Travel Insurance
Unexpected accidents or illnesses during your trip can lead to high medical expenses. This is especially true in Japan, where medical costs are high, and since 2021, re-entry may be restricted if medical bills are unpaid. Therefore, purchasing travel insurance is essential.
Why Travel Insurance Is Necessary
According to a Japan Tourism Agency survey, one in 20 international visitors experiences illness or injury during their trip. While Japan has a high standard of medical care, medical expenses are also high. Even a simple consultation can result in higher costs than expected.
Furthermore, since 2021, foreign nationals who fail to pay their medical bills in Japan may be restricted from future entry into the country. This means that issues with treatment costs can affect more than just a single trip.
Considering these circumstances, all travelers visiting Japan are advised to purchase travel insurance.
Limitations of Credit Card Travel Insurance
Some credit cards or financial products include travel insurance as a supplementary service. Having this type of insurance is better than having none at all. It can be helpful for basic coverage or small medical claims.
However, most supplementary travel insurance policies offered as part of credit card services have low coverage limits. They also often have many restrictions on what is covered. This often excludes sports activities, treatments related to pre-existing conditions, or high-cost treatments and medications.
Therefore, before your departure, you must contact your credit card company to carefully review the terms and conditions and coverage details. It's advisable to consider whether you need to purchase separate travel insurance based on your travel itinerary and health status.
Essential Checks Before Purchasing Travel Insurance
Travel insurance provides compensation for various situations that can occur during your trip, including medical expenses, trip cancellation, flight delays, and lost belongings. This is a separate product from any health insurance you may have in your home country.
Therefore, it's crucial to confirm the insurance's coverage scope and exact payout amounts before purchasing. Also, if you have travel insurance, you must contact the insurance company before your departure to confirm the following:
Emergency Contact Information for Your Insurer
You should obtain both the general contact number and a 24-hour emergency contact number for your insurance provider that you can use to reach a representative in case of an emergency. In critical situations, quick response is paramount. Therefore, it's safest to record the contact information on both your mobile phone and a separate piece of paper.
Insurance Payout Method
You should confirm whether the insurance company offers a Cashless Service. This is a system where the insurance company directly pays the medical service provider on behalf of the insured. If a Cashless Service is not provided, you might have to pay for medical expenses first and then file a claim for reimbursement later.
In Japan, many medical institutions, with the exception of university hospitals, do not accept credit card payments. Therefore, when purchasing insurance, you should confirm if a Cashless Service is offered. If possible, it's advisable to choose a policy that includes this service.
This service can help reduce confusion related to medical expenses that may arise during your trip and allow you to receive treatment more conveniently.
Insurance Application Procedures for Those with Pre-existing Conditions
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it could affect your travel insurance eligibility and coverage. You must inform the insurance company of this in advance to confirm whether coverage is possible. This is particularly important if you have existing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Neglecting to disclose these conditions could lead to a denial of claims later.
Coverage for High-Risk Activities
If you plan on engaging in particularly high-risk activities during your trip, such as skiing, snorkeling, or rock climbing, you must confirm whether these activities are included in your insurance coverage. Some insurance policies may exclude certain high-risk activities from their coverage. In such cases, you may need to purchase a separate special rider.
Third-Party Liability Coverage
You should check whether the policy covers liability for unintentionally causing bodily harm to others or damage to their property during your trip. For example, it's a good idea to confirm in advance if you'll be covered for financial losses resulting from accidentally injuring a pedestrian while cycling or damaging expensive items due to carelessness in a shopping mall.
How to Purchase Travel Insurance After Arrival
It's safest and most advisable to purchase travel insurance before your departure. However, sometimes travelers enter Japan without insurance due to unexpected changes in plans or insufficient preparation.
To address such situations, the Japan Tourism Agency operates a dedicated website that allows international visitors to easily purchase travel insurance even after arriving in Japan. You can use this website to conveniently purchase travel insurance online after you've arrived.
In addition to purchasing insurance, this website also provides various other safety-related information for travelers, such as searching for medical institutions in Japan that offer services in foreign languages and guidance on how to use medical facilities in Japan. So, even if you arrive in Japan without insurance, don't think it's too late; consider purchasing travel insurance.
While there are ways to purchase travel insurance after arriving in Japan, the available products are limited, and coverage can be restricted. Specifically, pre-existing illnesses or past injuries may be excluded from coverage.
If you have such medical history, your insurance application might even be denied. Furthermore, coverage for sports activities can be limited, posing a significant risk. Therefore, you should compare various insurance products before you depart.
It's always best to purchase a policy that suits your travel itinerary, health status, and planned activities before you leave.
Dealing with Emergencies During Your Trip
Sudden illness or injury can happen to anyone during a trip. While Japan has a high standard of medical care, foreign nationals often face various barriers when seeking treatment, including language, cost, and insurance procedures.
Therefore, it's important to know in advance who to contact, which hospital to choose, and how to communicate with your insurance provider in case of an emergency. Preparing in advance is key to saving lives and minimizing financial losses during an emergency.
Using an Ambulance in an Emergency
If your life is in danger or you have a serious injury and need an ambulance, you should immediately call 119, Japan's emergency number. If you don't speak Japanese, don't panic; simply say "Emergency! Ambulance!" in English, and you will be connected to an English-speaking operator or an interpreting service.
Choosing a Medical Institution Based on the Situation
The type of medical facility you need depends on the time of day, the severity of your symptoms, and whether it's an emergency. Most large hospitals require appointments. The availability of foreign language services also varies by hospital.
Therefore, for detailed information on how to find appropriate medical assistance, it's advisable to refer to the website provided by the Japan Tourism Agency. If you are unable to access the internet, you can contact the Japan National Tourism Organization at 050-3816-2787.
This phone number provides 24-hour consultation for emergencies, including introductions to medical institutions that offer foreign language services in English, Chinese, and Korean. This is a very useful service in an emergency.
Contacting Your Insurance Company in Advance
If an accident or illness occurs, it's always best to contact your insurance company for guidance before seeking treatment. Especially if your insurance provides a Cashless Service, you'll need to explain your symptoms or situation to the insurer. You may need to use a designated medical facility guided by your insurance company for coverage to apply or for smooth cost settlement.
If you visit a hospital without first contacting your insurance company, your claim might be denied later, or the insurance claim process could become complicated, so be careful. Additionally, some insurance policies require prior approval for treatment costs to be covered. Therefore, it's safer to consult with your insurance company first, even for seemingly minor symptoms.