I had a call from a client in Salt Lake City, UT. She was ready to sign up for an escorted Europe tour. Her concern was to have ample insurance coverage, both medical and baggage, while traveling through Europe.

She wanted to know if the Europe Travel Medical Insurance offered by the Europe tour operator provided ample insurance. Well I said the answer to this question depends on many things, and each person needs to carefully select insurance for their specific needs.

I asked the following 3 questions:

1.) Are you currently on Medicare or does your current medical insurance policies apply overseas?
I have experienced in the past that most of my clients report that their medical insurance, PPO or HMO do not provide coverage overseas, but it is always prudent to check with your current medical insurance provider to see if you might be covered overseas. If they do cover for overseas travel, then also double check if they cover evacuation, as that usually is not covered. Most supplemental party insurance providers put limits on evacuation to a maximum of $5000 for a return international air ticket back home. In many cases last minute international air tickets can cost much more. In my past experience, the policy provided by most tour operators provided ample medical insurance when someone is hospitalized and needs to be evacuated (flown back home to the states.) Based on my client's situation they were on Medicare so that was one reason to seek supplemental Europe medical travel insurance, since Medicare does not extend benefits internationally.

2.) How often do you travel internationally?
If you travel internationally often, (or even just 3 times per year) it might be cheaper to go with an annual policy instead of the one offered by the tour operator. In many cases these policies cover you for all travel for a full one year period. Since I am a travel agent, I personally have one of these policies and they are great! Now based on my client's trip, they are planning to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary and this will be their only international trip this year, so again the Europe travel medical insurance offered by the Europe tour operator provided what they needed for this one trip they were taking.

3.) Do you have any pre-existing conditions?
Many 3rd party travel medical insurance providers limit the amount of any pre-existing condition coverage unless you paid significantly more to upgrade the coverage, and some did not even cover pre-existing coverage. With many tour operators you are able to cover pre-existing conditions when you purchase the insurance at time of deposit. Currently, my client said she did have diabetes but she has it under control. Again I reminded her that since her condition could be considered a pre-existing condition with the remote possibility it could get worse, purchasing the insurance from the Europe tour operator at the same time she pays her deposit would cover this pre-existing condition.

Based on the above answers to my three questions I highly recommended to my clients to take the Europe travel medical insurance that is offered by the tour operator, instead of going with supplemental insurance from someplace else, this way they not only get a customized tour, but they are also getting a customized insurance policy! I have been asking these same questions for many years, and 9 times out of 10 my clients and I agree to opt for the insurance provided by the Europe tour operator.

To learn more about Europe medical travel insurance as well as additional resources and tips on planning a trip to Europe please visit http://escortedeurope.blogspot.com