Most people rely heavily on their medical insurance policies in daily life. In an accident, a medical emergency or when very ill, you can use your medical insurance to pay for doctor’s bills, hospital fees and to protect yourself and your finances. Unfortunately, even the best policies may fail to protect you when you are traveling abroad. Whether you are traveling alone to Mexico for a long weekend or Thailand for a month with your family, investing in additional medical insurance can prove to be incredibly helpful. Here are just five things to consider when contemplating the purchase of extra medical insurance for your travels.

1. Examine Your Existing Policy:

The first step in determining if you need additional medical insurance for your travels is to read through your existing policy. Some policies will cover minimal costs encountered abroad, although few will also include emergency transportation, pay extra for doctors who speak English or ensure that your trip back to the United States will be covered in full. By understanding the gaps in your existing medical insurance policy, you can determine what you need to be protected when abroad.

2. Decide if Emergency Coverage is Enough:

Many of the most popular medical insurance policies that can be purchased before your trip will include only emergency procedures. For example, a policy may cover all of your costs if you are injured and need an emergency surgery. However, after the surgery your medical costs may no longer be urgent and may therefore not be covered by the insurance policy. You will need to decide what you can afford and what is deemed necessary when choosing a medical insurance policy for your trip.

3. Understand any Deductible Costs:

Just like a medical insurance policy at home, a medical travel insurance policy will typically have some kind of deductible that needs to be kept in mind. If your deductible is too high, the insurance policy you invest in may be less valuable that you originally thought. Read through any policies before purchasing to ensure that you can afford the deductible if an emergency should arise.

4. Avoid Travel to At-Risk Countries:

Even the most extensive and expensive medical insurance policies for travel may not apply to you if you choose to travel to an at-risk country. Make sure to check the United Stated Department of State website in order to determine if a country is designated at-risk. If it is, call your medical insurance provider and clarify, in writing if possible, whether your policy will still apply to your trip.

5. Consider Multi-Trip Policies:

Those who travel frequently may be used to purchasing multiple policies each year before a trip. If you find yourself researching policies and paying multiple times each year, it may be a better investment to pay an annual fee. These extensive policies will cover you regardless of when you travel and can save you both time and money if you travel frequently.

Medical insurance for your trip can help you to pay for medical costs, may allow for you to have emergency medical evacuation, could help you find an English speaking doctor and can protect both your health and your finances whenever you happen to travel abroad. These tips can ensure that you find the perfect policy to meet your travel needs.

Ann James is a full-time freelance writer in Northern California. She is a guest writer for www.securitysystems.net, a site she recommends if you’re looking into life shield prices.