By: Omar Kaywan, Co-founder & Chief Growth Officer at Goose Insurance
Golf has been one activity that many people have still been able to enjoy during Covid, but most people have been playing close to home and avoiding travel. As life returns to normal and dream golf trips are booked, one thing Covid has made many people realize is they need to make a plan before traveling about what they will do if they are sick or injured.
Golf may not seem like a sport where many people get injured, yet an estimated 40,000 golfers seek emergency treatment due to injuries caused by errant golf balls and flying club heads. And according to a study published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, golf carts are responsible for as many as 15,000 injuries per year.
What many people don’t realize is that while they may be able to go to an emergency room or doctor to have a golf related illness or injury treated in a different state or country, they’re looking at an out-of-pocket medical expense that could put them in major debt. Traveling outside of state lines, let alone of the country, doesn’t always mean your health insurance covers injury or illness treatment.
According to UnitedHealthcare, the average emergency room visit in the US costs $2,200 without insurance. A knock on the head by a golf ball flying at speeds over 100 mph could easily result in stitches, with an average rate of $260-$460. Meanwhile broken bones from a slip and fall down the course, including surgery, can cost around $10,000.
But instead of sticking to the green in their backyard to stay safe, golfers can confidently travel, and play, on different courses simply by looking into travel medical insurance. An insured trip is just as important as how you swing the club. However not all travel medical insurances are equal.
These are a few specific things you should look for in a travel medical insurance:
Trip cancellation and interruption protection
With the air travel chaos that has erupted recently, this is even more essential. Make sure any travel insurance the travel insurance you choose covers cancellations/interruptions caused by airlines and make sure it can cover your own illness or injury that might prevent you from going on your trip,
Emergency medical services
Whether you’re taking a golf ball to the face, a joyride in a golf cart goes wrong, or you balance falls you while walking across the course, heading to the emergency room doesn’t have to drain your bank account. Look for travel medical insurance policies that cover emergency medical care, evaluation and transportation to ensure every aspect of a trip to the ER or doctor will be covered and you won’t be expected to cover the costs. Look into how much the insurance will pay as well and keep in mind the average cost of common injuries.
Pre-existing condition waiver
Pre-existing medical illnesses or injuries are common, look for a travel medical insurance plan that has a waiver for any pre-existing conditions you might have. If the condition causes you cancel your tip, your insurance can reimburse you for the travel costs. This way you won’t find yourself losing money on a trip you’re unable to go on.
Goose Insurance offers a great comprehensive travel medical insurance for international and domestic travel. The Insurance can cover hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and travel costs, for just a few dollars. A travel medical insurance policy can be done from your phone within minutes, and by using the Goose Insurance app, you can find local hospitals, 911 equivalents and have a 24hr support center.
