insurance
Travel Insurance and Health – Pre-Existing Conditions
Medical Pre-existing Conditions
Pretty much any medical condition or disability is referred to in insurance circles as a pre-existing condition. This can affect both the cost and availability of any travel insurance policy. All relevant information needs to be disclosed to the insurance company, or they may well refuse to pay any claim if one occurs.
Whilst it depends on the condition, most insurance companies have a pretty thorough screening process to make sure that they understand the individual’s situation properly, and can make a real risk assessment as such. They do want to offer insurance if possible, but won’t if they feel it is too much of a risk.
It is worth remembering that insurance companies are in the business of risk, and are able to assess the potential likelihood of someone needing help whilst overseas perhaps more accurately than the individual themselves.
Anyone with any type of medical condition would be well advised to talk to their GP first before organising or embarking on any trip, both to manage the practicalities of the trip in terms of medication and assistance, and also to make sure that the trip is a good idea in terms of their health situation.
Below are some articles relating to the most common pre-existing medical conditions that that affect people applying for travel insurance.
High Blood Pressure and Travel Insurance
Health Insurance
Health insurance is a feature of most modern-day healthcare systems, although its usage varies from country to country.
In some countries like the United Kingdom health insurance and private medical treatment is on the periphery of how people access healthcare, whilst in other countries like the United States it is the bedrock of how people can access all types of medical treatment.
This is important because people often confuse health insurance with travel insurance, as well as personal accident insurance.
Generally speaking, a health insurance policy will not cover someone outside of their own country, although there are some exceptions to this.
All types of health insurance policies are designed to cover some type of medical treatment as well as a possible stay in hospital. Terms, conditions and costs vary widely depending upon the type of policy that is in place.
The benefits of a health insurance policy are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, which will carefully stipulate how and when medical treatment may be obtained by the policyholder.
People recognise that health insurance may only apply within their own country, but also believe that policies can be extended to cover treatment abroad.
This can lead to real problems, especially in the field of what is known as medical tourism where people travel abroad for elective or planned medical treatment in another country because it will be considerably cheaper than in their own.
A health insurance policy will not normally cover this cost, and medical tourism is virtually always excluded from travel insurance as well which can have serious and unexpected costs and logistical problems.
If people are unsure, they should talk to their health insurance provider as to what type of coverage if any might be included for overseas travel, and if any doubt to arrange a significant travel insurance policy as well.
Do you need travel insurance for Jamaica?
Travel Insurance for Jamaica.
Jamaica is often referred to as the crown jewel of the Caribbean and is a hugely popular tourist destination. For many people it is a once-in-a-lifetime holiday and having proper travel insurance is a key element in making sure of having a fantastic experience.
Cost
Most trips to Jamaica are likely to be for a few weeks and are likely to be family holidays as well.
The cost of these holidays, in terms of air travel and accommodation, as well as other spending on leisure activities can be significant. It is really important to have some travel insurance in place that can provide some degree of financial protection in the event the holiday is cancelled or cut short.
Most travel insurance policies have sections that cover the cost of cancellation, for a variety of different reasons, although there are normally quite strict terms and conditions.
Airlines
Jamaica is well-serviced by all the major Airlines including Virgin Airways, American Airlines, Aer Lingus etc, and flights can come at a cost.
Return flights from the UK to Kingston come in at around £1000, from Berlin at around £1200/1300, and much cheaper from the USA where flights from New York come in at around £300/400. Prices as of June 2023 and in sterling to show comparison prices.
Airline delays and cancellations are frequent due to the poor weather conditions that can affect all airlines, again having proper travel insurance can help offset some of the financial and practical problems that can occur as a result of these delays.
Sports and Activities
Jamaica is famous for its range of sports and activities especially water sports, drawing many enthusiasts all year round to experience its fantastic beaches and seafronts.
Some other most common water sports include :
- Banana boating
- Canoeing
- Jet skiing
- Kite surfing
- Scuba diving surfing
- White water rafting
It’s important to remember that travel insurance policies will include and exclude certain specific types of sports and activities, and this varies across the industry.
Please check your travel insurance policy to make sure which are covered and which are not before taking part in any.
Some enthusiasts will also bring their sporting equipment, which can be quite valuable and may need specific insurance.
Many travel insurance companies will provide specific add-on policies or endorsements for specific activities such as kite surfing, which will need to be taken out before undertaking the holiday.
Valuables Travel Insurance
People take valuables with them on holiday, such as laptops, iPhones, cameras, jewellery etc.
Unfortunately, these are all the items that are targeted by thieves and tend to be the most common areas of crime in Jamaica.
Having travel insurance to cover this eventuality can help minimise the shock or trauma if this happens. A condition of the travel insurance policy would be that the policyholder or their family need to show responsible behaviour.
This can be a slightly contentious phrase, but it means that people have to show common sense and look after their belongings especially items of value that could be lost or stolen.
In this regard, it is a good idea for people to be aware of the local laws and customs, which can sometimes give rise to unintended disputes which can escalate into more serious problems
Medical Costs
One of the main benefits of all travel insurance policies is to provide a level of coverage for any medical treatment that may be needed during the trip.
