So you finally booked that vacation you've been dreaming about for years. But if you're traveling to a new place, it's important to remember that you will still be exposed to a range of asthma triggers, which is why it's a good idea to invest in a good travel insurance protection plan.

Finding the Right Travel Insurance for Asthma

Not all travel insurance plans are the same. Many of them exclude pre-existing conditions, so you'll need to shop around for a policy that specifically covers asthma and related health problems. This is often called pre-existing travel insurance or travel insurance for pre-existing conditions. Without this guarantee to cover pre-existing conditions, you could find that your insurance claims will be denied because you don't qualify under the terms of the plan.

You'll also want to find a plan that incorporates two different types of coverage: trip cancellation insurance and coverage for medical care. Most asthmatics need a combination of both benefits so they'll be prepared for different scenarios.

Here's a brief overview of each component:

Travel Insurance Cancellation: Trip cancellation coverage provides reimbursement for some or all of your travel expenses if you have to cancel your trip for a reason that meets the plan's specified criteria. This type of travel insurance may also provide trip interruption coverage, offering partial reimbursement if your trip gets cut short in the middle of your travel because of a medical issue or emergency or some other qualifying event.

Medical Travel Insurance: Medical travel insurance is designed to cover medical expenses you incur while you're away from home. If you'll be traveling internationally, adding such a health travel insurance benefit can provide important access to high-quality medical care that your regular medical insurance won't cover. It can also fill in the gaps for other situations that fall outside the realm of your standard health care insurance plan.

What to Expect From Travel Insurance Plans

When you apply for pre-existing travel insurance for asthma, you can expect to go through a screening process that includes answering some questions about your condition and also providing some medical information from your doctor.

Keep in mind that travel insurance for pre-existing conditions will probably cost more than other plans, but it can be worth it since odds are—you'll need to use it.

An Annual Option

If you vacation several times a year, you might consider buying an annual travel insurance plan instead of applying for a separate policy for each trip. An experienced travel agent can help you navigate through the array of options to find the best policy for your needs and your travel plans.

 

 

Sources:

"Asthma Travel Insurance: Medical Travel Insurance Guide." All Clear Travel. All Clear Insurance Services, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2011.

"Fairer Deal on Travel Insurance." Asthma UK. Asthma.org/uk, 12 Dec. 2006. 11 Web. 2011.

"Travel Health." Health Wise. Kaiser Permanente, 11 May 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2011.