Should You Pack Travel Insurance?

Should You Pack Travel Insurance?

Should You Pack Travel Insurance?

Packing for a trip abroad is one of my favorite things to do – it adds to the anticipation of that departure date. But some things are less fun to pack and plan – yeah, you guessed it: travel insurance. It can be a daunting task to prepare when travelling, but one of the most important one. Apart from my passport, my #1 packing essential is always my travel insurance policy.

HERE’S WHY:

When you leave Canada or even your province of residence, your health coverage seizes and doesn’t cover you in case of a medical emergency abroad. Every traveller, tourist and adventurer should be aware and informed about being covered for emergencies abroad. As a Canadian, I am used to having most of my medical emergencies taken care of by our provincial health care coverage, however when I leave my province, that’s where my coverage ends. When you leave your home country, you shouldn’t expect it to be the same everywhere. So, do you really need to spend those extra few $ to buy that travel insurance policy?

UNDERSTANDING TRAVEL INSURANCE OPTIONS

The most important part is to understand what travel insurance really is and see if it’s a right fit for you as a traveller. As with any insurance policy, travel insurance does not cover everything. This is where travel insurance gets a bad reputation. But knowing what you are covered for by reading and understanding your policy can prevent many issues and misconceptions. And if you do decide on travelling without proper coverage, you should have the basic knowledge that you are at risk of incurring very expensive treatments and expenses shall something happen to you or to your travel plans. Many of us have travel coverage through credit cards or work benefits. But do they really cover adequately? Again, it’s all about understanding that policy and knowing what it covers. Here’s some of the most popular coverage:

CANCELLATION & INTERRUPTION

This coverage is meant to reimburse you in the event of non-refundable expenses in case of a trip delay, cancellation or interruption. However, it’s not a “coverage for everything” policy. There are multiple reasons that are covered, yet even more reasons that are NOT covered. The important part is to understand the terms & conditions and the exclusions of this travel insurance option. For example, if your pet dies suddenly before your trip, you most likely won’t be covered, unless it is specified on your policy that it is. It is also important to understand the Terms & Conditions of the tour operator, airline or accommodations that you have reserved with, as most have cancelation policies and you shouldn’t assume that you can cancel without any penalties. Even major airline delay expenses are often not covered by airlines, so what if that big snow storm prevents you from catching your next connection? Never assume that the airline is liable, they also have fine prints in their terms & conditions. Having the proper interruption package can save you from incurring extra expenses to get you on the next flight.

BAGGAGE

Oh the horror stories of lost baggage; we hear them all the time. Lost, stolen or damaged luggage and belongings can be a pain to deal with. With the proper coverage, this can be one less headache to deal with while travelling.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Nobody wants to get sick or hurt on holidays. Mishaps do happen and so do emergencies. This policy is meant to protect you shall a medical emergency happen during your trip. Don’t assume because we have pretty good emergency coverage in Canada that a simple hospital visit won’t cost you much. In some countries, you can get pretty good health care for cheap, however would you chance it? Unless you have major savings in your bank account and aren’t afraid of spending it on a medical emergency, the right policy can cost you a fraction of the price of that hospital bill. As with any insurance policy, don’t assume everything is covered. Especially if you have an existing medical condition – that most likely won’t be covered, but again it’s all about understanding your policy’s inclusions and exclusions. So what’s the chance of a medical emergency being covered? Well I’ve experienced first hand the need to use it in Mexico. I’ve always bought a travel insurance policy for every trip I took out of my country. After many years of not having to use it, it still would not cross my mind to forgoe this important part of my travel budget and plans.

HOW DID MY TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY HELP ME IN MEXICO?

During my stay in Akumal, Mexico last December, I had a medical emergency. As I was riding my bicycle in a residential condo development, the tire guard got caught in the back tire causing the bike to halt to an abrupt stop – causing me to fall off the bike and hit my head on the cobblestone road. I hit hard, didn’t loose consciousness, but it did cause an open gash. Luckily, there were security staff driving by who took me to the medical clinic on site. The Dr. examined me and recommended I go to the Hospiten in Playa del Carmen for stitches (as they are affiliated). What???? Noooo! I was just starting out my holidays….. 24hrs medical clinic The first thing I did was call Allianz Global Assistance, my travel insurance provider. P.S. I always carry my travel insurance wallet card with me – and it came in handy as I had my policy # and their 24hrs emergency contact information. They asked a few questions, I answered and they directed me to go to the recommended hospital. Again, there was a bit of paper work to be filled out by the attendant at the medical office on site, but they spoke very good English and were very accommodating of my medical needs. Just a side note, the visit alone to the medical office was $125USD. An EMS vehicle then took me to Playa del Carmen – pre-arranged by the medical clinic and the transfer cost was covered and pre-arranged to be paid by my insurance provider.  

