| Once upon a time, a very wise person was heard | | | | particular country's public medical facilities. Even |
| to say 'If you can't afford travel insurance, you | | | | when planning a short trip to Bali, you might want |
| can't afford to travel.' Its cliché, but then, | | | | to make sure your policy covers private health |
| clichés are often true. If you are going | | | | care. With lower standards of medical care (not |
| overseas, get travel cover - even the cheapest | | | | least due to the fact the rules of global economics |
| travel insurance deals are really quite reasonable | | | | mean the highest qualified doctors often leave to |
| when compared to the price of airline tickets - let | | | | pursue careers in wealthier countries), you are at |
| alone the price you might have to pay if you | | | | higher risk of infection or other mishaps. On top |
| break your leg or get all your bags stolen. | | | | of this, you probably don't want to be subjected |
| Medical Cover - Just Get It | | | | to the same waiting lists that the locals have to |
| Expensive but Crucial | | | | put up with. In countries with high rates of |
| No matter what cover you decide to purchase, | | | | communicable diseases, such as AIDS in Southern |
| even if it's the budget version, it should have | | | | Africa, paying the extra for private health care is |
| some sort of medical cover. However, you may | | | | a wise decision. |
| want to beef this up, depending on where you're | | | | Don't Even Think About It! |
| travelling. Most basic options will not cover sports | | | | Well, you can certainly go wherever you like, but |
| such as skiing, as the risk of injury and expensive | | | | don't expect to be covered by travel insurance |
| treatment is just too high. The first important | | | | companies if the country or region you are |
| thing you need to worry about is what the | | | | thinking of heading to has a specific travel warning |
| treatment will cost you. A case often given is the | | | | from the Foreign Office. Hotspots such as Iraq or |
| traveller taking a trip through the United States, | | | | Sudan marked 'Do Not Travel' will most probably |
| land of opportunity and appalling health systems. | | | | be snubbed by your insurer. You can generally |
| Many Americans live on a day to day basis with | | | | check for a full list online with various sites |
| no health insurance - a fallback system is just not | | | | offering up to date warnings. There may also be |
| in place. This means that if a foreign national gets | | | | warnings 'advising against travel' (the next level |
| injured, they're in the same position, and liable for | | | | down) to a whole host more destinations, including |
| some astronomical costs. You may think you | | | | Indonesia (and therefore Bali), so it's best to |
| won't get ill - but broken bones do happen - one | | | | check with individual companies if in doubt. |
| of these could cost you thousands and thousands | | | | Unfortunately for you, the issue may have been |
| of dollars. There are horror stories of people only | | | | politicised, and might even seem bizarre - Australia |
| stopping in the US for transit purposes for a few | | | | was recently listed as a risk destination for some |
| days, and having accidents which take years to | | | | time by countries including the UK following the |
| pay off. Medical evacuations from the states can | | | | Cronulla riots - but the company probably won't |
| cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Look for | | | | want to hear your opinion on whether it's safe. |
| policies that deal with this. | | | | Finally, even if you travel to a country with no |
| A Little Squeamish? | | | | prior history of violence, your company may still |
| At the other end of the scale, if you are travelling | | | | get out of paying you - many policies will not |
| to a developing county, you probably won't want | | | | cover any act of war or terrorism whatsoever. |
| to subject your delicate first-world body to the | | | | |