5 Times You Shouldn't Have To Use Your Health Insurance

by - 8/23/2017 08:14:00 PM




We’ve probably all covered ourselves by getting health insurance, and although if you’re injured or ill that’s exactly what it’s there for, it can be frustrating having to use it especially if our insurance doesn’t completely cover the treatment we need. Luckily, there are a few exceptions where we don’t have to use just our personal health insurance if something happens to us, there is extra help available. Consider taking out extra insurance so that you’re not stuck using your expensive personal medical cover.

Travel

Purchasing travel insurance on top of your regular health insurance is a wise idea. Many people just ‘risk it’ and then end up having to remortgage their homes if something bad happens to them while they are abroad.


Travel insurance is fairly inexpensive, even when you’re covering yourself for medical reasons too, so it’s always a good idea to spend a little to save a lot. Medical treatment in foreign countries can be expensive so don’t take the risk, cover yourself.


Sometimes, if your injury or illness is only minor your health insurance might not even be touched so it would be a winning situation all around.

Work

If you’re injured at work, you don’t necessarily have to use your own health insurance (unless you want to.) Many bosses might try and encourage you to do this to save them money, but you are entitled to their workers' injury compensation, especially if it’s not your fault.


Times, where it's not your fault, would be if, for example, you used some machinery that was faulty, or you weren’t trained properly and you ended up injuring yourself using it. You also would have the rights to make this claim against your employers without being discriminated against. If your injury or illness disabled you, you’d also be eligible to claim for further compensation, regardless of whether you’re returning to work or not.


If however, your claim against your employers is dismissed, and you feel that the decision is wrong, you can hire a work injury attorney who will reopen the case and represent you.


Of course, if all else fails or you’re unable to afford an attorney, you would have to rely on your regular medical insurance but it is always worth trying to get the workers' injury compensation first, not just to save you money but to get what you deserve too.


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Vehicle Accidents

If you’re in a vehicle accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s up to the driver that caused the accident to pay out of their insurance. The same rule applies if you’re just the passenger in the car, the ‘at fault’ driver would be liable to pay for your medical costs.


One thing that is worth checking, is if your car insurance covers exactly this when you’re taking out your policy. If it’s something you’re particularly worried about, then make sure the policy you’re about to buy covers you if something happens. Remember though, if you’re at fault then it’s going to be a hefty fine. Also, if you’re under the influence of alcohol (even if the accident isn’t your fault) your policy may no longer cover you.


However, if the accident was due to weather conditions or something where it wasn’t necessarily your fault, but there’s no other driver to blame then it’s likely you will have to claim from your own insurance policy, so make sure it covers you in case of any accidents.


Remember, the fault of the accident can be shared between each driver involved, so if you’re unsure who caused the accident it’s best to trade insurance details and go from there, otherwise you could be pinned for the blame just as much as the other person.

Outside Of The Home

Sometimes accidents can happen outside of your home that isn't your fault too. This is usually when a sidewalk is unsafe, or a dangerous open pothole hasn’t been signed correctly and you end up getting hurt.


The first step to take here is to go to your local council and report the injury and inform them that you would like to make a claim. They will then either take you through the necessary steps to achieving your claim or point you in the right direction to where you will have to make your claim.


Situations like this often end in court, so be ready to represent yourself, or if you’d prefer to get a friend or family member to do it for you. There is, of course, the option of an attorney but the compensation you receive after other fees may only just cover the attorney cost.


Also, remember that you will have to inform your health insurance of the issue, especially if you need immediate medical assistance. This could make your premium rise. It’s also important to remember that if you are making a claim against your local council, that they always have a way of getting out of paying compensation, so make sure you’re 100% sure that they were in the wrong.


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Be Careful

Of course, that’s much easier said than done. If you are worried about your insurance premium rising, then avoiding anything that’s potentially dangerous is probably a good idea. Ensuring that jobs around your home are done professionally will ensure that nothing will unexpectedly break and hurt you. The same goes for repairs on your car, make sure it’s done by a registered mechanic to ensure that it’s safe for you to drive.


If you’re not keen on dipping into your medical health insurance, then staying away from danger as much as possible is the best route to go down. Remember, accidents can happen anywhere and everywhere so you’re never completely safe. Spend a little to save a lot (and potentially your life) rather than risking it.



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