Finding The Right Travel Insurance For Japan

Above, Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Of my eight trips to Japan, I've only purchased travel insurance once. That was back in 2004 for G-TOUR.

The travel company we used offered travel insurance at a reasonable rate. It was a good thing they did for one of our tour group became seriously ill and had to be hospitalized for several weeks in Japan. He bought travel insurance and it covered everything.

I haven't purchased travel insurance as I was younger then. But since my heart attack of two summers ago while on a trip in Nevada, I will likely purchase travel insurance the next time I go to Japan.

Tokyo Cheapo has an article on finding the right travel insurance for Japan.

They begin with:

Apart from the obvious travel disasters (think lost luggage, pinched passports or canceled flights), getting sick abroad is, unfortunately, a possibility—and one you’d be well-advised to insure yourself against. While getting a basic prescription for medicine in Japan is generally affordable out of pocket, more serious medical considerations like hospitalization or transport back home can easily run into the thousands of dollars (US). Having a travel insurance policy can give you some peace of mind, and is something most travel experts recommend. We may be Cheapos, but we believe in playing it safe.

To read more, go here.