Tips for seeking out the best medical travel insurance

Travel insurance is a travel necessity as medical costs abroad can be very high indeed, and in the case of an emergency, you want access to the best treatment possible. Here we look at some tips to follow when you are looking for health cover for a trip abroad.

It is not just the cost of medical treatment itself that you may have to pay for. Many travellers fail to include the possible costs of repatriation, or for the accommodation and travel needs of visiting relatives.

You will also need to calculate what is a reasonable amount of cover to expect for your given destination. Many countries now have healthcare agreements with the UK entitling you to free or subsidised healthcare costs there, but many do not.

An exclusion to look for when searching for travel insurance is that some insurance providers will not provide cover for emergencies that occur outwith official working hours. Once you have secured a policy you should make sure to take a note of your insurers telephone contact and your policy reference number and carry it with you. It is also important to let your travel insurer know if you have any existing healthcare needs as this can affect your policy. If you are having trouble finding insurance due to your existing medical condition then you will find specialist insurers and brokers that cater for this type of specialist insurance.

The UK has mutual medical care agreements with many countries, especially within the EEA. However, these agreements do not mean that all of your expenses will be covered and so additional travel insurance cover is always recommended.

Those who have any current medical conditions should also always let their insurer know about this before purchasing a policy. If you do not declare an existing condition, then your cover may be null and void when you come to need it.

Before purchasing any travel insurance, it is advisable to check any existing medical policies or credit card policies, as both can include some level of travel health insurance too.