Are you planning a ski vacation? Therefore the Federation of Insured Persons (BdV) strongly recommends travel medical insurance abroad. “It covers the costs of treatment abroad that are not covered by health insurance,” says board member Bianca Boss. An important addition is the protection against accidents and search, rescue and recovery costs through private accident insurance.
The BdV describes the return transport as a real cost trap. Because even if the statutory health insurance (GKV) pays for treatment abroad due to an existing social security agreement, it does not pay for any transport within Germany that may be necessary.
“If, for example, a skier suffers a serious injury in a fall and therefore has to return home, he would have to bear the costs of repatriation himself. For this very reason, it is highly advisable to take out additional private travel medical insurance for your stay abroad,” says Boss. Incidentally, the same could also apply to privately insured persons.
However, consumer advocates admit that people with chronic illnesses may have trouble getting health insurance for overseas travel. So you should definitely contact your health insurance company before travelling.
You should also pay attention to whether the insurer has written alcohol or drug clauses into the contract. If so, you already risk insurance coverage if you boo a beer at the shelter. So it’s best to check first.
Other important insurances for a white week are:
- Liability Insurance: Pays if you harm other people while practicing winter sports
- Accident Insurance – pays out if you suffer permanent damage as a result of an accident. According to the BdV, it should be ensured that they also cover the costs of search, rescue and recovery operations in the event of an accident. He recommends an insurance sum of between 25,000 and 30,000 euros
- Work and disability insurance – pay a pension if you can no longer work due to an accident
