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| Travel Insurance Key Points |
 • Deductibles and Co-Insurance. Many travel insurance policies include these, like traditional medical insurance (that is, prior to HMOs). A deductible is the fixed dollar amount you must pay before the insurance provides any reimbursement. Co-insurance is the percentage of the covered amount that you must pay. For instance, if you buy a plan with a $500 deductible and 20% coinsurance, then later submit a $1000 claim for a covered services, you pay the first $500 (the deductible) and 20% ($100) of the second $500. The insurance will pay $400.
• Do not forget: Insurance isn't enough. Your homeowners policy protects you from financial loss, but that's not full consolation if your house burns down. That's why your town has a fire department, you have smoke detectors in your house, you're wary not to leave candles burning unattended, etc.
Same thing with Travel Insurance: purchase it, but be sure you take other steps to prevent illness and injury when traveling:
 o Get appropriate vaccinations
o Follow other precautions necessary for your destination, such as food and water precautions.
o Get to know something about the healthcare that's available in your destination, such as the names of preferred hospitals and the local emergency numbers
o Get the names of qualified, English-speaking doctors and other medical providers in your destination. The right diagnosis is normally the cheapest.
o Figure out whether in case of emergencies ambulances can be trusted to transport you. It's safer and faster to take a cab in some places.
o Explore pharmacies in your destination – are they trustworthy and open at night? If you take medication regularly pack two supplies and place one in your carry-on baggage.
o Travel with a first-aid kit
o Take copies of key portions of your medical records – your EKG, for instance.
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