Travel Health Insurance Supports Seniors Travel Safe
December 8, 2009 by Ray Sondeo
Filed under Travel Insurance
Retirement is not the end of life, but a beginning of a whole new period of exploration and adventure. It is often the best time to travel, always with travelers medical insurance, as all the factors are usually in place – the finances, availability of time, knowledge to understand and appreciate different experiences, and children being independent.
However free the mind is, remember that the body might not follow. International trips mean that you are more likely to catch an illness or infection during your trip, and remember that your local medical insurance will not be accepted overseas. To keep your travel enjoyable and stress-free, you must purchase international travel health insurance.
To make the most out of your trip, get to know more about the places you will visit, along with information on what illnesses and infections are common there. This information, along with health alerts for travel to specific countries and health insurance options, is provided by the Centers for Disease Control. Needless to say, travel insurance is imperative.
Vaccinations are critical, and any international traveler must remain up to date on his/her immunization. Researching more about specific conditions such as heat and pollen count of destination cities can help seniors plan and schedule their insurance accordingly.
Most travel insurance plans will offer coverage for sudden, unplanned events be it medical or trip-related. Some of the medical benefits include coverage for hospitalization, ambulance services, diagnostics, accidental death or loss of limbs, and repatriation of mortal remains. Some common non-medical benefits offered include trip interruption and loss of baggage.
If you are a senior traveling overseas, prepare yourself for the trip. Request your medical practitioner for a note with information on your pre-existing conditions, regular prescription drugs, if any, and information on drug allergies. Purchase your prescription drugs for the duration of the trip, with a few days extra, to tide over any extension in the itinerary. Travel insurance usually does not cover prescription drug costs.
Because travel insurance is short-term insurance, eye and dental care are usually excluded, and seniors must take an extra set of eyeglasses and dentures, if applicable. Also, an emergency supplies kit with over-the-counter medicines for common ailments will save a lot of trouble later.
Remember to keep a steady, easy pace when traveling periods of high activity alternating with period of low activity may not work well. If possible, find a travel partner or group, or at least, let someone know about your schedule. Avoid travel at night, where possible. Travel insurance is best as a great ally whose services you never actually use.
Dan Miller often writes about travel insurance.