Moreno 
21.08.2024 
4 min read Cover abroad in the event of illness/accident
Sick on your trip abroad - supplementary outpatient insurance will help you!
Have you ever read that the Swiss are one of the best-insured people in the world? This is due to a combination of 4 factors:
Compulsory insurances
Switzerland has a large number of compulsory insurance schemes, such as the health insurance (KVG) , old-age and survivors' insurance (AHV), disability insurance (IV), and accident insurance (UVG). As a rule, everyone living in Switzerland is obliged to take out these insurances, which provides comprehensive basic coverage.
High density of supplementary insurance
Many Swiss people also choose various voluntary insurance policies, such as private supplementary health insurance , life insurance travel insurance and legal expenses insurance , to close gaps in basic coverage.
Financial provision
The three-pillar pension system in Switzerland (AHV, occupational pension provision and private pension provision) is designed to provide a high level of security in old age or in the event of disability.
Culture of protection
Switzerland has a strong culture of provision and protection, which is promoted by the high level of prosperity and awareness of possible risks.
Although the term "best-insured" is difficult to measure, as it depends on the insurance products and cover available, it can be said that Switzerland has one of the highest densities of insurance in an international comparison (on
alletta.chyou can find offers for health and legal protection insurance) and very comprehensive cover for its residents.
Switzerland has a strong culture of provision and protection, which is promoted by the high level of prosperity and awareness of possible risks.
South America trip
My cousin Flavia had been looking forward to her trip to South America for months. It was going to be an adventure trip where she wanted to hike through the jungle, see exotic animals and get to know new cultures.
Flavia planned her trip down to the last detail, but there was one thing she had almost forgotten: her international health and accident insurance.
A few days before her departure, Flavia spoke to her best friend who had just returned from California. The friend told her about an unfortunate incident in which she had fallen on a mountain hike and broken her leg.
Thanks to her supplementary insurance, she was treated quickly and without financial worries in a local hospital and was able to fly home safely.
This story got Flavia thinking
The next day, Flavia contacted me to find out whether she was properly insured and what it was like abroad.
I checked her insurance and realized that Flavia had no supplementary outpatient insurance. I was working for Helsana at the time, so I recommended that she take out Completa supplementary insurance.
Flavia took out the supplementary insurance and felt well prepared and was able to start her trip with peace of mind.
The Completa cover included the following benefits for abroad:
Protection abroad
Basically
- For outpatient and inpatient emergency treatment in EU and EFTA countries and the UK, you receive 100% of the costs that exceed the benefits covered by basic insurance.
- Any foreign cost sharing is insured if it exceeds CHF 300.
- In other countries, the customer receives 100% of the costs that exceed the benefits of the basic insurance.
Transportation and rescue abroad
Basically
- The entire costs are paid to the nearest suitable hospital
People search
- The insurance covers up to CHF 20,000 per calendar year for search operations undertaken for your rescue or recovery.
Repatriation
- Completa covers the entire cost of repatriation to your place of residence or to a hospital in Switzerland.
Return journey
- The insurance covers the rebooking fees for your return flight. If no rebooking is possible, they will cover the costs for your return flight in economy class.
Health and international legal protection
Basically
- The customer receives legal advice and representation as well as reimbursement per legal case up to a maximum of CHF 250,000 in Europe and CHF 50,000 outside Europe.
Important:
Contact your health insurance company's emergency number if something happens to you on your trip. This will give you valuable support from your health insurance company and you will always know how the costs will be covered.
After two weeks in South America, when Flavia was in a remote part of the jungle, the unexpected happened. She was stung by a rare species of insect and developed a severe allergic reaction.
She was quickly transported to the nearest hospital, where she was in urgent need of medical help. After three days, she was able to leave the hospital again.
Thanks to her supplementary insurance , all the costs were covered and Flavia was able to recover without any worries.
After recovering, Flavia continued her journey and enjoyed every day. She often thought about how things might have gone if she hadn’t taken out the Supplementary Completa insurance .
The potentially high hospital costs in a foreign country could have taken the joy out of her trip – or she might even have had to cut it short.
At the end of her trip, Flavia was back home happy and healthy. She knew that her decision to take out supplementary insurance was the best one and thanked me.
You too can find the right supplementary outpatient insurance for you on alletta.
For Flavia, it was a valuable experience that you should not only focus on adventure when traveling, but also on safety. I always tell my cousin Flavia's story to friends and acquaintances to make sure that they are also well protected when traveling.
Of course, it is important to be well and properly insured not only when traveling, but also in everyday life. Especially when it comes to health insurance, it's important to have the right health insurance. At alletta, you can find the right offer, take out insurance digitally and save and earn money at the end of the day - don't hesitate and click on
alletta.ch!