With more and more people choosing staycations over traveling abroad, one very important factor is being increasingly overlooked – insurance. When you travel overseas, most people wouldn’t dream of setting foot outside of the country uninsured. Traveling within the USA doesn’t bring the same kind of urgency to get cover with it. However, depending on the medical insurance that you currently have and the states that you plan to travel to, you could find yourself in a sticky situation if you’re injured or harmed during your trip. Here’s what to do if you are injured whilst traveling in the U.S.
#1. Check Your Medical Insurance:
Your medical insurance policy may cover you for any medical bills that arise as a result of an injury when you are traveling within the U.S. Check your policy before you leave to ensure that it extends to the states that you will be visiting. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you have to pay medical bills for an injury because you didn’t realize your medical insurance wouldn’t cover you elsewhere in the country. It’s a good idea to amend your policy before you set off if needs be – some medical insurers will offer temporary cover for travel within the U.S., which is always worth enquiring about.
#2. Get Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance isn’t just for traveling overseas. You can find several policies which will cover you for travel in your home country as well. Whether you’re taking a road trip with friends or family, traveling to a different state for an event, festival or a wedding, or simply taking some time to explore on your own, a travel insurance policy that covers you for travel within all areas of the U.S. is definitely worth considering for your peace of mind.
#3. Know a Good Personal Injury Lawyer:
When traveling, we can be injured or hurt through no fault of our own. For example, you might end up with an injury from a bus accident or hurt yourself at the hotel, or even in the store shopping – anything could happen, so it’s worth having the contact details for a good personal injury lawyer who can provide you with advice on what to do next and how to go about maximizing your chance of getting compensation. If you’re injured through no fault of your own whilst traveling in the U.S., a good personal injury lawyer can help you claim back the costs of medical bills, disruption of travel plans, and much more.
#4. Be Prepared:
Last but not least, the best way to ensure you can swiftly deal with illnesses and injuries whilst traveling is to be fully prepared before you go. In addition to adjusting or taking out relevant insurance policies, do some research into local hospitals and clinics before you leave so that you know exactly where to get medical attention if needed. Take a first aid kit with you, too – this will make it easier for you to treat any minor injuries on your own.
Stay safe on your travels!