Travel Insurance And Diabetes
We all know that we should get travel insurance against the loss or theft of our possessions if we are travelling abroad, but not all of us remember medical insurance to cover illness or accidents.
Considering travel insurance and diabetes is essential for a diabetic, even if just for peace of mind - One does not want to spend ones present holiday worrying about whether the medical bills if something should go wrong will preclude you from ever being able to afford another holiday!
This 'lack of remembering' is particularly prevalent in countries like the UK where you have free medical treatment via the NHS. One forgets that other countries do not offer the same services.
Make sure your travel insurance policy will also pay up for things like legal expenses, cancellation or reduction in time of your holiday due to unforeseen circumstances, loss of your passport, repatriation back to the country you came from and also personal liability.
Many travel insurance packages include medical insurance but you need to read the fine print. It can come as a rude shock, when you make a claim, to discover that, because your diabetes is a pre-existing condition, it is excluded from the policy.
The companies offering insurance all differ in their criteria so you need to be certain what you are getting - don't be afraid to ask questions and if you do not get, in writing, a policy that says it will pay for any diabetic emergency then look elsewhere.
Unfortunately you will probably have to pay a higher premium because of your disease but it is worth it - medical costs in some countries are exorbitant.
And this does not just apply to underdeveloped countries - for instance costs in the USA are higher than in Europe and people planning to travel there must be prepared to pay higher premiums. As an example I understand that it can cost as much a £1000 just to get a bone set and DON'T have a heart attach, that can set you back around £25,000!
Things to beware of:-
If buying your policy from a travel agent do not take the word of the staff member that you are adequately covered. Check for exclusions and if unsure ask to contact the company covering the policy.
Ascertain that your policy covers pre-existing medical conditions and diabetes in particular. Make sure you have that in writing! Insurance is a cut throat business and 'word of mouth' and 'gentleman's handshake' are of no use at all.
Check exactly what the policy does cover. Does it cover loss of supplies, doctor's treatment, hospitalisations and emergency transport back home? If you need to be returned to your country of origin in an emergency it could cost you thousands. For example from the USA to the UK can be as much as £35,000!!!!
If you are planning an 'extreme sport adventure' check that your policy covers these activities. There are sports that require extra cover (thus higher premiums....sigh).
These include such things as scuba diving, parachuting, hang gliding, white water rafting, and other such crazy but exhilarating activities. The cover must be for both yourself and your possessions - good sporting equipment does not come cheap!
For frequent travellers:-
There are multi-trip insurance policies that can be taken out annually. These can save you not only money but also the time and effort involved in finding the correct insurance for each trip.
For our EU or Swiss readers:-
The EU countries and Switzerland have an agreements that allows you free or reduced cost medical attention in all other countries within the European Economic Area (EEA). This includes all European Union (EU) countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Switzerland also has an agreement with the EU and thus offers the same terms.
To find out how to take advantage of this you will have to find out what documentation you will need, possibly from the Department of Health in your own country.
In the UK, which is the only place I can speak with any authority on, you used to have to get a medical certificate, E111, from either the Post office, your doctor's surgery or Department of Social Services (DSS) office before you went on holiday.
HOWEVER, from the 1-1-2006 the E111 has been superseded by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This is more convenient as it is the same size as a credit card, thus easier to cart around than the old A4 form.
You can quickest and easiest way to get this card is by applying online at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers. It will then take about 3 days for this to reach you by post.
An alternative way is to get an application form from the Post Office and apply by mail in the old fashioned way, to
EHIC Applications
PO Box 1115
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1SW.
This will, needless to say, take a little longer.
Countries in which you can use your the European Health Insurance Card are:-
Austria
Belgium
Cyprus (but not Northern Cyprus)
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The EHIC covers treatment provided by the state healthcare scheme in the country you are visiting, and these can differ widely in what they offer free. You still need private insurance. For instance the EHIC does not cover the cost of getting you back home.
Also in many countries you will have to pay the costs first and then claim a refund. As said before www.dh.gov.uk/travellers is a mine of information.
The UK Health Care Agreements
The UK also has health care agreements with some other countries (as listed below) but you need to check up on exactly what services you can get free, or at a reduced price, as they differ from country to country.
Likewise you need to know what documentation you will be required to produce to obtain such treatment.
This section of the dh.gov website will tell you all you need to know.
The countries with agreements are:-
Anguilla
Australia
Barbados
Bosnia and Herzegovina
British Virgin Islands
Bulgaria
Channel Islands
Croatia
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar
Isle of Man
Macedonia
Montenegro
Montserrat
New Zealand
Romania
Russia
St. Helena
Serbia
Turks and Caicos Islands
Former USSR (Soviet Union)