When shopping for travel insurance, start by consulting an experienced insurance agent. Travel agents may try to sell you insurance, but it is better to go with an insurance agent because they are well-versed in the various types of coverage you may need while on your trip. They can also provide specialised information and deals that travel agents may not be able to.
Existing Plan
Before you even start to compare medical travel insurance for over 65 years of age, be sure to check with your existing insurance policy. Some policies may have part of travel or overseas coverage built-in, while others have no travel insurance. It is important to know before you start checking into different medical policies.
Types of Policies
Now it is time to compare travel medical insurance policies. Some companies offer package deals that not only have the medical coverage you need, but have cancellation or baggage coverage included. If this is important to you, make sure to ask while shopping around.
Another piece of information to inquire about is whether the expenses are paid directly to the hospital, or if you are reimbursed once you are back home. If the expenses are paid directly to the hospital, you may have little to no out of pocket cost while travelling. In the case that you are reimbursed, you may have a large out of pocket expense during your trip, although it will be returned by the insurance company once you submit the proper documentation.
Evacuation insurance will cover the cost of getting you back home, or to a place where more adequate medical attention is available. If for some reason you are unable to fly back home on a regular aeroplane, a medical jet may be necessary to bring you back to your home country. This alone can cost tens of thousands of pounds.
It is also important to note what the policy covers before and after the hospital. For example, the policy may not cover transport in an ambulance but it might cover treatment at the hospital. Also ask about recovery after the hospital if you are unable to care for yourself. These are important things to find out so you can be best prepared in the unlikely event a medical emergency happens while you are on vacation.
Travel medical insurance policies can range anywhere from five to twelve percent of the total trip cost. It can be more for those who are over the age of 50 or 65. Medical insurance while travelling is worth it though, as you can avoid catastrophic fees and you will have an agent on your side who can help coordinate medical care. It is important to inform the company whom you are purchasing insurance through of any pre-existing medical conditions you may have. Failing to do so may result in them not covering any of the medical bills you accumulate while travelling, even if they are not related to your pre-existing condition. Consult a knowledgeable insurance agent for the best type of policy for you.
