View our most FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS related to YACHT CREW INSURANCE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does yacht crew medical insurance cost?
A: The cost depends on several factors, including the plan selected,
coverage area, deductible, coverage limits, age, nationality, medical
history and whether coverage is for an individual or a group. Crew
Insurance Services offers multiple plans and coverage options to help match coverage with your needs and budget.
Q: Does yacht crew medical insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
A: Coverage for pre-existing conditions depends on the insurance plan and underwriting. Some plans may exclude pre-existing conditions or apply an additional premium, while certain group plans may accept crew members with pre-existing conditions from Day 1. The specific policy terms should always be reviewed before purchasing coverage.
Q: What is global yacht crew medical insurance?
A: Global yacht crew medical insurance is an international health insurance plan designed for professional yacht captains and crew who are working onboard a vessel and traveling internationally. The health insurance plans cover inside and outside the individuals’ home country, while working, during time off, on vacation and while taking courses.
Q: What’s the difference between deductible, copayment and coinsurance?
A: All three are medical charges you must pay out of your own pocket, even if you have insurance. Your deductible, or excess is the initial amount you must pay each year for covered health services before your insurer will start to pay.
A copayment is a fixed amount, or fee, that you pay toward a medical service, such as $30 for a doctor visit, or $10 for a prescription. Coinsurance is a cost-sharing feature between you and the insurance company. It’s a percentage, usually 80/20. The insurance company pays 80% and you pay 20% toward the medical bills, AFTER the deductible has been met. Plans often have this feature in the U.S., due to the high medical costs. Outside the U.S., the same plans can pay 100% of the bills after the deductible.
Q: Is international yacht crew medical insurance the same as travel insurance?
A: International crew medical insurance is not the same as travel medical insurance. Travel medical insurance only covers unexpected travel related medical- or accidental incidents that occur while traveling outside your home country. Coverage is often excluded for any pre-existing medical conditions.
International medical insurance provides worldwide coverage, including your home country, for preventative care, maternity care, and other benefits that may not be covered by travel medical insurance. The crew medical plans can be purchased for a long period of time, while travel medical insurance plans only cover for a limited period of time.
Q: What is the purpose of worldwide crew health insurance?
A: Worldwide crew health insurance provides crew members with both routine and emergency healthcare and features great flexibility to cater to the marine industry for extended periods of time. Global crew medical insurance plans cover inside and outside of the individuals home country.
Q: Why do I need international yacht crew health insurance?
A: While working and living internationally onboard a yacht, you may not be covered by your domestic insurance plan, putting you at risk of paying for expensive healthcare if you require any medical attention. If you are living or working outside your home country as a professional crew member, international crew health insurance provides medical coverage in any country, including your home country. One plan provides worldwide coverage.
Q: What does international crew medical insurance cover?
A: International crew medical plans cover essential medical services, including but not limited to; preventative care, physical exams, hospitalization, ER, maternity care, prescription drugs, medical evacuation, home health care or hospice, chiropractic services, among other benefits. Please make sure to review the coverage carefully, as certain benefits may have waiting periods.
Q: Does yacht crew medical insurance cover routine and preventative care?
A: Yes. Yacht crew medical plans can include preventative care, physical examinations, routine medical care and other healthcare services. Some plans offer wellness benefits with no waiting period. Coverage depends on the specific policy.
Q: Does yacht crew medical insurance cover dental and vision?
A: Dental coverage can be available through certain plans or as an
additional benefit. Vision benefits vary by plan. Because dental and
vision coverage is not identical across all global medical policies,
crew members should check the benefits of the specific plan they are considering.
Q: Does international yacht crew medical insurance cover medical evacuation?
A: Yes. Medical evacuation is included in the benefits of many of the
international crew medical plans offered, including emergency air
evacuation on applicable plans. The exact conditions and limits depend on the policy.
Q: What happens if I need medical treatment while working in another country?
A: International crew medical insurance is designed specifically for yacht crew who travel worldwide. Depending on your plan, you can access medical care in the country where you are working, with international provider networks and assistance services available to help you locate appropriate care.
Q: Can crew medical insurance cover my spouse or children?
A: Yes. Many individual and group global medical plans can cover
dependents and families. Eligibility requirements vary by plan. For
example, some plans allow dependents to be covered even when they live in the crew member’s home country.
Q: What is the benefit for an employer/yacht owner to offer international medical group insurance instead of domestic insurance to its crew?
A: In most cases the domestic health insurance plans don’t cover crew members who are traveling abroad for extended periods of time working on yachts. If an employer/yacht owner provides global crew medical group insurance for its crew, they can enjoy the benefit of being covered outside their home country as well as in their home country, while working and during time off 24/7/365.
Q: Does international yacht crew medical insurance cover me in the United States?
A: Yes, yacht crew insurance plans with worldwide coverage can include the United States. Some crew insurance plans also offer a worldwide option that excludes the U.S. in exchange for a lower premium. The coverage area selected when purchasing the policy determines where you are covered.
Q: Who can purchase a global crew medical expat plan?
A: Global crew medical expat insurance is available for captains and crew members of any Citizenship. Plans are usually offered up to age 74 or 75.
Q: If I am traveling to multiple countries, does global crew medical insurance cover me worldwide?
A: Yes, global crew medical insurance plans give you access to healthcare all over the world, inside and outside of the U.S. Certain plans give you a choice to EXCLUDE coverage inside the U.S., if you don’t need it and the premium will therefore be less. Please review your insurance plan offerings.
Q: Does international yacht crew medical insurance cover me when I am on vacation or leave?
A: Yes. International crew medical insurance is designed to provide coverage on and off the yacht, including while working, during time off and while on vacation. This is one of the key differences between international medical insurance and coverage that may only apply while you are signed on to a vessel.
Q: Is maternity covered under the global crew medical plans?
A: Certain group insurance policies offer maternity benefits from day 1. However, it’s more common that there’s a waiting period for these types of benefits, of 10 to 12 months.
Q: Are water sports covered under the worldwide crew medical plans?
A: Most watersports are usually covered under the standard plan, such as snorkeling, driving tender and jet skis, and if not, you can add a “sports rider” for extra premium. Some plans may exclude scuba diving or have certain restrictions on the coverage, such as depth and that you have to dive with a companion. There are also diving specific plans available.
Q: Can I get yacht crew medical insurance if I am already working on a yacht?
A: Yes. Crew medical insurance is available to professional yacht crew, including crew members who are already working on a yacht. Eligibility requirements vary depending on whether you choose an individual or group plan and the insurer’s requirements.
Q: Can crew members choose their own doctor or hospital?
A: Yes. Certain crew medical plans provide the freedom to choose your own healthcare provider, wherever you are in the world. Some plans also provide access to extensive international provider networks and assistance services.
Q: How do I make a claim with yacht crew medical insurance?
A: Claims are generally submitted directly to the insurance provider
using the claim process associated with your specific plan. Depending on the insurer, claims can often be managed online or through a mobile insurance app. Your insurance ID card and policy documents will provide the instructions for submitting a claim.
Q: What countries are covered by international crew medical insurance?
A: International crew medical insurance can provide worldwide coverage, including the crew member’s home country and countries visited while working internationally. Depending on the plan, coverage may include or exclude the United States and certain other countries. Always verify the geographical area of coverage selected on your policy.
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