Foreign travel health insurance in comparison

Financial test: Pay attention to the conditions of foreign health insurance

05/15/2012

The magazine Finanztest of Stiftung Warentest has tested a total of 47 international health insurance companies from different insurance companies. Only seven insurance companies achieved the predicate „very well“. Elf got the grade „Well“. All others got worse grades or failed in the investigation.

Meaningful foreign health insurance for frequent travelers
Anyone who travels abroad for work or privately or already suffers from pre-existing conditions, for whom a foreign health insurance makes sense. In case of illness, the emergency can quickly go into the money. Because statutory health insurance companies and many private full insurance, for example, do not come for a return to the home country. If a medically accompanied flight has to be undertaken, for example from Asia, Australia, South or North America, the Amublanzflug can cost up to 70,000 euros per patient. However, such a special flight is financed by many providers only if medically attested medical reasons speak for it or as appropriate „be considered meaningful“. Thus, consumers should study all contracts carefully before signing, as experts emphasize from financial test. Often subtle phrasing is hidden in the fine print, which is not always easy to understand for laymen. Before a contract is concluded, the help of independent experts, such as the Consumer Centers, should always be sought.

On conditions and „Exclusions health“ respect, think highly of
The return transport flights and their conditions are according to the financial tester „the sticking point“ for most contracts. In addition, insured should pay close attention to other conditions. Some insurers close under the point „Exclusions health“ different circumstances. According to the test, the following exclusions are common: certain pre-existing conditions, maximum age, co-insurances of children or emergency care of children if the parents are no longer able to take care of the well-being of the children due to a serious illness.

Noteworthy are also the general conditions of the policies. For example, insured persons should pay attention to whether the insurer waives the mandatory deductible. Also increasingly important are therapies that are not conventionally used, but often have an effect on serious illnesses. Accordingly, it must be ensured that the insurance provider finances not only conventional medicine but also remedies or methods that have proven to be beneficial in practice.

Good international health insurance does not have to be expensive
The Stiftung Finanztest considers the costs to be positive. Good international health insurance does not have to be expensive, contrary to some assumptions. Also with the with „very well“ Foreign insurance companies that are rated cost, among other things, the policies for families „Ergo directly“ and Neckermann only 17.80 euros. For single travelers can already have a very good travel health insurance for 7.50 Euro „Inter“ be acquired. This was also with the grade „very well“ been rated and was the cheapest in the segment.

Test winner was the Würzburg international health insurance with the „Dream score 0.9“. According to testers, the insurer has once again improved the terms of the contract since the last financial inquiry. All results and other details can be found in the June issue of the journal Finanztest. (Sb)

Also read:
No free health insurance abroad

Picture: Rudolf Ortner