Whether you are a veteran traveler or one who is making their first steps in travel, it pays to know that the world we live in is a vast and unpredictable place with many associated risks.

What is therefore essential is the need to secure appropriate travel insurance to cover those risks, including the most obvious such as medical emergency costs and for travel related mishaps. Medical emergencies overseas can be really expensive, especially if you’re traveling in a remote location and in need of medical evacuation.

Many countries have now made it mandatory for travelers to have travel insurance coverage prior to traveling. This is to ensure that resources and labor for services in those countries are fully reimbursed in the event travelers encounter problems during their trip. For the concerned traveler, coverage helps mitigate the consequences arising from those risks, mainly financially related. A win-win for all.    

In today’s article, Pacific Prime Thailand will look at a few countries that have made it mandatory or are soon to legislate, for visitors to show proof of insurance coverage during their trip abroad.

USA

As the largest economy in the world, the USA offers millions of tourists that travel there a plethora of destinations to visit. Whether you are planning to splurge in New York or spot a celebrity or two in Los Angeles, there’s no end to the activities to be had in the land of the free.

With the country spanning across the length of the continent, many will be preparing for the trip of their lifetime. The travel timeline can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Other than the arduous visa process, it is imperative to know that travel insurance is a vital requirement for traveling to and within the United States due to their characteristic health care system.  

The healthcare system in the US is predominantly private meaning the government does not fund free hospital care from taxpayers’ money. Even U.S citizens are responsible for their own health insurance cover. Therefore, travelers too will need to consider the adequate cover to offset any medical bills that may arise. The nation is also known for its advanced medical treatment, which also correlates to incredibly expensive medical bills. Costs are incurred from the moment an ambulance is called to when the patient is discharged back into the community, equal to thousands of dollars.

In any case, when considering travel insurance it is important to include coverage for hospital admission, emergency medical care, medical evacuation, and for the worst case: repatriation.

UAE

A country that has been growing exponentially for the last 20 years, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) consists of 7 states that draw people from all over the world. The country is renown for its artificial man-made islands, large shopping malls, and luxurious hotels along the coast of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

In the last decade, the country’s government has been slowly introducing strict requirements for tourists that need a visa to provide proof of travel insurance coverage before entering the country. Included should be medical insurance, which is highly recommended to offset the high fees incurred from hospitalization.

According to Gulf News, mandatory health insurance cover for visitors is to be confirmed by the end of 2019. In a country where it is common for the mercury to soar above 50 degrees Celsius, heat-related illnesses form one of the main reasons to be hospitalized.  Thus companies and travel agents that arrange tour packages will insist on the purchase of travel insurance for all visitors prior to travel.

New Zealand

Like many adventurous countries, New Zealand offers them all. Famous for its extreme sports and high octane activities such as white-water rafting, snowboarding, canoeing and bungee jumping, the risk of injury and accidents are quite high.

Unless you are an Australian citizen visiting New Zealand which has a reciprocal healthcare agreement, it is recommended that you seek full, comprehensive cover, especially for extreme sports if you plan on taking part in them. Natural disasters such as earthquakes can happen unexpectedly and should be considered for your protection in case they occur.

Thailand

The Land of Smiles brings people from all walks of life to explore the exotic realms of its culture, history, tradition, and cuisine. According to Forbes, the capital Bangkok welcomed 20.5 million visitors in 2017, which made it one of the most visited cities in the world. Since then the number has risen which has brought many challenges for safety and healthcare as the country adapts to cope with the increasing numbers.

Early this April, with reference to Bangkok Post, TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) signed a memorandum of understanding with Muang Thai Insurance, Krungthai Panich Insurance and South East Insurance to provide an insurance policy, Thai Travel Shield, for tourists. This comes at a time where Thailand’s safety record has been refuted by events such as the Phoenix boat accident in July 2018.

However, generally speaking, Thailand has long been a country for adventurous people to explore and discover via multiple activities such as wilderness trekking, mountain climbing, snorkeling but also tropical diseases and much more that pose risks to travelers not accustomed to the environment.

Although the country has yet to make it mandatory for foreign visitors to have proof of insurance coverage upon entering the country, we would recommend travelers, as well as expats in Thailand to get private health insurance in Thailand for protection from uncertainties arising from their travels and activities. Thailand’s medical fees are considered to be extremely costly once added up and can be a burden to any traveler.

Looking for more information?

Are you looking for more information on travel insurance in Thailand, or any other insurance-related matter? If so, be sure to contact the experienced team of insurance advisors at Pacific Prime today! Alternatively, you can click here to browse our blog, which is updated by our expert team on a weekly basis.