THE HOSPITAL VISIT

Once I got to the hospital, that’s where it got a bit complicated and overwhelming. Fortunately, I was aware of my surroundings and could communicate clearly. There was some paper work to fill out before even being admitted and unfortunately, I had to pay a pretty hefty deposit for them to even admit and look at my wound. Are you ready for this? $2,500USD had to be held on my credit card for my admission. Why so expensive? The attendee on site told me that head stitches in Mexico are expensive because they had to call a specialty surgeon to perform the sutures and to make sure I didn’t have a concussion. Hum? Ok, I am not too familiar with the system, so I won’t argue, but I did call my travel insurance provider again and asked them if this was normal and if there was a way for them to pay the hospital directly. They informed me to proceed and as it ended, it was a Sunday afternoon and they explained to me that it could take up to 24hrs before the funds were directly sent to the Hospital, therefore I would have to stay for that duration until the bill was paid. Well that wasn’t happening, so I decided to go ahead and pre-pay the deposit. After being admitted, it took a little over an hour or so for the whole process at the hospital; from the examination to finishing the medical procedure. Once all was done, my final invoice came out to approx. $1,800USD. I was a bit shocked at the sticker price but I can honestly say that the facility was very clean and I received excellent medical service from the nurse and Dr. who performed my stitches. I returned 9 days later (as I was staying for 3 weeks) and the same Dr. took them out without any issues and provided me with a clearance to fly letter. I made sure to keep all my receipts, the medical statements and the accident report taken from the security staff to send in with my claim. Once I got back home, it took just over 3 weeks after sending it in the mail to get my full refund. Another tip is to keep your flight tickets. With my claim, they asked for proof of travelling to that area, so I needed to validate proof of travel (e.i. flight tickets).

WAS I GIPPED BY THE HOSPITEN IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN?

Maybe, maybe not (my Insurance provider covered the costs). I know for a fact that I could have gotten cheaper services at a Red Cross medical facility in the area, but this was my first time needing medical attention, so I didn’t take time to really think about my options, as I was in a bit of shock and in an unfamiliar territory. I followed my travel insurance provider’s advice and I can say that I received excellent service from all who I encountered on my medical emergency situation and was really glad that I had purchased that medical emergency policy that cost a fraction of the medical expenses – even if I had to pay up front. And this is where there seems to be a lot of confusion. Most people (as I did) think that all is covered and will be paid for on the spot. Not so, while some have experienced all expenses prepaid under a covered reason, I on the other hand, did not. Was it because it was a Sunday? Maybe, but what I do know is that there is a chance that your medical emergency can cost you up front and to be aware of that when you travel. Tip: bring an emergency credit card with you in the event that you do need to pre-pay for some services.

MEDICAL SERVICES CAN COST YOU ANYWHERE

And this is not just in Mexico; did you know that visitors to Canada experience the same medical expenses while they visit here? I was shocked when one of our clients from the UK had to visit our local hospital for a minor medical emergency. He was actually charged a similar amount to mine for minor medical services. While lots of stories are going around about medical fraud in Mexico, this kinda put it into perspective. Medical emergencies and services are expensive everywhere! So it doesn’t really matter which country you travel to, there’s a price to pay for medical services and it ain’t free! For me, medical emergency insurance is always an important part of my travel budget and should be planned accordingly. It’s a small price to pay for keeping your medical emergencies covered abroad. So will you pack your travel insurance on your next trip? You’re only one click away from getting your personalized quote HERE.    
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10 Tips to Prepare For Your First International Trip

10 Tips to Prepare For Your First International Trip

10 Tips to Prepare For Your First International Trip

“It’s better to see something once, than to hear about it a thousand times.” – Asian Proverb

If you’re anything like me, travelling internationally for the first time was a bit overwhelming, confusing and quite honestly frightening. Coming from a very small town, we all knew each other; everyone was either family or friends and the community was a safe one. I remember once during my childhood going to visit family in Southern Ontario and driving by Toronto was sought as being “dangerous”. I still chuckle at the thought today. Of course, danger exists around every corner, but that fearfulness instilled in your mind is the real deal breaker, the one that increases the risk of that unnecessary feeling: anxiety. I still remember my first time out of Canada, which was for my honeymoon in Dominican Republic back in 2000. I was a bit naïve and anxious as I was out of my comfort zone –  I was travelling to an unfamiliar place for the first time! I wish I had the information I do today, it would have made my experience a little less frightful and stressful. It’s true what they say: “You learn by experience” and it’s an ongoing process. After having travelled to many countries, I now know much more about preparing myself, and the positive benefits that travelling can bring to oneself, however it is normal to experience that anxious feeling and it can be quite intimidating if it’s your first time.

Here’s my top 10 tips to help ease your travelling anxiety

Don’t take everyone’s opinions personally or literally!

