The importance of having a good coverage! In 2016, I decided to quit my corporate job in Switzerland and left anything behind in order to start my once in a lifetime adventure, a 2,5 year round-the-world trip. Initially travelling by backpack, I had no idea that I would built a camper van myself in New Zealand or overland all of the Americas by adventure motorcycle.
By coincidence, a friend of mine had just come back from Bali, where she took a 1-year sabbatical. When she heard about my plans, she urged me to get international health insurance, just to be on the safe side. At the time, I was not totally convinced about how useful it would be for me, but I trusted her. Not sure about why I would need it, I asked her who she would recommend. This is when I heard about Global Health.
Since I was planning to travel in remote areas of the world and did not want to worry about the unexpected, I had to get the right coverage, at a fair price, with an insurance company that would not let me down when I most needed it.
Anticipation is everything when you travel, and believe me I have a vivid imagination, but things where close to getting much worse than I had ever imagined. A rather stupid accident almost caused severe consequences.
Just before entering Luang Prabang in Laos, on a small motorcycle, the rain coat I had bought a couple of hours prior got stuck in the chain and consequently choked me, almost to death. The coat pulled me backwards, I heard my spine cracking a few times too many, and I fell off my motorcycle.
It felt like the world stopped spinning and seconds became an eternity. I saw my life passing before my eyes and thought I would never be able to walk again. At the time, I was travelling with my former partner, who immediately stopped to help me getting back on my feet. Luckily, I could still walk and after a while I could even ride my motorcycle to the next accommodation.
Since it was impossible to sleep properly due to strong back pain, I decided to visit a doctor and, after researching the “best” option Google, I went straight to the local hospital. I received medical treatment, an x-ray, muscle relaxant and pain relief medication.
I was relieved I did not break anything but it was time to take a break from travelling, I mean what other alternative did I have? Recovering for two weeks in a resort a bit out of town, I was fortunate to continue my travels again without lasting issues.
As you can imagine, this is only one of the many things that happened to me during the 2,5 years I spent abroad. I was unfortunate enough to have to learn the hard way, but I sincerely hope that you will not have to go down the same route. Sharing this real-life experience with you is a way for me to demonstrate how important it is to take your internal health insurance seriously, and to express my gratitude towards Global Health.
Should you be interested in knowing more about my trips around the globe, then please do not hesitate to visit my blog and to leave a comment. This is always highly appreciated!
Other expat stories
Agnes: her experience in a medical emergency
Philip: his experience with Global Health
