurance! And here’s why: You can be the healthiest, most able-bodied person in the world, but accidents and sudden illnesses still happen! There is no way to predict these things, and if you are traveling outside the US, your regular medical insurance generally will not cover medical treatment sought outside the US.
When the Unexpected Happens on Vacation
For example: A friend’s son fell on a beach while on a cruise and broke his leg, which would require surgery. The medical team on board advised that the ship was going to make an unscheduled stop in the Bahamas, and the family would debark to seek further medical treatment. At the hospital, they were able to get a full leg cast for their son and then fly back to the States for surgery the next day, as it was not life-threatening at the time. They had to miss the rest of their vacation, pay for the hospital visit (because in foreign countries, most hospitals require payment up front before treatment is rendered), and purchase new flights back to the States. And no, they did NOT have travel insurance!
Another friend had to visit a shipboard doctor due to a bloody nose that would not stop bleeding. After a couple of days, they had to seek treatment for nasal packing. That visit, without travel insurance, would have cost this couple $13,000. But because they did have travel insurance, they only had to pay their deductible.
In both of these cases, the families were young and healthy, but they still had incidents that required medical treatment, incurring costs in the multiple thousands. So, as you see, it doesn’t matter how old you are or what your health may be; anything can happen.
But! Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. So, what should you purchase? The answer is: it depends. There are multiple factors that come into play when purchasing travel insurance. From pack-and-go policies, supplier-offered policies, annual plans, and family plans, Magical Travel agents can help you decide the best option for you.