People have different opinions based on their experiences and personalities. Some even have opinions on areas or places they’ve never visited or experienced yet! Don’t forget, we’re all different in term of what we look for when we travel, so opinions can vary greatly! Food, accommodations, culture, language, activities – those areas can be very subjective in terms of personal preferences. That’s one of many reasons consulting and booking with a Certified Travel Consultant (Rachel’s Travel…wink, wink) can help ease your fear of travelling, giving you professional facts instead of personal opinions!

Research before you leave!

As much as your neighbour’s negative or positive opinions might instill more fear or hope, research can go a long way. Look for factual websites that can be useful. Learn about the culture, about the language and the food. Having a sense of the other countries’ culture can help you avoid some disappointments or misconceptions about their living lifestyle. Try looking at videos on YouTube or reading some reviews about the place. BUT! Be careful when reading reviews, some can bring more anxiety as so many people feel like it’s a place to rant over and get freebies from the resorts or hotels. I’m not saying to look only for positive reviews – after reading a few, you will start to see and feel a recurrence of certain aspects about the place – that’s where you form your judgement. AND, if you tap in and listen to your gut instinct, you’ll know if it’s the right or wrong place for you. Again, consulting with a professional is always recommended!

Protect your home while you’re away!

With social media being a huge part of our lives these days, we love to share our experiences and photos on social media platforms with our family and friends while we’re on vacation. However this can trigger some people to become unwelcomed guests into your home. Don’t spend your precious holidays worrying about thieves or nasty weather. With technology at our fingertips, there are a panoply of apps available to monitor your house. Or if you’re anything like me, I prefer having a house sitter while I’m away!

Organize your papers!

It can happen to the best of us! Losing a passport, a driver’s licence or a credit card. Take some time before you leave to scan or take pictures of your passport and important identification. Send them to your e-mail and leave a copy with someone you trust, you’ll have access to them if ever the need arises. Also make a list of your financial institution and credit card’s contact information. And don’t forget to advise your local financial institution that you’ll be using your bank or credit card abroad! Have a backup credit card in case of emergencies. With today’s technology, you can access your e-mail pretty much anywhere there’s Wi-Fi. In the event you lose your passport or credit card, you can easily get in contact with the correct institution to get your things back in order. Get acquainted with the Embassies & Consulate. Look up the Canadian consular services information in the country where you’ll be visiting in case of an emergency. You’ll have an idea of who and where to reach out to in the event of an emergency.

Stay Connected!

In today’s modern society, our cell phone is our new BFF (or enemy – depending on how you perceive it). Whether you have a business or family that you need to be connected to back home, using your cell phone abroad can be VERY costly if you didn’t prepare prior to your departure. Check with your wireless carrier to see what roaming plan it offers. If buying a roaming package is not feasible for you, turn on your airplane mode to avoid using data and incurring unwanted charges. Use the Wi-Fi provided at your destination. Here are a few of my favorite App’s for staying connected while using only Wi-Fi: FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype.

Travel Insurance!

I can’t stress enough on the insurance thing. Yes, it’s expensive! Yes, there are some restrictions! BUT! If the correct policy and coverage are in place and you understand them, you won’t have to stress about it while you’re travelling. The best thing is to consult with your Certified Travel Consultant or your insurance provider to make sure you have the best coverage for your needs. Don’t assume you’re covered for everything, READ your policy. The last thing you want on vacation is finding out you’ll have to pay $5,000 to get a cast on your broken arm when you slipped on that wet tile! That $300 travel insurance policy could’ve saved you $4,700! Again, researching and reading your travel insurance policy is key to knowing exactly what you are or aren’t covered for!

Talk to your professional health care provider!

Take time to see your health care professional a few months prior to your travel date. Getting professional medical advice (not your neighbour’s – unless he or she’s an M.D…) can save you from getting an unknown virus or disease. Better to take advice from a professional, as they can recommend how to be protected with the proper vaccinations, supplements or medications.

Money talks!

Look up the currency conversion rates. You might be baffled when you get to Jamaica to have to pay $300J for a cold Red Stripe if you have no idea what $300J is worth in your countries’ currency! Have some local currency, not all places accept $US or $CAN or even credit cards.

Put your smart hat on!

Don’t do anything that would put yourself or your travel companion in danger. Be street-smart and alert. Don’t flash expensive jewellery (actually, leave them at home), pickpocketing and stealing can and do happen. Bring only a minimal amount of cash (leave the bulk in your hotel safe). Don’t leave your wallet in your back pocket, use a cross body bag, and don’t leave your bags unattended with a stranger! I’ve seen this happen too many times, yikes! If it feels like you’re in the wrong place or if something is off, it probably is, trust your instinct. Those little tips can help reduce the risks. Respect the culture and the people and the same will be shown to you.

Lastly, HAVE FUN!

Let loose, get out of your comfort zone and savor every second of your well-deserved vacation or travelling adventure! This is YOUR time to experience another destination’s culture. Take it in, have a positive attitude and be grateful for this great adventure! Travelling can be a life changing experience!