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Why does "one child abroad" carry different insurance weight?
When children go abroad without their parents, the "meaning of travel insurance" changes dramatically. It is not just a precautionary measure as in the past, but it is a substitute for the parents in case of an emergency. If parents are together, they can make decisions on the spot, search for hospitals, and proceed with procedures. However, when traveling alone, the child must rely either on the child himself/herself or on local people. This is the biggest risk.
Medical costs abroad tend to be high. Even minor symptoms can cost more than expected. In such cases, can you receive treatment without worrying about the cost, or can you consult with a doctor in Japanese?
This difference is significant. In this sense, it affects the child's sense of security.
The "risk of invisibility" caused by parents not being around.
When children travel abroad alone, "how to respond" is more important than the trouble itself.
For example, "when you are sick.
While adults can explain their symptoms and choose a hospital on their own, this may be difficult for children in some situations. In addition, a combination of language barriers and delays in judgment may exacerbate the situation. This makes us a little anxious, doesn't it?
The same goes for lost smartphones and wallets. It doesn't end with material problems. Losing a means of communication can make it easier to isolate yourself. It is a worrisome situation when there is no way to contact someone and no way to get in touch with them. In addition, hospitalization or accidents may require parents to travel to the location.
The burden of this distance is greater than you might imagine. So a situation where there are no parents nearby can affect you in many ways. Incidentally, "rescue expenses" are generally compensated for the cost of the parents traveling to the site. However, the actual coverage is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the circumstances.
Choose insurance based on "alternatives" rather than "coverage".
When choosing travel insurance for a child alone, "comparing amounts" is not enough.
The important question is, "How can we compensate for the situation where the parents are not present? Compensation for medical expenses is of course important. In addition to that, it is important to see if there is a system to support local activities.
It would be reassuring to know that there is a contact point for consultation in Japanese, hospital arrangements, and other support that can actually help you move forward.
Also important is the cost of the parent going to the site. This is not a special case but a realistic possibility. However, insurance cannot replace everything.
It is safe to think of it only as a "support mechanism".
Quality of risk varies with age
The risk varies with the age of the child.
If they are younger, there are concerns about their physical condition and safety, and the focus should be on dealing with physical illness and injuries. As a parent, you will still be concerned.
On the other hand, as age increases, the scope of activities gradually expands. They are required to make more decisions and manage their belongings when they are out and about, and the risk of loss and errors in judgment also increases. In other words, it can be said that the content of risk changes only with age.
We need to be prepared for each of them.
Think in terms of "worst-case scenario" rather than price.
Since overseas travel insurance can be purchased for as little as a few thousand yen, people tend to select it based on price.
However, it is not the cost that should be the criterion, but the extent to which it can be handled. If hospitalization or surgery were to become necessary, the cost of the parent going there would not be small.
Once you apply these cases to yourself and imagine them concretely, you will see them a little differently. As a guide, it may be easier to make a decision if you check whether you can cope with the high cost of treatment and whether you can cover your parents' travel expenses.
The difference in premiums may be a few thousand yen, but the difference in the event of an emergency is significant. Many people are concerned about this difference, so the key point is how you think about it.
Parental Preparation" to be in place before departure
Next, I will summarize the preparations that can be expected on the part of the parents.
No matter how comprehensive the content of the insurance may be, "just getting it" is not enough. Advance preparation is also important. Make sure that the contents of the insurance and contact information are readily available on the child's side. Of course, parents need to have the same information as their children.
In addition, it is also a good idea to share "what to do if something goes wrong" just in case.
Where to call in case of illness or trouble. Just deciding on this will make a big difference in your initial response. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Think in terms of actual cases that may occur.
For example, if you have a high fever while studying abroad. Even if you are not comfortable with the language, if you can consult in Japanese, you will be guided to the appropriate hospital. Language support is reassuring in such situations.
The same is true if you lose your smartphone. Losing a means of communication can affect communication with parents and emergency response.
It is easy to "imagine extra" and become anxious because you are in trouble. Furthermore, your parents may have to travel to the area in case you are hospitalized due to injury or accident. It is also important to remember that whether or not the insurance will support the costs and arrangements for this is determined by the situation.
summary
It is a valuable experience for a child to go abroad alone, but at the same time, there are worries because the environment is out of the reach of parents' eyes. That is why it is important to think of overseas travel insurance not only as compensation but also as a system that provides support in the field.
Traveling can make a big difference in "peace of mind" depending on one's preparedness. However, it is not possible to reduce anxiety to zero. However, it is possible to "reduce anxiety as much as possible," isn't it? Even with careful preparation, there will still be a small amount of anxiety, but with the right insurance and careful planning in advance, anxiety can be reduced to a certain extent.
For a child, an experience abroad can be the greatest asset of all. As parents, we want to be prepared to tackle this task so that they can take that first step with confidence.
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