Travel insurance is not one of our priorities when we are preparing for a vacation, dreaming about the beach and a vacation with a view of the sea waves. Our travelers still wonder if it is necessary for us, when we can take a home pharmacy and insure ourselves against colds, sunstroke and similar troubles. However, there are situations in which we cannot rely on self-treatment. Allergic reactions, toothaches, sudden injuries, severe sunburn are just some of the situations that can ruin your vacation. There is also free health insurance in countries with which Serbia has signed an agreement. There are currently 20 countries on the list, including Austria, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, Montenegro, Turkey and others. However, Greece is not on that list, so when you travel to your favorite Serbian holiday destination, we still recommend that you pay for insurance. In this text, we provide you with basic information that you should keep in mind.
Insurance coverage
Insurance policy coverage depends on the chosen package of the insurance company. With most insurance companies, there are three packages of travel health insurance: standard, medium and VIP package. Most travelers opt for the standard package for an insured sum of up to 30,000 euros. This policy covers outpatient treatment, including going to the doctor for diagnosis and prescription of drugs (this includes ultrasound and X-ray) and the purchase of drugs and necessary medical supplies. For more serious interventions, it also covers transportation to the nearest health facility and hospital treatment. In addition, minor dental interventions are included, and in the last case, transportation to the country of residence due to a sudden illness or injury is also covered. The packages differ in the insured amount, that is, the costs that will be provided to you in the event of an accident. More expensive packages also cover urgent delivery of medicines that you cannot get yourself at your destination, finding lost luggage and rerouting it, administrative assistance due to loss or theft of travel documents, as well as translation services.
Indicative insurance prices
Whether you are traveling alone, as a couple or as a family, insurance prices are very affordable compared to the amount you would pay for treatment abroad without a policy. There is a possibility of payment for one person, group or family. For example, a family of four can buy a standard insurance policy for a ten-day stay in Greece at a price of around 30 euros, while the price for each subsequent coverage package will be increased by around 20 euros. The price of the same policy per person would be around ten euros.
Duration of insurance
The travel health insurance contract must be concluded before leaving for the trip. It is important that you cover all the days of your stay abroad with insurance, not only at the final destination. The insurance starts at 00:00 on the day specified in the insurance contract as the start date, provided that the premium has been paid on that day, and ends at 24:00 on the day specified in the insurance contract as the expiration date. With most insurance companies, you can also buy a policy online, so you don't have to wait at the counter and waste time unnecessarily. It is enough to enter your personal data, along with the mandatory passport number of each insured person, and you will receive a confirmation of the paid policy by email. Be sure to save the policy on your phone, and you can also print it and keep it as part of the documentation.
How does insurance work?
The policy is extremely simple to use. If you are traveling independently and do not have a guide available to explain the details, it is enough to follow the instructions on the policy that you received with the payment or that was sent to you by e-mail after the online payment. Basically, you need to call the customer center, provide your details and describe the case in order to receive further instructions. It is important that you know that, instead of the insured person who needs help, the call can be made by someone else. You will receive instructions on which institution to contact, as well as additional information. After receiving medical assistance, you pay for the service yourself, but keep the fiscal invoice and medical documentation confirming the illness so that the amount will be refunded upon your return to Serbia. Some insurance companies allow you to settle everything on the spot so you don't have to keep receipts for refunds.
Travel insurance for pregnant women
According to the rule book, pregnancy is considered a condition that could require long hospital treatment soon after arriving abroad, and therefore, pregnant women cannot be issued a certificate of health insurance either before the trip or after the intervention. Likewise, it should be borne in mind that if a pregnant woman uses maternity leave due to a high-risk pregnancy, according to the rulebook, she may not leave her place of residence, and therefore not travel abroad or around Serbia. Private insurance companies have different rules for insuring pregnant women. While some have a limit on the week of pregnancy (in most cases it is the 28th week) and the age of the pregnant woman (up to 37 years old), there are also houses that insure all pregnant women, at a slightly higher price. This means that you should ask about which insurance company offers the best and most suitable solution for you before you go on your trip.
Note:
When you conclude the Insurance Agreement and sign the policy, be sure to read the Insurance Conditions. You will have both the coverage included in this type of insurance and the exclusions (so that there are no 'surprises'). No one can oblige you to pay travel insurance, because it is your right and your decision. No matter how much you think that "nothing bad can happen", we advise you not to cross the border without a policy, especially if you are traveling with children. We often like to say that it is the best 'wasted' money. It is also advisable to keep a document that accompanies the policy, and it explains all the provisions of the policy itself. Browse the websites of insurance companies and choose the package that suits you best. And have a good trip!
