What If You’re Injured Overseas?
Saturday, April 16th, 2011Injuries happen all the time. People trip, slip, and lose their balance every day. Usually they end up with a slight bruise or a sore muscle for an hour or two and move on. However, you know that sooner or later you’re going to end up with a more serious injury that requires medical attention if not major treatment. What if that injury happens when you are traveling in a foreign country? What will you do then?
You may think the odds of a serious injury are less when you’re on vacation or traveling for school or work, but you’d be wrong. In many cases the risks are actually higher. This is because foreign travel usually includes recreational activities. You head to a tropical island to go surfing and scuba diving or to remote parts of South America and Asia to hike and climb rocks. Zip lining, bungee jumping, para sailing, cross country skiing, and countless other activities increase the risk that you will be injured.
In a foreign country you face three possibilities when you’re injured and require medical care. You can pay for treatment out of your own pocket. You can be denied service because you can’t pay or you don’t have access to the hospital or clinic. Or, in a best case scenario, you can make use of the visitor health insurance that you purchased before your trip. It’s rather obvious that the last option is the best, as it will provide you with access to the treatment you need without emptying your wallet. Then you’ll be able to regroup and finish out your vacation or use the evacuation provision of the policy to get you back home for further treatment.