Planning for the “worst case scenario” is not typically the first thing that comes to mind when booking vacations or business travel. But according to travel industry health experts, many travelers are often reminded while abroad that illness, injury, automobile accidents and other misfortunes can happen anywhere and anytime.

Insurance for travelers, particularly medical and medevac insurance, has significantly increased during the past eight years. Savvy globetrotters have come to understand that for many types of claims their private health insurance from the United States as well as Medicare/Medicaid will not cover any medical costs and procedures in foreign countries. In fact, in many instances travelers have been required to provide immediate payment on the spot in order to receive emergency treatment, which can dramatically exacerbate an already traumatic situation. Oftentimes there is little or no legal recourse should they become the victim of substandard medical care in a foreign country.

A medical evacuation may cost anywhere between $100,000 and $200,000 depending on the circumstances. Medevac insurance policies start at less than $2 a day, and the peace-of-mind that they offer, especially for those planning to engage in vigorous physical activity during their trip, can be significant. Some of the policies cover the cost of a transfer to the nearest adequate facility, but others include transporting patients home once they are stabilized, either via air ambulance or on standard commercial airlines, as cases permit.

Anyone with underlying medical conditions or those who are traveling to locations where medical care may be less than optimal should consider obtaining adequate medical/medevac insurance for their trip.