The Story of Insurance–from Goods to Eyebrows!

These days, you can purchase many types of insurance plans at a mere click of a mouse—right from visitors’ insurance to international student insurance. And you can insure pretty much anything too—from your voice, to your shapely legs, if you’d so like. But insurance wasn’t always so inclusive. The only things considered worthy of insurance were goods that were traded. The earliest concept of paying for insurance was pioneered by the Babylonians as early as the 16th century BC and was used by merchants who set out to sea. They paid an extra sum to their money lenders so that […]

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Buy Low-Priced Insurance to Avoid High Sticker Shock!

Parents of U.S. citizens often ignore the need for visitors’ health insurance when visiting the United States. If a parent has made a couple of trips to the United States with insurance and has not made a single claim, it might be very tempting to forego insurance on a forthcoming trip. The risks, however, are too huge and real to take. Let’s take the imaginary case of Mr. Paul Belowski. He figures that with his heart ailment, he might not be able to get coverage for any ailment, and goes without insurance. He ends up with an eye infection, something […]

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Gender Parity in Insurance Rates: The Raging Debate

Man and woman may have been created equal, but inequity persists, even at the level of visitors medical insurance. In fact, many health insurance plans, especially long-term health insurance plans, charge a higher premium for women than men. And why is that? Detailed actuarial studies have shown that young women tend to use more medical facilities than young men. After their 50s, though, men tend to use more medical facilities than women, owing to the onset of chronic illness such as hypertension and cardiac problems. Several states have banned the practice of gender-based insurance rates. California banned the practice recently, […]

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Insurance for Au Pairs Child’s Play

The Von Trapps may be the most famous children who had a governess, but have you ever wondered whether Maria had adequate au pair insurance or nanny insurance? It might not have been a priority then, what with the World War going on, but if you were to bring an au pair, babysitter, or nanny to the United States today, you must ensure that she/he has a valid visa, and adequate insurance. Au pairs typically enter the United States on a J1 visa, the rules for which are laid out clearly. The prospective au pair needs to gain employment through one […]

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Insurance Helps Ride the High Wave with Confidence

It is imperative for people who indulge in hazardous sports to be well informed about travel insurance. Picture this scenario: you are watching the movie ‘2012’ with every scene generating horror at the pit of your stomach, and the guy next to you shouts, ‘Wow! every time he sees a tsunami wave. Don’t take him to task for his lack of empathy’he is an avid surfer and waves have that effect on him! Surfing is one adventure sport that takes the enthusiast to all the remote corners of the world. Be it Indonesia, Australia or Peru, a surfer wants to […]

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Pre-Certifying Medical Care Under Insurance

In most visitors medical insurance and travel health insurance policies, there is a requirement for pre-certification (for medical necessity) in case of hospitalization or surgery. Pre-certification is basically a permission you need to obtain�written or oral�from the insurance company before a said procedure is performed. This is a tool used by the insurance provider to control unnecessary medical procedures. In addition to hospitalization and surgery, some insurance providers insist on pre-certification for outpatient procedures also. Please read the document carefully before purchasing the policy. Before a medical procedure is performed, your representative, doctor or hospital is required to call up […]

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Esoteric Insurance: All That Existed Earlier Is Not Pre-Existing

A pre-existing condition does not always mean lack of coverage when you purchase a short-term health insurance plan. Typically, in a short-term plan such as visitors� health insurance, the look-back period determines the coverage that pre-existing conditions are eligible for. Each U.S. state has laws that restrict the look-back period that insurance companies can mandate. So, if you had an episode of hypertension six years ago, when your daughter pierced her navel, and no symptom or episode since, you are not considered to have a pre-existing condition, under most definitions. Usually, international travel health insurance plans have a look-back period […]

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Say Cheese with Confidence after Dental Insurance

One type of insurance for visitors that is often ignored at great peril is USA dental insurance. When visiting the United States, short-term health insurance plans do not cover dental care, unless it is required after an accident. However, dental care can be an important part of a person’s health, especially if the trip is expected to last over six months. For senior citizens and those with a higher incidence of dental problems, it makes sense to purchase dental insurance if their trip will last over three months. Remember that dental care in the United States is expensive. In fact, […]

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Without Insurance, Food Allergies Leave Bad Taste

Sometimes, international travel health insurance can leave a bad taste in your mouth. Let’s say your friend is traveling to Korea. Just as she starts to enjoy the strange culinary delights of the country, all goes downhill. While eating her dessert after a heavy dinner, she is hit by a severe allergic reaction that requires her to be hospitalized. She didn’t know about her allergy, but her international travel health insurance plan does not reimburse her. As a result, she has sworn off travel insurance. Her only complaint is that she had bought insurance for precisely such a situation and […]

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The Nanny Diaries: Why Health Insurance is Necessary

Nannies provide peace of mind for couples who need help taking care of their children. To maintain that peace of mind, whether the nanny is from the United States or from another country, nanny health insurance is a must. Some nannies, especially those who are not U.S. citizens, may underestimate the need for nanny insurance, and may prefer an increase in pay instead, so that they can send money home. However, providing health insurance for the nanny is probably a better idea from your perspective and the nanny�s. Nannies who are non-U.S. citizens must purchase special insurance from specific companies […]

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