- Olga Valentinovna, unfortunately, many of our tourists have a very vague idea of what kind of "beast" an insurance policy is...
- Let's probably start the conversation with the definition of basic concepts. The Law of Ukraine "On Insurance" defines that an insurance policy is a form of contract for a certain type of insurance between the insurer (insurance company) and the policyholder (individual or legal entity). The sum insured (amount of liability) is the amount within which the insurer is liable, that is, within this amount the policyholder receives payment from the insurer upon the occurrence of an insured event. The insurance premium (insurance payment, insurance contribution) is the amount that the policyholder pays for insurance.
- Is insurance for tourists a mandatory requirement?
- Insurance for those traveling abroad is a voluntary type of insurance. But in the Law of Ukraine "On Tourism", Article 16 states that all subjects of tourist activity are obliged to insure tourists traveling abroad. In addition, at present, embassies and consulates of many foreign countries make it a mandatory requirement for obtaining a visa to have an insurance policy with a certain sum insured. For example, for all Schengen area countries, this amount must be at least 30,000 euros. In the near future, the Baltic countries will also introduce such a requirement.
Some states, for example the USA, Australia, and Japan, do not require insurance. But on the other hand, the cost of medical services in these countries is very high, and a tourist who suddenly falls ill risks incurring very large expenses. And your vacation is coming to an end, and the required amount is not available... Therefore, all travel companies necessarily insure their clients. True, the concept of voluntariness of this type of insurance also includes the fact that a tourist can take out insurance independently. No one can force a person to buy a policy only from the insurance company offered by the travel agency.
- Now many companies provide medical insurance for their employees. Can they be used when traveling abroad for rest?
- Ordinary medical policies are not intended for use by tourists traveling in Ukraine or abroad. Insurance programs for tourists are designed for the case of sudden illness or accident during a tourist trip. They have a specific purpose, they are much cheaper than voluntary medical programs, and they are valid only during the trip.
- Tell us more about these programs.
- The most common among people traveling abroad and among travel companies is the "Medical Assistance" program. It provides compensation for medical and other expenses arising from sudden illness or accident. The main advantage of the program is full support for a person who has had an accident or sudden illness abroad. Emergency medical care, payment for all medicines purchased with a doctor's prescription and prescribed tests and treatment procedures, hospitalization (if necessary) and the insured's stay in the hospital are paid by the insurance company directly to the medical institution. Evacuation or repatriation to the homeland is also at the company's expense.
We can supplement this basic program, at the policyholder's request, with a number of additional services - for example, evacuation to the homeland of the children of an ill insured person, a visit to him by relatives, or a trip of an employee to replace a sick person on a business trip abroad (such an insurance program is usually chosen by corporate clients). There is a program for motor tourists - for example, towing a broken car, delivering spare parts, or providing legal services in case of an accident...
- On average, how much does an insurance policy for someone traveling abroad cost?
- The cost of the policy depends on the sum insured (from 5,000 to 50,000 euros) and the validity period of the insurance (from one day to one year). For example, the "Medical Assistance" program for a 14-day trip to Egypt (required sum insured - 5,000 euros) will be 16 hryvnias per person. True, provided that this tourist does not belong to the so-called risk group. This group includes elderly people (over 65 years old) and children under three years old, as well as travelers for whom there is an increased risk - skiers or construction workers. So if a 70-year-old grandmother with a two-year-old grandson goes to Egypt for two weeks, the cost of their insurance will double, that is, it will be 32 hryvnias per person.
- What would you advise those who travel abroad independently to pay attention to?
- People travel abroad not only for tourist purposes, but also on business trips or under employment contracts. The longer you plan to stay abroad, the more seriously you need to approach the issue of insurance. You should not choose insurance policies with a minimum coverage amount: if something serious happens to you, you will find yourself without proper economic protection.
Currently, OVIRs offer the purchase of so-called annual insurance policies costing $50. But note: the validity period of such policies is usually only 30 days from the moment of crossing the border. That is, if a person, having gone abroad, breaks his leg a week later, he will be able to use this insurance. But if the same case happened, say, six months after leaving abroad, the insurance will no longer be valid.
Another subtle point: the presence in the insurance terms of the so-called deductible - the amount that the policyholder himself reimburses in the event of an insured event. For example, the deductible amount is $100. You went on vacation abroad and suddenly fell ill. You called a doctor, he examined you, prescribed medication, and referred you for an electrocardiogram. As a result, the bill for medical services amounted to, say, $130. So, according to the deductible clause in your policy, $100 of that amount you pay yourself, and only the remaining $30 is covered by your insurance company.
Therefore, the main advice: when purchasing an insurance policy, always carefully study everything it includes. Our company, for example, has developed 11 insurance programs for those traveling abroad. So there is always a choice!
• For those who care about their health, almost all borders are open today. Our compatriots now have access to the best clinics in Germany, Austria, Israel, and many other countries, where they can undergo diagnostics, examinations, and, if necessary, treatment itself. Preliminary information about such opportunities can be obtained on specialized websites.