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How does international travel insurance work?

How does EXCESS work on travel insurance?

  • just trying to work out travel insurance for my daughter going volunteering in india.i have found several companies which offer backpacker insurance,however i do not understand how excess works.i know that it means she would have to pay that in the event of a claim but does it mean that should she need medical attention in india,they would treat her until they had recieved the excess or does she just phone the 24hour helpline and show paperwork then the medical facility sorts it? please forgive me,it may sound like a dumb question but i cant bear to think she would be ill and left untreated until i managed to get payment sent as she wouldnt have that excess cash on her.i just dont understand how excess works.thankyou so much

  • Answer:

    The excess is the amount she will have to contribute towards the medical expenses. She (or you) should always contact the Help Line as soon as able - insurers often reserve the right to transfer the insured to their chosen medical facilities if their local Doctor considers she can be moved - and if this does not happen they may not pay what they consider excessive charges. Check the wording of any policy you choose very carefully you may have to get a policy with various addons. Many travel policies exclude WORK or restrict the type of work permitted (EVEN if VOLUNTARY), they also may as standard exclude activities that young people abroad may do. A classic example is hiking above 2000 meters (the main Grand Canyon tourist centre is above this height). See this article on Travel Insurance - what to look out for http://inblighty.com/trekbooks/trekinsurance.html When travelling I leave a copies of the insurance docs (including policy) with parents, encrypted online - accessible from anywhere with internet, with me at all times in my daybag and in case this is lost another back at the accommodation. http://inblighty.com/trekbooks/trekgovtlinks.html lists useful emergency links for lost/stolen passports/cards, emergency money transfer etc, travel company ceased training etc Hope this helps

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The insurance company will pay all the bills directly to the doctor/hospital if they're able to accept it. The excess will be payable by her to the insurance company on her return to the UK. However, many doctors/hospitals in rural areas don't have the ability to get payment from the insurance company directly and insist on payment in full locally. In that event your daughter would take the receipts for the treatment home and make a claim against the insurance policy who will refund all of the payment made less the excess amount. Get her an emergency Visa card, even as a secondary card holder on your own Visa card, as well as the insurance.

Elaine

it varies, but generally she'd have to pay for the treatment and then claim it back, less the excess. This means she needs access to suitable funds, a credit or debit card. Sometimes she might not have to pay straight away but it depends on the hospital, the country and the insurance company. and if she's going all the way to India, she ought to be smart enough to sort this for herself. be aware that backpacker insurance is often very limited on possessions cover. Check it has enough for repatriation and cancellation, for the former you may need £1M or more.

nomoreanswers

She would be treated and before leaving the medical establishment the excess would need to be paid to them. Double check with the small print because some travel policies require you to pay the bill in full first, get receipts and then claim the money back from the insurance company.

ragingmk

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