| While I do daily searches on this hot topic, it seems | | | | You contact the insurance company from the policy |
| it's fizzling out pretty fast on the major travel forums | | | | you just purchased, and you pray that the person on |
| and press. | | | | the other end speaks English. Okay they do speak |
| What am I talking about? Well recently Cuba | | | | English and the next step they recommend make |
| announced that anyone entering their country as a | | | | arrangements to get you to the nearest Cuban |
| tourist and other means I will not talk about here, it's | | | | hospital. |
| now mandatory that you carry travel medical | | | | After all the tests are done, they claim it's your |
| insurance coverage prior to entering Cuba! | | | | appendix and it has serious damage. The hospital |
| Over the past couple of months the Cuban | | | | provides you medication and sends you on your way. |
| Government issued a list of authorized travel | | | | Let's fast forward. You were extremely happy that |
| insurance providers, and to my current knowledge, if | | | | you purchased the Cuban medical coverage, and your |
| your insurance company is not on their list, it will not | | | | tests and medication was covered. Your trip is over |
| be valid. | | | | and you're about to board the plane to arrive back |
| What Happens If My Travel Insurance Coverage Is | | | | into Canada. |
| Not On Cuba's List? | | | | Here's Where The Proper Travel Insurance Coverage |
| If your preferred travel insurer is not on the list, then | | | | Makes A Difference! |
| you do have the options to purchase any of the | | | | You're sitting on the plane thinking about your close |
| white listed insurance companies, or you can opt to | | | | call at the Cuban hospital, and feeling very lucky with |
| purchase medical insurance in the airport the moment | | | | your choice. Then all of a sudden, you start getting |
| you arrive in Cuba. However, we hope to have more | | | | extremely jolting pains that feel that someone knifed |
| information and details on the cost and coverage | | | | you repeatedly. |
| they will be offering, because at this time it seems to | | | | At this very moment the pain is so excruciating that |
| be somewhat vague. | | | | you yell for the flight attendant to help you, and at |
| Will This Impact Tourism To Cuba From Confused | | | | that moment the pain is so bad that you are virtually |
| Angry Canadians? | | | | passing out. Good thing the flight attendant is |
| There's no question that as each Canadian listens to | | | | recognizing your signs, and realizes that you may |
| this controversial story, no one really understands the | | | | have experienced a burst appendix. |
| true nature behind it! As a travel professional I have | | | | Having to make a quick decision, the pilots flying the |
| been selling my clients travel medical insurance to all | | | | charter flight back to Canada announce that due to |
| destinations outside Canada, including Cuba, and have | | | | the serious nature of the situation, they're going to |
| always expressed the importance of this coverage | | | | have to land in the closest available city, guess |
| when visiting countries outside of Canada. | | | | where? |
| To my knowledge, I was not aware that Cuba's | | | | You guessed it! These pilots now have to land in the |
| medical services were being offered to foreign | | | | closest city which happens to be the United States. |
| travellers for free, and in my opinion, I don't know of | | | | Wow, who would have expected this to happen? |
| any country that would be able to do such a service | | | | Probably no one, yet this is an occurrence that has |
| without losing a ton of money in the process. | | | | happened before, and can easily happen again. |
| The question on my mind and I'm sure on many | | | | The fact that you're now admitted to a United |
| others throughout the travel industry will be; how is | | | | States hospital changes everything. Does the Cuban |
| this going to impact tourism to Cuba? My guess is for | | | | medical coverage provide protection anywhere |
| travellers that love to visit Cuba year after year this | | | | outside your country, more than likely not. Do you |
| is not going to affect them. But for vacationers that | | | | now have medical insurance to cover your surgery |
| are planning to get away next winter may re-think | | | | costs and the days you may need to recover in the |
| going to Cuba and may select another vacation spot, | | | | U.S. hospital, nope! |
| such as the Dominican, Mexico, and Jamaica to name | | | | With no medical insurance coverage, you will now be |
| only a few. | | | | responsible for paying full medical costs, less what |
| I'm thinking anyone that's undecided and had Cuba on | | | | your province of residence may or may not cover. |
| their list, will be looking at the pro's and con's. I would | | | | Less than 30% off the top of my head, and of |
| be almost certain any traveller that snubbed or made | | | | course there will be restrictions to what is covered. |
| an effort to rebel against medical coverage this | | | | Let's say you were in the hospital for 4 days, which |
| would be a major deciding factor for them. | | | | includes the surgery. Do the math, because to |
| Let's Get To The Real Issue At Hand About Travel | | | | knowledge some hospitals in the United States |
| Insurance! | | | | charge somewhere between $2000 per day and up, |
| You see, in my opinion it doesn't matter to me | | | | and that doesn't include the surgery costs. I'm |
| whether a country such as Cuba issues a mandatory | | | | thinking that before you walk out the hospital door, |
| statement to carry medical insurance or not. I have | | | | your bill is going to humongous! |
| been telling my clients for years that travel medical | | | | The moral of the story here is that no matter if a |
| along with sufficient cancellation & interruption | | | | destination country now requires mandatory medical |
| coverage is crucial for anyone travelling outside of | | | | insurance or not, it's always in your best interest to |
| their country. | | | | find the best coverage that not only will protect you |
| It's not just about the country you're visiting! I love | | | | at the destination you're visiting, but also anywhere in |
| to give people true scenarios and occurrences that | | | | the world, just in case something unexpected |
| paint the reality of what could happen at any | | | | happens that's totally out of your control. |
| moment during or after a vacation. | | | | As you can see in my example, you made the smart |
| One example I talk about with passion is when a | | | | choice to purchase the Cuban medical coverage, but |
| traveller decides to visit a Caribbean Island, and we | | | | was it the smartest choice? I leave that up to you |
| will use Cuba. Let's say you made the choice to not | | | | to decide. |
| purchase a preferred Canadian travel medical policy | | | | Remember, we offer the best coverage in the travel |
| and decided to go with Cuba's local coverage. | | | | industry to date, and guess what? It's on the Cuban |
| Now you're having a great time in Cuba, and then all | | | | approval list! |
| of a sudden you start feeling extremely sharp pains. | | | | |