Insurance
It is very important to always have an traveler insurance in case things happens during your time away from home as you don't
want to end up with a bill of thousands of US dollars after an accident. As there are as many insurances as there are insurance companies you need to check what is included as simpler ones often don't cover the loss of cameras, MP3 players and what
they call other things highly wanted by thief's that in general are electronics.
Always make sure that you have any required documents from the insurance company printed out in your bag as well as in your mail to
be able to print them out again if needed.
If you would for example get robed or lose something you will need a police report to present back home together with receipts
to be able to get something back from the insurance. What is needed you always need to check with your insurance company as this
can vary a bit and sometimes you are obligated to call in right away and report what happened and for the police report you need to
go right away or first thing on Monday if it occurs during the weekend as they normally don't accept to make a report after more than
two to three days.
In case you need medical attention in a hospital or a clinic you should bring your passport to be able to show who you are and money to
pay for medicines. If you go to a private hospital or clinic you need to pay for the attention according to what they help you with while
it is for free in public hospitals and clinics. You have to expect to pay to be able to leave a private hospital or clinic and once you
are home you can send in the receipts to the insurance company to get the money back as they in general won't get involved in
this procedure for less than several hundred US dollars but please check your insurance documents to see what it says.
Please make sure to save any receipts and documents you get, both for doctors, hospitals and pharmacies.
In case something serious happens you need to make sure that your host family or local coordinator have a chance to find your
passport and credit card as this is something the hospital will ask for right away. Without this they will only stabilize you in a
private hospital while other treatments will have to wait or they can also transport you to a public hospital for further treatment.
