Can you use your VHI Plan B Health Insurance as Travel Insurance

ECO_Mental

Hi,

From what I can see reading through my policy documents your health insurance policy will cover overseas medical cover and flights home etc if you get sick or have an accident out side of Ireland.

Therefore the only reason for taking out specific travel insurance if you already have health insurance is for your flights were canceled, bags stolen credit card stolen etc

So what I am getting at if you are not too bothered if your IPAD or camera got stolen and you report your credit cards are stolen straight away the credit card company cover any unauthorized transactions there is no need to get Travel Insurance.

I am I right or am I wrong?!

Gatica

What you're presuming sounds about right. If you're only worried about health insurance abroad, then VHI would cover you. In fact some policies offer discounts if you already have health insurance that covers you abroad up to some amount.
It's good to have travel insurance for out of pocket expenses due to an accident for example, e.g. taxi from the hospital, costs of prescription... and of course the larger things, such as delay, cancellation, someone in your family taking ill so you've to cancel trip, etc...

circular flexing

ECO_Mental wrote: »

I am I right or am I wrong?!

I think you are (mostly) wrong (but open to correction).

The VHI plan B will only cover up to €65,000 or €100,000 worth of medical expenses overseas. It will also not cover things like repatriation if you need to come home again.

If you have any health insurance, you will get a discount on travel insurance. I think we paid about 60 euro for worldwide family cover off Laya last year - well worth it.

athtrasna

If you are going to the US the minimum recommended level of health cover is one million euro. Sounds crazy but health care costs over there are scary.

Travel insurance covers so much more than just medical treatment. Repatriation, flights home in case of family emergency, theft and lots more. As the last poster said, use your health insurance to get a discounted travel insurance policy.

ECO_Mental

circular flexing wrote: »

I think you are (mostly) wrong (but open to correction).

The VHI plan B will only cover up to €65,000 or €100,000 worth of medical expenses overseas. It will also not cover things like repatriation if you need to come home again.

If you have any health insurance, you will get a discount on travel insurance. I think we paid about 60 euro for worldwide family cover off Laya last year - well worth it.

I am actually with Laya I was only using the VHI Plan B for illustrative purposes and because everybody knows this plan, but anyway just double checking my plan I am covered for €70,000 medical expenses and €2 million for repatriation.

I never got travel insurance because I always thought it was like getting that damage protection insurance they always try and sell you when you buy a TV because they know you will never claim on it and its money for Jam to them. Also since I had medical insurance I was covered for medical expenses abroad so I never saw the need in it.

I never though of getting travel insurance from my health insurance provider but doing a quick check I can get annual multi-trip insurance with winter sports for the wife and kids also for €86, so I think that is worth it alright for a bit peace of mind;).