How much medical insurance do you really need?

[Cameo]

I am comparing travel insurances and am wondering, if something should happen (heaven forbid), how much medical insurance would one really need? The quotes I'm getting back are either 50,000 or 500,000. There is a $70 difference in cost. Just curious if anyone has ever heard of someone using this insurance for a huge medical bill.

 

[floridaminnie]

Before bing the insurance...check with your health insurance provider to see if they provide service out of the country. Don't want double coverage.

 

[TheWog]

determine if evacuation is part of the medical or it is its own listing. that is probably the most expensive part, flying you out by helicopter or from a foreign country. $500,000 seems like a lot unless it includes all the various coverages under one sum.

 

[kcashner]

I'll echo...check your health insurance policy. Some cover expenses out of the US, some don't. Some will cover a helicopter evacuation, some won't.

A helicopter evacuation from the ship can run $20-25K depending on exactly where the ship is, etc. $500,000 is a lot of insurance--consider that many policies have a 1 million lifetime benefit. However, 50,000 is an amount that can very realistically be reached in a few days, especially if it involves an evacuation.

Reality is that you need coverage for just about anything that can happen for 24 hours. By then, you will probably be back in the US. However, again check--will your health insurance kick in as soon as you are "back home?" I know it gets picky, but things can happen. That's when the insurers bring out the fine print!