Travel insurance provides protection against travel and health risks when you are out of your home country. It is an essential travel necessity, because you just never know what can happen. If you have to go to the hospital or doctor, it can be extremely costly without it, especially in a country like USA. However, insurance policies don’t cover everything, so it is important to understand the exclusions of your policy.

Travel insurance plans usually include exclusions, which are the services they do not insure. Here are the most common travel insurance exclusions that must be considered when buying travel insurance. It is useful to understand what they mean for you. Plus, it is a great aspect to consider when comparing policies. Pricing differences may be a result of some of these exclusions.

Top Visitors Insurance Exclusions That May Result In Denial Of Claims

1. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

If you have a pre-existing condition, most visitor insurance policies do not cover a recurrence. However, there are some policies that include coverage for an unexpected outbreak, acute, or sudden reoccurrence of a pre-existing medical condition. It happens without warning and without recommendations from a doctor or any symptoms. Other characteristics to consider include the duration of the incident, rapid progression, and need for immediate care. It has to occur after the start of the policy, and you have to be treated within 24 hours of this outbreak.

It is recommended to have a travel insurance with acute-onset of pre-existing conditons which may come handy in the event of a sudden and unavoidable occurrence or reoccurrence of a pre-existing condition.

2. Hazardous or Adventure Sports Activities

There is a greater risk involved when travelers are involved in extreme sports, hazardous sports, or high-risk sports. Most insurance companies won’t cover these types of injuries for this reason. If you are injured while participating in one of these types of sports, your insurance company will not usually cover your medical expenses. However, you may be able to add this coverage to your policy for an additional fee.

3. War or Terrorism Coverage

Most policies do not cover injuries that have occurred because of an act of war or terrorism. There are some policies that include protection for you when you are injured during an attack. It is important to see if this is one of the exclusions when purchasing a policy. This is an exclusion to consider when choosing a policy. However, you may be able to add this coverage for an extra cost.

4. Preventative Care

Most insurance policies do not cover routine checkups, physical exams, immunizations, flu shots or other preventative treatment and maintenance services. They are designed to cover you in the case of an emergency, unforeseen illness, or injury. However, these can easily be taken care of before your trip or soon after your return. It is advised to make sure that you have gotten your routine check-up and immunizations before traveling.

5. Prenatal and Maternity Services

Medical costs for prenatal, maternity, or childbirth are not usually covered under travel insurance. Most doctors advise against traveling close to your due date or recently after having the baby, but if you have to travel, take care of checkups and other medical concerns prior to traveling. Plus, if you have any complications with the pregnancy, your visitor insurance will likely not cover that either. This is something that you want to consider when choosing the right policy for your next trip. So, why should pregnant women buy travel insurance if pregnancy is not covered.

6. Major Dental Surgeries or Treatment

Visitors insurance does cover some dental treatment during your travel, but this excludes surgery and other major treatment. Make sure to properly read your policy documents before you go on your trip. Major dental treatments should be done before or after you get back. Dental injuries from snowboarding, skiing, or other risky activity is usually excluded from your policy as well. Some emergency dental treatment may be covered, but each policy will be different

7. Vision Treatment

Visitors insurance may not cover any eye treatment. This includes the purchase of glasses or contacts, even if you lose them. Unfortunately, it is up to you to bring along spares or to pay for the replacement of any eye wear. If you need treatment related to your eye that falls under medical treatment and not vision insurance, you may be able to get it covered under your visitors policy. Read carefully through your policy documents for more restrictions and exclusions regarding eye treatment.

Other Visitors Insurance Exclusions:

• Losses due to a venereal disease, such as AIDS
• Losses due to bad weather
• Losses due to mental, nervous, or psychological disorders, such as depression or anxiety
• Losses due to radioactive contamination or nuclear radiation
• Medical conditions that have occurred under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Medical Conditions that have been incurred while breaking the law
• Losses to pay for medical expenses incurred for medical treatment
• Dental care or vision care
• Cosmetic treatments
• Specific medical conditions, such as foot issues, cancer, skin disease, or a urinary tract infection
• Political Evacuation

Pre-Certification for Medical Treatments

If you are traveling and find out that you need a major surgery or other treatment, certain policies will require pre-certification in order to cover it. At least 48 hours before the treatment begins, you or your doctor will need to contact the travel insurance carrier to request coverage for that service. If it is approved, you can go ahead with the treatment. If it is not approved, any claims will be denied. If you can determine medical necessity for any of the above exclusions, you may be able to get pre-certified for treatment.

To avoid getting your claim denied or not having the coverage that you need, you should always read the policy details and look out for these types of exclusions. That way you can properly assess your needs and make sure that the policy covers what you want it to. When you have the option to add on additional services that better suit your needs, it is advised that you do so. That way you won’t have to pay huge medical bills in case of an emergency.