If you are making vacation plans for the near future, you are probably busy securing flight and hotel arrangements. If your travel involves leaving your home country, the next step in your planning process should be visitors insurance. Visitors Insurance is a short-term health insurance policy used to cover any illness or injury that you may encounter while traveling or staying in another country.

What do most plans cover?

Most plans cover expenses such as doctor's visits, emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgery, lab work, x-rays, prescription medication, and other eligible expenses depending on the policy that you purchase. Some plans may also cover dental benefits; travel benefits in the event of lost luggage, an emergency evacuation, or trip cancellation; and death and dismemberment benefits in case of accidental death or terrorist attack.

What is not included

Although some policies may have an option to insure for pre-existing conditions, most policies usually do not. Pre-existing conditions include illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, or any other illness that existed prior to departure. Visitor insurance also does not cover any preventative-care such vaccinations, physicals, or routine checkups, or any illness or injury that happened prior to traveling abroad.

Types of Policies

Most insurance companies offer two types of plans:

Limited or Fixed coverage plan

Offers basic medical care and benefits
Has a defined and limited payout schedule
Has the lowest premium cost up front
The deductible amount is paid per illness or injury
Has fewer benefits and more limitations
Has no preferred provider network or PPO, so you can use any hospital or any doctor
Has higher out-of-pocket expenses

Comprehensive Coverage

Pays a specified percentage of medical expense
Has a higher premium
Has a wider choice of deductible amount
Offers better benefits and better coverage
Has a greater range of deductible offered paid for the policy period or annually
Offers a network of doctors and hospitals or a (PPO) that the insurance company will help you find when you are in need
Has lower out-of-pocket expenses

How much do these policies usually cost?

The fixed coverage policy ranged from approximately $64.00 to around $90.00 for $100,000 worth of coverage. The comprehensive policy prices ranged from about $117.00 to around $215.00 for $100,00 worth of coverage.

How to choose the policy that is right for you

Do some research to find out what the average hospital visit costs in the country that you plan to visit.
Be sure that you purchase sufficient coverage for the country that you will be visiting.
Is the deductible affordable for you?
Is the company reputable, rated, and reliable?
Will they refund your premium if your trip is cancelled?
Is the policy renewable in case your stay is extended? If so, for how long?

When most people visit to another country, serious illness or a hospital stay is the last thing anyone's mind. While we all hope that won't happen, it is important to be prepared and insured in the event that it does. Visitors insurance is always a wise purchase whenever your plans involve a trip outside of your home country.