What to take into account when hiring travel assistance

It is part of the products that must be purchased for a trip abroad, but with the hope i don’t have to use it.

Perhaps this is why – those “desire not to use it” – is that few people really pay attention to what they are hiring. We talk about the travel assistance servicesan item whose demand had been growing, but which definitely became relevant with the coronavirus pandemic.

If nothing happens on a trip abroad, great. But if a major health problem arises… that’s where the question arises, since the medical costs in other countries They are usually very tall.

“The choice of assistance is very important, since a bad purchase – whether due to assistance or lack of advice – can lead to a economic loss very important, and even put health at risk in certain circumstances,” says Nicolás Saurit, founding partner of Gondo (gondo.com.ar), a tool that makes it easier to contract traveler assistance.

In this, Diego Barón, CMO & Digital of Universal Assistance, is clear: “On vacation, time is valuable“, and if you have a simple medical or dental problem, you want it resolved now, in the next few hours, not in the next few weeks, when the holidays end.”

But in addition, there is a determining economic issue – especially in times of crisis – to take into account this type of services: “The last thing you want is to spend $50,000 on a medical situation,” adds Barón, adding that Universal charges in pesos. and offers 12 interest-free installments with all banks as well as discounts on some plans.

“Hiring travel assistance is just as important as any other element in planning a trip, such as airfare or accommodation,” says Sebastián Bras Harriott, Country Manager of Assist Card Argentina, while which highlights the high costs of the health system abroad: in the United States, hospitalization per accident is around US$35,000; a sunstroke US$ 3,500. In Spain, a consultation for indigestion costs 1,500 euros.

Buying directly (without advice) or as an additional to a tourist package without taking into account the type of trip or the conditions of the traveler has a potential risk, regardless of the brand that is contracted. Added to this is that there are currently many companies and the information is usually overwhelming and confusing.

“The track record and experience of the assistance companies influence”, says Saurit. And he gives an example: in the event of an accident or major health problem in a not-so-tourist destination, it may happen that a new or poorly supported assistance does not have places to be treated without first disbursing money, or that there are delays in approval. .

One more piece of information: in the event that the company reports that it does not have agreements in the destination and that it will be reintegrateit must be considered that this refund, in general, is in pesos at the official exchange rate.

• The first step is to be clear about what type of coverage It is needed depending on the trip to be made. If you are planning to practice a sport or do risky activities, assistance must be hired for those types of outings. Otherwise, if there is a problem, it may happen that the coverage is limited.

• Same with pre-existing diseases: Even if you have been taking medication for years and the disease is chronic or “forgotten”, you must check if it is covered. “The assistance has a sum of coverage for ‘general’ assistance and limited coverage for possible events, this means that if I contract assistance for US$ 100,000 it is not equivalent to having that sum available for any eventuality,” says Saurit.

• On the other hand, it is known that there are destinations that require coverage medical to enter. One of the examples is Europe: the countries of the Schengen area ask to enter with assistance whose minimum coverage is 30,000 euros.

• “It is essential to hire travel assistance Before going on a trip; not during,” says Bras Harriott, from Assist Card Argentina.

• The frequency of trips during the year is another important piece of information. “If you are planning to take more than one trip abroad during the year, it is probably more convenient to hire a annual multiple trip coverage“he adds.

When talking about prices, Saurit says: “There are frequently promotions on most assistance, and the variables are many. But as a standard rate we can find – for a typical family – assistance for US$ 100,000 for 10 days, to the US or Europe, for prices ranging from US$ 280 to US$ 450 approximately (at the exchange rate official and without taxes).