Do You Need Travel Insurance?

Traveling to another country for an extended period can be an exciting adventure, but it’s important to consider all aspects of planning, including the necessity of travel insurance. Travel insurance is a specialized type of coverage designed to protect travelers from unexpected events and emergencies while away from home. Whether or not you need travel insurance for your extended stay in another country depends on various factors related to your health, itinerary, and the potential risks involved.

What is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of insurance policy that covers various risks associated with traveling. It typically includes different components such as:

1. Trip Cancellation/Interruption: This covers non-refundable trip costs in case you have to cancel or cut short your trip due to covered reasons like illness, injury, or certain unforeseen circumstances.
2. Medical Coverage: This type of travel insurance covers medical expenses incurred due to illness or injury during your trip, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and medications. It’s especially crucial for travelers going abroad where healthcare costs can be high. Check your policy carefully to determine how it would cover (or not) medical expenses or hospitalizations related to pre-existing conditions that may flare up or require attention while abroad.
3. Emergency Medical Evacuation/Repatriation: This covers the cost of emergency transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility or, if necessary, back to your home country in case of a serious medical emergency. This type of coverage is often desired by travelers on cruise ships or those staying in very remote locations where it is difficult (and costly) to obtain prompt transportation to a hospital.
4. Baggage and Personal Belongings: Of all the types of travel insurance, this may be the least priority but can be critical for keeping you and your family comfortable and relaxed after a loss or theft. This insurance reimburses lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and personal items during your trip.
5. Travel Delay/Interruption: Traveling is at the mercy of many variables outside your control. This travel insurance covers additional expenses incurred due to travel delays or interruptions caused by reasons such as weather, strikes, or mechanical breakdowns.

Do you need travel insurance?

As with any type of insurance, you should carefully evaluate your situation to assess if you should purchase travel insurance and, if so, how much you need. Here are several factors to consider:

1. Healthcare Coverage: Check if your regular health insurance covers you overseas. Many domestic health plans do not cover international medical expenses, making travel insurance essential. If your plan does provide international coverage, you should determine how much it will cover, what the process entails, and whether or not your pre-existing conditions are included.
2. Risk Assessment: Consider the level of risk associated with your destination. Are you traveling to a remote area with limited medical facilities? Are you engaging in activities like adventure sports that carry higher risks? Also, consider the costs of local medical services. Your travel agency may be able to provide you with information about the average costs of emergency services in the country you’ll be visiting.
3. Length of Stay: The longer you stay abroad, the higher the likelihood of encountering unforeseen events. Extended stays increase the importance of having comprehensive coverage.
4. Value of Assets: Evaluate the value of your trip investment, including non-refundable costs like flights and accommodations. Travel insurance can protect these investments in case of trip interruptions or cancellations. Make sure you read the fine print to determine what types of changes are covered. For example, some may cover weather conditions, but not health emergencies. Others may include cancellations made by you or the airline “for any reason.”
5. Peace of Mind: Travel insurance provides peace of mind knowing that you’re financially protected against unexpected emergencies and disruptions during your extended stay. If you worry about financial losses due to unforeseen events, purchasing travel insurance may make your trip more relaxed and allow you to enjoy your adventure more completely.

How else should you prepare for an extended stay abroad?

If you’re planning on spending an extended amount of time in a foreign country, it may be a good idea to bring along copies of official documents including translated versions in the language of the country. For example, having a translated version of your birth certificate may be extremely valuable if you need to have surgery overseas.

At The Perfect Translation, we provide accurate, legal translations of documents for various purposes. From international travel to purchasing real estate abroad, our legal experts will ensure you have translated documents to make your experience the best it can be. Contact us today for a free quote. We’ll make sure your adventure starts on the right foot!