Experiencing new cultures at your own leisure is fun and easy when you explore the world on a marine adventure. It’s important to make sure that you and your crew are protected from unexpected emergencies, illness and injury when planning you maritime vacation. The best way to protect yourself and your crew prior to departure is to purchase marine crew insurance.
For US citizens, the same health insurance plan that covers you while in the US may not cover you when you are travelling abroad. Coverage that is offered by government-sponsored for non-US citizens travelling outside of their home country may not be enough to protect them. You are protected no matter where you travel within your pre-selected coverage area with an international yacht crew insurance plan.
Coverage for these plans is typically divided into two regions: Worldwide coverage that includes the US and Canada, and coverage that does not include the US and Canada. When you purchase yacht crew health insurance, benefits include coverage for hospital stays, emergency care and prescription costs.
Deductibles range from $250 per insured person, and up to $5000 for these types of plans. A maximum limit of $5,000,000 is available per insured person’s lifetime. Expensive medical services like emergency medical evacuation, maternity care and other similar services can also be included in yacht crew health insurance plans.
Depending on the plan selected, after one continuous year of marine crew insurance, members are eligible for wellness coverage. Wellness benefits are not subject to the deductible, and allow members under 19 years of age to visit the doctor for $50 per visit, or provides $250 in coverage for members who are at least 30 years old. These plans cover routine doctor visits and medical services.
When signing up for yacht crew health insurance, it’s important to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions. Pre-existing conditions include any illness, injury or mental health disorder or chronic condition you have prior to submitting the application. Not disclosing these conditions up front can result in a denial of benefits should you seek treatment for them after submitting your application.
Additional services outside of medical coverage are sometimes included in marine crew insurance. Assistance with tracking lost baggage, emergency cash transfers and referrals for legal services are valuable services provided with these types of plans.
Before you set sail, be sure that you are prepared with a marine crew insurance plan. The value that you will receive from the plan makes it well-worth the cost for anyone who will be travelling outside of their home country.
Dan Miller frequently writes about yacht crew insurance