Are you planning an organised holiday with a travel agency? If so, check carefully what you are insured against. Additional policies offered by travel agencies often do not include third-party liability insurance, baggage insurance or cover for equipment you want to take with you. They do not cover reimbursement of costs if the trip is cancelled for unforeseen reasons, and they also say nothing about chronic illnesses. In the latter case, the scope of additional protection is highly advisable, given the very high costs of treatment. Health travel insurance means being sure that we will receive appropriate care wherever we are, without incurring additional costs.
Only sudden and unexpected cases
It should be taken into account that standard health insurance offered by travel agencies in holiday packages usually covers sudden and unexpected illnesses. It does not cover chronic illnesses, of which there is a very long list. Cancer, diabetes, coronary artery disease, severe allergies, respiratory conditions and osteoporosis are among the most common. The Regulation of the Minister of Health of 28 October 2011 on the list of diseases and the list of medicines and medical devices prescribed because of these diseases is the document containing the full list of all such cases (source: https://www2.mz.gov.pl/wwwmz/index?mr=m0&ms=&ml=pl&mi=904&mx=0&mt=&my=9&ma=018663). Meanwhile, insurers such as Insurance Choice explain what insurance for people with chronic illnesses should cover. If we conceal this fact from the insurer and our condition worsens during the holiday, the company may refuse to pay compensation.
Greater protection, greater expense
Choosing additional protection covering illnesses treated continuously or periodically, which leave permanent pathological changes or require special treatment and medical supervision, means having to reckon with an increase in the premium. It may be even 200–400% higher than the basic premium. You can try combining insurance against chronic illnesses with a policy covering the costs of cancelling a trip. A chronic illness follows its own course, and anything can happen. However, in this case the traveller does not have to lose out twice.