Don’t let medical ailments and emergencies dampen the holiday fun. Instead, opt for a global health insurance on every trip — here’s why!
If the pandemic has taught travellers anything, it is to refocus on health and safety while travelling — especially overseas. After all, falling sick in a foreign land can not only dampen spirits, but also burn a hole in pockets. To curb these instances, consider opting for a global health insurance on every escapade.
Debunking Global Health Insurance
What is a global health insurance?
Global health insurance provides coverages against medical emergencies when flying beyond borders. Often, such policies also provide coverage in case of planned hospitalisations — as could be the case when undertaking medical tourism. The biggest advantage, however, is that by having a global health insurance handy, frequent travellers can be assured of help during healthcare-related financial hardships whenever and wherever required. *
Why is global health insurance important?
Cost of hospitalisation
Health emergencies come unannounced. While one may take all precautions and necessary steps to avert any sicknesses, external forces like food or weather could ruin the holiday fun. In such a case, emergency hospitalisations or doctor visits can become a sad reality, in turn sending the vacation budget astray. To make matters worse, being in a foreign land could also leave one vulnerable to worrying situations regarding access to medical care. Getting such insurances can help put such stresses at bay. *
Cost of medication
Some insurance policies also factor in the costs incurred for doctor visits, medications, hospitalisations or—for extreme situations—evacuations to home countries. When dealing with health issues, such additional worries are best avoided. With a global health insurance, these added burdens can be averted. *
Cost of family visits
Certain global health insurances also provide coverage for family members—whether it is for those who accompany on the trip or others who wish to visit in case of hospitalisation. While in some cases, trip cancellation benefits come to the rescue; in others, the insurer could pay for flights or hotel accommodations for the visiting guests. *
How to choose a global health insurance?
The key to a good travel insurance is a cost-effective overseas Mediclaim policy. Ordinarily, travel medical insurances should factor in emergency health (including dental) expenses, medical evacuations, accidental death or dismemberment, and a 24-hour emergency service. Try picking an insurance that also takes into account the process of treatment as per listed daycare procedures or any surgery as an inpatient. *
It’s best to opt for cashless benefits that allow the insurance company to settle any medical bills directly with the network hospital. Should the medical services be availed at non-network hospitals, then there should be reimbursement provisions in place by the insurance company. When travelling internationally, it’s equally important to ensure that a major chunk of Global Health Care is due to daycare or in-patient hospitalisation. And lastly, hassle-free claim settlement processes are a must. With medical ailments out of the way, a good Claim Settlement Ratio facilitates added peace of mind. *
An often-forgotten checklist item is also mental healthcare. Great insurances come paired with customary and reasonable costs for in-patient treatment of mental illness as specified in the policy. Such mental health treatments can be availed at recognised psychiatric units of hospitals as per the specified sum insured. *
So, take the added safety step and get yourself a global health insurance before your next adventure, because that is the smart and right way to travel! *
* Standard T&C apply
Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms and conditions, please read sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.
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Bayar Jain
Senior Content Manager
Equipped with a degree in Sociology (Honours) from the University of Delhi, and a post graduate diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, Bayar enjoys sharing stories of people, places, and different cultures. When not typing her travel tales, you can catch the hobbyist photographer capturing the next frame, dabbling in arts and crafts, or gushing over puppers and kittens.
