These days, there is an increasing awareness of the importance of having travel insurance prior to setting out on a trip. Apart from covering you against medical emergencies that may arise on your trip, travel insurance also covers you against many other mishaps such as loss of passport, personal liabilities in a foreign land, loss of checked-in baggage, and so on.
Now, many travellers often wonder whether travel insurance also includes coverage for dental care. After all, getting any kind of medical procedure performed on your teeth can prove to be quite a costly affair. Dental bills can go so high in one’s own home town; it might be quite frightening to think of the costs in a foreign land!
So, does travel insurance cover dental care? If yes, what kind of coverage is offered and are there any limitations to be aware of?
Let’s find out, shall we?
Looking at dental care coverage in travel insurance
Most overseas travel insurance policies offer coverage for emergency dental procedures. These include any kind of injuries that see you needing urgent and unplanned medical treatment for your teeth.
Let’s take a look at an example – Mr Thomas Lobo is abroad on holiday. While climbing up the stairs, he suddenly misses a step, trips and falls down. Apart from the bruises on his knee that require medical attention, he also loses a tooth. This loss of a tooth qualifies as an emergency dental treatment for which he may raise a claim under his travel insurance policy.
It is important to note that the dental expenses thus incurred may have to first be paid for by Mr Lobo on his own. He may then request for a reimbursement from his travel insurance provider.
Note that planned dental treatment, which is not considered to be an emergency, is generally not covered. This means that you cannot decide to get your teeth fitted with braces abroad simply for cosmetic purposes and then get the resulting orthodontic expenses covered by your travel insurance.
There are also limits to the amount of coverage that can be claimed for such dental expenses. A good travel insurance plan will usually cover you for around $ 250 for dental work. That figure can vary between insurers.
Do bear in mind that the overall extent of coverage for dental emergencies can differ slightly between insurance companies. It is advisable to contact the insurance company before going ahead with any emergency dental treatment. Your insurer will most likely provide you with a number that you can use to reach them from overseas. Call up the insurance company and let them know you will be undergoing emergency dental work. The customer support staff will advise you on the exact steps you need to take to file a claim under your travel insurance.
We hope that this article has improved your understanding of the coverage provided for dental care in travel insurance. For policy-specific details, do speak to your insurance provider. All the best!
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