Health insurance for traveling abroad: answers to frequently asked questions
Ukrainians often face a number of questions when they need to take out health insurance for traveling abroad. What does the policy cover, which one is better to choose, and whether it is possible to extend the insurance while abroad are just some of them. Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about insurance in the material of Visit Ukraine
Health insurance is a common thing for many travelers today. Many countries require an insurance policy for entry or residence permits. If a person has an insurance policy, they can be sure of their safety and protection, because it is the insurance company that will take care of the organization and expenses in the event of an insured event, not the client.
However, many people face difficulties when applying for insurance due to unclear terminology or lack of knowledge of the process of cooperation with insurance companies and the appropriate algorithm for using the policy for which they paid. Below, we will try to deal with the most frequently asked questions that Visit Ukraine's partner insurance companies receive from their clients.
By the way, we discussed whether Ukrainians need insurance when traveling on a visa-free regime in a previous article.
How does health insurance work abroad – answers to common questions
1. What is a deductible?
In simple terms, a deductible (or retention) is the amount that is not covered by the insurance company and is paid by the client in the event of an insured event. Most often, the deductible is expressed as a certain fixed amount that will be deducted from the sum insured or as a percentage of the total loss. Deductibles are beneficial primarily for insurance companies, which reduce their costs to compensate the client and save on staff that would have to service this deductible if it were included in the sum insured.
It is worth noting that there are insurance policies without a deductible that fully cover insured events and the client does not have to pay for anything. Such health insurance policies are available on the Visit Ukraine website. But it's worth remembering that the insurance company compensates for losses only up to the sum insured - anything above that is paid by the client. For example, a person is admitted to a hospital with an insurance policy for 30 thousand euros, but his or her treatment costs 35 thousand euros. In this case, the client pays 5 thousand euros to the hospital.
2. Do health insurance policies cover dentistry?
As a rule, no. However, it all depends on the specific company and policy. Health insurance from Visit Ukraine partners covers emergency dentistry. For example, acute toothache, broken tooth, acute inflammation, abscesses - the insurance company will take care of this. However, cleanings, fillings, implants, or veneers are not covered. It is normal practice, for example, to open and treat canals that cause acute pain, but the cost of a new filling that is placed on the treated tooth will be covered by the patient.
3. Are foreign insurances better than Ukrainian ones?
This is a fairly common stereotype. Foreign insurance is not always better than Ukrainian insurance. First, Ukrainian policies are cheaper than foreign ones and have better content. In addition, foreign insurance often has a very long waiting period: a policy can start “working” as late as six months after it is purchased (“time deductible”). Instead, Ukrainian insurers can offer telemedicine from Ukrainian doctors, which is convenient both in terms of the language barrier and in cases of emergency treatment of children. Policies from Visit Ukraine's partners cover both on-site medical care by foreign doctors and remote consultations by Ukrainian doctors.
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4. What is the algorithm for seeking medical care if a person has insurance?
In case of an insured event, a person should first of all call the insurance company as soon as possible. The company's contacts are always indicated on the insurance policy. It is your insurer who will be obliged to organize an ambulance call or outpatient medical care in a clinic abroad. If an emergency occurs when the person was unable to contact the insurance company before hospitalization, you should keep all receipts and documents and contact the insurance company as soon as possible to reimburse the costs. The optimal time to contact is within 24 hours after the insured event.
5. Can I extend my Ukrainian insurance while abroad?
Most insurance companies do not sell insurance policies to people who are abroad. However, on the Visit Ukraine website, Ukrainians can apply for or renew insurance from anywhere in the world. You can extend your insurance policy either by purchasing a new insurance online or by contacting our customer service to extend it (you can write to us on WhatsApp or Telegram).
How to buy insurance on the Visit Ukraine website?
To take out insurance online on our website, you need to take a few simple steps. First of all, you need to choose what type of policy you need. On the Visit Ukraine website, you can buy health insurance with worldwide coverage (with the amount of coverage from 30,000 to 50,000 thousand euros) or with coverage in European countries (with coverage of 30,000 euros, as required by the rules for visiting the Schengen area). Choose a policy depending on the countries you plan to visit. After you have chosen the type of insurance:
1. Select the policy coverage (the website offers several insurance packages with different coverage so that each client can choose the best option for themselves)
2. Select the term of the insurance and specify the date of birth of the insured person. The system will automatically calculate the cost of insurance for the selected period.
3. Fill in the form with the insured person's data (full name, e-mail, contact phone number, passport details, place of residence, TIN and country of destination). At this stage, you can add information about other insured persons if you plan to travel with someone else.
4. Read the terms and conditions of the contract and confirm the policy (a special code will be sent to the specified e-mail).
5. Pay for the insurance in a way convenient for you.
The finished insurance policy will be in your mail in a few minutes. You do not need to print it out, because electronic insurance has the same legal force as paper insurance. If you have any questions in the process of applying for an insurance policy, you can contact our customer service for help (via WhatsApp or Telegram). Managers can help you choose the best insurance policy, depending on the specifics of your trip, and assist with its execution.
Apply for reliable health insurance (Europe/Worldwide) on Visit Ukraine website to feel confident and protected anywhere in the world!
Read more about the rules of insurance in our previous article. Here you will find answers to questions about the minimum and maximum number of days to apply for insurance, available payment methods, rules for changing the policy validity date, and many other nuances.
Photo: Freepik
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Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip:
Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;
Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;
Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;
Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;
Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.
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Frequantly
asked questions
Do I need insurance to travel abroad?
Do I need to print out an electronic policy?
What should I do in case of an insured event?
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