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As with any major journey, you must consider travel insurance when planning your trip – this is especially true of travel to the USA. Whether you have a car crash in California, catch ‘flu in Florida or lose luggage in Louisiana, the appropriate level of insurance will guarantee that such incidents do not turn into disasters – of a physical and financial nature. It’s not an over-statement to say that not getting the right cover when you travel to the States could bankrupt you…
US Health Insurance
The USA has no reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia, and the cost of medical care there is extremely high; a doctor may charge hundreds of US dollars for a single consultation, and hospital stays cost up to $10,000 per day. Worse still, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trading, a medical evacuation back to Australia can cost anywhere from $75,000 to $300,000. If you do not have adequate health cover, you and your family will have to pay these bills. Without question, having unlimited health cover as part of your travel insurance policy should be a top priority when travelling to the States.
It is important to note that standard policies will not cover you for pre-existing conditions, which can be anything from an ongoing chronic illness you suffer (for example, asthma) to a condition you may catch just before leaving home. If you know of such a condition, you should notify your insurer so that it may be included your policy.
When taking out travel insurance, look carefully at the wording of all aspects of your policy, making sure each will be adequate for your trip to the United States. To be safe, check the Government website for further information.
Insuring Personal Items
Make sure to check your policy carefully to determine how far you are covered for the loss, damage or theft of your personal belongings. Pay particular attention to the exclusions from coverage listed in the Product Disclosure Statement. Note that these exclusions apply not only to certain types of items, but also to certain circumstances under which items may be lost, damaged, or stolen.
Some common exclusions from coverage include:
- Items left unattended in public
- Items left in a car
- Valuable items such as electronics or jewellery that is not carried with you
- Cash or bank notes
Change of Plans and Cancellations
The USA is a huge country and if you are travelling a great deal within the country itself there is always a chance that your transportation or accommodation may be cancelled. Check before departure whether fees incurred in this way will be covered by your policy.
It’s important to be aware that the exclusion of cover for pre-existing medical conditions applies to any party/person that can affect your travel plans. For example, if you are forced to return home early due to a family member’s illness, you may not be covered if you knew about this condition before your departure. If this is a possibility, it is best to notify your insurer.
It is also sensible to take out your travel insurance policy when you book your accommodation and purchase airline tickets. This will ensure that you are not out of pocket in the event that the trip is cancelled even before it has begun.
Final Checklist
- Take out travel insurance at the same time as you buy your tickets and book accommodation.
- Make sure your policy includes unlimited travel health insurance.
- Read your policy carefully for any exclusions.
- Notify your insurer of any pre-existing medical conditions.
Happy travels!
