Virginia woman was playing poker on a cruise ship when her
husband noticed her speech was slightly unintelligible. Assuming she
was just a little "tipsy," from a couple of alcoholic drinks and the
excitement of the game, he never expected to hear his wife lean over
and say, "I... I ... I think I'm having a stroke."
Regardless of where a person is traveling in the world, whether
by sea, land or air, medical emergencies can and do happen. That's
why travel industry professionals urge customers to prepare for the
unexpected by getting adequate travel insurance coverage.
According to Cruise Lines International Association, a record-
breaking 11 million-plus passengers boarded cruise ships in 2005.
Along with that growth is an ever-evolving menu of cruise ship
travel protections.
In a world where flight delays are not the exception but the
rule, there are policies for a range of travel-related needs. Such
examples are coverage if you miss a connecting flight to your
cruise, the cost of treatment in the cruise ship medical department,
trip cancellation/interruption and medical and evacuation coverage.
"There are a lot of folks who just think that it's never going to
happen to them," said Mark Cipolletti, vice president of Access
America, one of the leading travel insurance providers in the United
States. "They don't realize that when you're traveling out of the
United States or your network, it's highly likely that your health
insurance plan is not going to cover you."
Cancellation insurance is the main reason why people buy travel
insurance today. But for the greatest peace of mind, particularly
when going on extensive journeys abroad, a more comprehensive
coverage is advised.
For example, should you require emergency assistance that
involves emergency medical evacuation services, the cost can be
prohibitive. Depending upon where you are in the world at the time
of the accident evacuation costs can range from $15,000 to over
$100,000. For uninsured travelers, payment is expected, in full,
before services are rendered.
"People who have a 'Med Evac' policy with us have worldwide
medical transportation benefits up to $1 million and we co-ordinate
those services for you," said Cipolletti, whose company has a 24-
hour Emergency Hotline and a staff that speaks 37 different
languages. "When you're properly insured, you always have an
advocate who's there to help you with your emergency medical needs."
At Covington International Travel, nearly half of the leisure
client bookings involved the purchase of travel insurance. Their
customers rank "peace of mind" at the top of their benefits list.
"A client broke his hip while traveling in Costa Rica," said
Susan Morris Morrow, manager of the Leisure Division of Covington.
"It would have cost $36,000 to have him medically evacuated if he
did not have medical coverage."
"I think a travel agent can be a lifesaver, particularly in the
case of medical emergencies, " said Martha Meade, manager of public
and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. "There's a lot a travel
agent can do."
Pre-trip planning
According to Martha Meade of AAA Mid-Atlantic, "Prevention is the
key to a worry-free trip." Here are a few pre-trip suggestions.
1: Visit your doctor to make sure you have a clean bill of
health. But if there's a pre-existing medical condition, try to get
it under control (if possible) before you go. Ask your doctor what
to do should your current condition flare up.
2: Carry all your prescription and over-the-counter medications
with you. Keep a list of your medications, medical conditions and
emergency contacts on your person. Give your travel companion a copy
and also leave a copy with someone at home.
3: Wear identification to alert any medical personnel of any
medical condition you may be suffering from.
4: Prepare a traveler's medical kit with first aid items and take
it along. Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(www.CDC.gov/
travel) for items to include and other helpful information.
5: Check the U.S. Department of State (www.travel.state.gov) for
travel advice, alerts and warnings.
--SOURCE: AAA Mid-Atlantic
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