Actually Travel Agents sell this type of insurance because they know the value to the customer. There is no added cost to you for buying the policy through them. Get a quote from an agent and then price it yourself. It's the same. They need to make a living too.

Also I don't use a travel insurance policy for my medical evacuation insurance. The policy I use actually has their own doctors who determine when a patient is safe enough to be airlifted out of a foreign place, or even when they are 150 miles or more from home. Travel Insurance policies do not have that caveat. Many times the doctor in the location you are at can decide to keep you because they think they can care for you. Not how I want my medical decisions made. My doctors are in the US and they decide.

Recently had to see the ships doctor while on a two week cruise in the Caribbean. It cost me $200 out of pocket. The cruise lines just assume that you have medical insurance and that you will be reimbursed when you get home.

It is ridiculous what medical care costs. But what's worse is being away from home and getting the bill for medical evacuation (costs are upwards of $100,000). Many tour operators are now requiring clients to travel with either travel insurance or medical evacuation but also with a repatriation of remains policy in place. It can be a costly mistake to travel outside of the US without coverage. This is one of those times when paying for insurance, when hopefully you won't have to use it, really pays off.

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