The common questions about crew health insurance. part 1
Do policies include worldwide cover?
Not all crew insurance provides worldwide benefits. You need to check the area of coverage in your contract. If you plan to spend sometime in Caribbean or US waters, you need to ask your insurance carrier for the relevant extension. With WYCC, our insured are covered worldwide in case of accident or illness as the seafarers can move all around the world but the rate is based on the main area of location.
For all crew insurance, various areas of coverage or rates are applicable (Worldwide including USA/Canada, or Worldwide excluding USA Canada, Europe, ASEAN, etc) and based on the cost of local medical treatments. This is the reason why you need to declare your main area of location at the subscription of your contract or ask for an amendment during the period of coverage.
What is the extent of the repatriation cover?
In order to check the level of benefits and scope of your repatriation you need to carefully read your terms and conditions. Usually the benefits are as follow:
- Evacuation from the boat to the nearest hospital in case of emergency
- Repatriation to the country of domicile for the relevant period
- Ticket for the return of the insured member or substitute
- Flight ticket for a compassionate visit if the member is not fit to fly
- Visit to a sick, hospitalised or in case of death of a dependent
- Repatriation of the body in case of death
- Funeral cost
The assistance centre will take care of the execution and organise the transport. It is really important to contact the dedicated service provider before organising any travel.
Am I covered when on vacation or on rotation?
It depends on your contract. If you have a Crew Welfare policy, you will probably not be covered during vacation or time off. These policies are travel insurance plans. The seafarer will not be covered if not registered as a permanent crew member. Most of these contracts do not provide benefits in your home country.
If you have a crew insurance and a private scheme, you should be covered during private life if you remain active on the policy. These benefits are negotiated by the shipowner/employer. The private scheme is a part of the retention tool in order to attract and retain employees. In that case you will be covered whatever the situation, vacation, on-leave or rotation. Some individual contracts are also available on a short-term basis (between two jobs) for essential care.
To be continued next month…
Source: ONBOARD Magazine Spring 2021 Interview WYCC
31 mai, 2021