Jamaica has good medical facilities, although like any country the quality can vary over the island.
One thing that is important to know is that several clinical providers including some hospitals requirement of cash up front, with the policyholder claiming the money back from the insurance company afterwards.
This can be quite a shock to people who may not realize that some countries have this approach, and expect that the insurance company will deal directly with the hospital or physician.
If concerned please talk to the travel insurance company when taking out the policy and check what their experience with these situations is.
Health
Whilst Covid has ceased to be on the front page every day as it were, it remains a major health issue and Jamaica will have specific policies in terms of checking Covid symptoms, testing people and any possible potential quarantine measures if things start to get serious.
It is important to check actual travel insurance policy covers you in all these eventualities, and any other health concerns, such as vaccination requirements, especially for yellow fever. These may be a condition of entry to the country.
Safety
Jamaica is not necessarily on many people’s radar before they go, in terms of what is happening in the country, so it is a good idea to check what is happening in terms of safety issues and health risks
Like a lot of countries, Jamaica can have its dangerous areas, especially for tourists and it is a really good idea to check the current situation before you go.
Checking the advice on the national government websites is a really good place to start as it contains several different sections all these areas that are kept pretty much up to date.
This advice should include checking if a visa is needed and what passport requirements they may be in terms of length and validity. Countries have different requirements in these areas and it is important to check out what they are before travelling.
Jamaica Cares
The Jamaica Cares program is mandatory of all non-Jamaican passport holders, whether they have travel insurance or not.
Backpacker Travel Insurance
Backpacking has become more mainstream in recent years, and many policies will cover people from an age of 17 or 18, through to when they are 60.
Policies can be for up to a year or 18 months, and are intended for people wanting a break from their career, prior to their retirement. Some policies will include an option to return home a few times, for a limited period during this length of the policy.
Personal Accident Insurance
Personal Accident Insurance
Personal Accident Insurance is a type of insurance policy widely used both domestically and when travelling abroad for any reason.
It can normally be used in conjunction with a travel insurance policy, but it is important to understand the differences between the two.
A personal accident policy is designed to provide benefits in the event of death or serious injury to the policyholder or their family.
This usually includes :
- Accidental death
- Permanent disability by way of accident
- Temporary disability by way of accident
- Loss of various limbs by way of accident
- Loss of use of certain parts of the body temporarily
- Cash payment relating to staying in hospital ( usually own country only)
These benefits will all have specific cash sums allocated to them, and there will be very specific exclusions to the policy which normally include the following :
- Any type of illness or sickness unrelated to any accident that might have happened
- Any type of self-harm or self-inflicted injuries
- Anything that constitutes dangerous or reckless behaviour, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Professional sports, as well as a lot of what is considered dangerous sports, which the policy would spell out.
- Any type of pre-existing condition
These exclusions are meant to make it clear in one sense that these benefits are different from what might be expected under a normal travel insurance policy.
They are designed to be of value to the policyholder purely in the event of an accident, to provide some financial help in what could be an overwhelming emotional situation.
Some travel insurance policies will include some or all of the benefits normally associated with a personal accident policy as part of their standard benefits. Others will offer them as an additional option to purchase
Government Travel and Health Advice
Most national governments will provide specific travel advice for people travelling overseas to most countries in the world.
This advice will include information on safety and security in specific countries, entry requirements of whether or not a visa is required, any specific travel warnings and the latest information on coronavirus and any other current medical-related issues.
All this advice is useful for anyone travelling abroad for any reason, for any length of time, and people should sign up for email alerts which are normally offered by the government website as well, say that they can be aware if any situation suddenly changes, and the government advisor changes as well.
From the point of view of travel insurance, the insurance company expects people to comply with any recommendations issued by the government that are contained on the government website.
This specifically and mainly applies to any government advice not to travel to a particular country, or a particular area of a country if there are real security concerns.
Failure to follow this advice could potentially validate someone’s travel insurance policy.
Different countries have different perspectives on the world, and their travel advice websites might differ depending upon their view of what is going on in another country.
For this reason, it is a good idea to look at other countries’ websites to see the advice they offer on the country that you may be visiting, the case the risk assessment or threat intelligence differs.
Below or some of the main English-speaking government websites, including where applicable health-related websites that may be part of a national government.
UK Government
- Foreign Travel Advice
- NHS Travel Health Advice
- NHS Travel Vaccinations
- Travel Insurance
- Help and Services around the World
Canada Government
- Travel Advice
- Travel Outside Canada
- Assistance Outside Canada
- Travel Health – Vaccinations, Health and Safety
USA Government
- Travel Advisories
- International Travel
- Travel Health Notices – CDC
- Medical tourism – CDC
- Traveler Advice – CDC
Australia Government
- Travel Advice – Smartraveller
- Travel Health
- Health Direct
- Travelling with Medicines
- Medical Treatment Overseas Program
- Yellow Fever Vaccination
- Travel Insurance
New Zealand Government
- Travel Advisories and Alerts
- Health and Travel
- When Things Go Wrong
- Travel Insurance
- Security Advice
South Africa