When travelling out of the country, you need to prepare yourself for anything that could happen. This could include bringing rain gear or warm clothing in case the weather turns bad, or putting duplicate copies of your travel documents in your luggage in case your passport is stolen. Or in the unlikely event that your luggage is stolen at the airport. Purchasing a travel insurance policy will also cover you in case of unforeseen events.
Coverage for Medical Care
While NHS will take care of your medical needs should you get hurt while travelling in the UK, when you travel out of the country, it will not help you. However, a travel insurance policy will help cover medical expenses when you’re in an accident or fall ill while travelling in another country. Most policies will cover visiting a doctor, going to and being admitted into the hospital in emergency situations, and it may even cover repatriation expenses if your condition is serious and you need to be flown home.
Applying for Coverage
When you purchase a travel policy, you will need to fill out a health questionnaire. While most people under the age of fifty may not have issues buying coverage, older travellers and those with pre-existing medical conditions may have a harder time. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy or a history of cancer could disqualify some travellers from receiving a travel policy.
Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage
If you do have a pre-existing condition, it needs to be disclosed when applying for coverage. There are travel insurance policies which will cover your medical expenses if your condition is well controlled by medications and/or diet. Failure to disclose your condition could mean you will be billed for any medical expenses relating to your condition if you fall ill during your trip.
The exceptions to medical coverage for pre-existing conditions will depend on who the insurance carrier is. To find the best policy for your needs, it’s imperative that you read a guide to buying insurance that will cover medical conditions. The guide can help you find an affordable travel policy providing medical coverage for controlled pre-existing conditions.
Coverage for Older Travellers
Buying travel insurance for elderly travellers can be difficult, but there are carriers who offer add-on policies for older tourists. Some insurance carriers will charge a higher price for people over the age of fifty, and it can be very difficult to find coverage for those over age 65. However, if you read a travel insurance guide, you should be able to find a policy.
Additional Coverage
Along with medical care, travel insurance policies may also cover any expenses due to delays in flights, cancelled flights or activities you’ve prepaid for which were cancelled. If you have to miss your trip because of a family emergency, such as a serious illness or a death in your immediate family, then most policies will reimburse a majority of the travel expenses you’ve lost. This usually includes the cost of flights, activities, and hotel bookings.
Wherever you’re travelling out of the country, be prepared for anything by purchasing a travel insurance policy.
Rocko Berry 
Clare Louise