Limitations Of Tourist Insurance Plans

Written By: Ray Sondeo on July 6, 2009 No Comment

by Ray Sondeo

Tourist insurance policies detail out exclusion terms which list the conditions that the insured is not covered for. You may consult your policy document to gather information about exclusion, coverage terms and other exceptional conditions.

Hence, it is important to carefully read the policy document and scrutinize the terms and conditions extensively before finalizing the tourist insurance plan that you want to buy. Ensure that the exclusions do not contain terms that may be highly inappropriate to your needs.

Exclusions are generally divided into various sections which highlight different events and the specific conditions that the tourist insurance policy does not cover. For example, some of the general exclusions highlighted in any plan include events such as political resurrection, epidemics and pandemics, military action, war, terrorist attacks, nuclear accidents, and any similar activities. Others relate to any fraudulent or dishonest deeds, bankruptcy of the travel agency and losses arising due to irresponsibility of the insured.

Medical exclusions normally detail out pre-existing conditions, any medical treatment undertaken without the consent of the insurance company and also medical expenses incurred in your home country. The visitor health insurance plans do not cover the cost of routine physical examinations, immunizations, nervous or mental disorders or transplantation procedures. You cannot claim reimbursement for pregnancy, abortion, child birth, birth control, sterilization or reversal and also impotency or infertility.

Pre-existing conditions refer to any ailment, illness, injury, disease or sickness which existed while applying for the insurance or anytime for before a few years before the effective date for the insurance. This time period that the policies look back at, varies with the tourists insurance policy, and ranges from 6 months to 3 years.

Tourist insurance exclusions also state that you would not be covered for any injuries which arise during any professional sports or athletic events involving regular practice routines for a competition or games. However, coverage is available in case you participate in hazardous activities like bungee jumping, high diving, hot air ballooning, rappelling, canyoning, inline skating, caving and rock climbing. For this, the insured need to purchase a visitor health insurance rider along with the tourist insurance policy plan.

Tourist medical insurance plans do not cover any injuries, illness or treatment that are self-inflicted or arising due to substance or drug abuse, alcohol addiction, exposure to dangerous nuclear radiations or radio active materials.

It is advisable to carry the tourist insurance policy details and also the helpline assistance numbers during your trip. This would be of great use in case you would want to seek any help in a foreign land.

About the Author:

Ray Sondeo often writes about tourist insurance.