Top Ten Excuses to Not Have Travel Insurance: Debunked

Top Ten Reasons to not have Travel Insurance or International Health Insurance.

1. “I never get sick or injured.”

   • The fact is that most of the medical claims in our firm are orthopedic based. We deal with a lot of broken hips, femurs, ankles, backs, knees, and unexpected surgeries. Our biggest claim this year was for someone who had not been in a hospital since 1974—long before their illness. Travel Insurance would cover these expenses.

2. “I can self-pay or self-insure myself.”

   • True, most common illnesses or doctor visits are reasonably priced. However, a visit to the cardiac wing in a major private Mexican hospital for an emergency coronary stent can cost $15,000 to $30,000usd. A week spent in the ICU can cost $2,000 to $4,000 per day for care. A simple surgery can cost upwards of $10,000usd. Can your finances handle that? International health coverage is important.

3. “I have Medicare. It will cover it.”

   • Medicare does not cover foreign care. Some Medicare supplements cover limited emergency care, but only in the first 60 days abroad. They also require you to wait to be paid back, and any follow-up care usually needs to be done in the United States.

4. “I have Medical Evacuation Coverage.”

   • This is a great choice for many travelers and we sell many to clients. Be aware that to be evacuated, one must be stable to fly, and stabilization can be very expensive. Some health conditions actually do not allow for transport. It is also important you have coverage back in the United States or Canada in order to be treated. Understand how your policy works and its terms so that you will make an informed decision. We work with Medical Evacuation and Health Insurance. Be safe with Travel Insurance or International Health Insurance.

5. “I’m Canadian. My Provincial Plan will cover me.”

   • Better double check! Most provinces drop coverage for Canadians after 6 or 7 months outside of Canada. Also, the reimbursement can be very low.

6. “I’m 69. I’m too old.”

   • International plans allow you to buy policies until you are 75. You then can keep the plan for life.

7. “It’s too expensive.”

   • Compared to what? When compared to an American plan, it is a fraction of the cost for comparable coverage. Most can obtain good quality coverage for about $1,200 – $2,400usd per year; whereas in the United States, you can pay upwards of $9,000usd.

8. “I have a preexisting condition. I won’t qualify.”

   • It is true that serious preexisting conditions may disqualify you from coverage. However, some conditions may be covered, issued with a restriction, or can be excluded and still allow you to obtain a policy. After working with 300+ clients, we can usually give you a good idea what to expect before applying.

9. “I have Obamacare, and I can’t drop it.”

   • Talk with us, or your tax adviser. There might be some solutions or ideas on how to receive an exemption. We can even cover you in the United States for part of the year if needed.

10. “I am the luckiest person alive.”

*   Yes you are! You live in Mexico!

International Health Insurance and Travel Insurance makes sense for most people. No excuses now. Contact us today for a quote.

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