Protecting Yourself During Your European Jaunt
Steve Cogger

Before making the determination to buy health insurance for travel in Europe you should check your own health insurance policy. You'll want to determine if that health insurance policy might cover you not only for a medical emergency during your travel in Europe but also to resolve situations such as your luggage being lost, your trip being cancelled for yours or your family's medical emergency, or bankruptcy or fraud of any trip vendor - cruise ship or airline, for example.

If your current health insurance policy is not clear on any of these issues about Europe travel, then call your agent and get clarification. Where your health insurance does cover events occurring during Europe travel determine the amount and extent of coverage. Make sure you find out the exclusions as well.

Should you make the determination to purchase travel health insurance for your European vacation your travel agent can help with this. The price for this health insurance during your travel in Europe will vary according to the number of people traveling and their ages, the length of your trip and your destinations. If your travel in Europe includes an adventure trip or sports activities you may pay more. In fact, you may need a different health insurance policy altogether. There may be some dangerous activities that are excluded.

Your current health insurance will probably cover you for some portion at least of your travel in Europe. The exceptions are if you have an HMO, or if you are on Medicare. These do not cover you outside of the United States.

Even if you have health insurance that says it covers travel in Europe keep in mind that most other countries' medical facilities and caregivers are going to want you to pay cash up front for your care and then wait for reimbursement from your health insurance carrier after your travel in Europe. Are you financially prepared for this?

The other issue that can be very costly is evacuating for medical emergency. What if care is not adequate where you are? Or what if there is a local medical emergency that requires you to leave that country immediately? Your current health insurance is unlikely to help you abruptly end your travel in Europe and complete an immediate departure.

As you plan your travel in Europe, you're probably going to want to purchase travel health insurance, no matter what your current coverage.

Steve Cogger is an avid traveler offering a wealth of travel information. For more information on travel insurance visit the 1 Happy Traveller website.