What to Do If You Get Sick or Injured While Traveling Abroad

Illnesses and injuries can be especially troublesome—and arguably more burdensome—when they occur abroad. To minimize the stress, it's essential to secure travel health insurance before departure. While the cost varies depending on the destination and length of stay, a modest expense of a few thousand drams won't strain a traveler’s budget, whereas seeking medical care abroad can lead to a significant financial burden.

 

It’s no secret that medical services abroad can be quite expensive. Of course, it’s always best to hope for the best, but we also need to look at reality with clear eyes – accidents can happen during travel. Having insurance and not needing it is better than being without it and facing problems.

 

If you have travel insurance and an incident occurs, your first step should be to contact the assistance company listed in your policy. Be sure to note this number before you travel. These companies typically have multilingual staff, including speakers of English and Russian, so language barriers are rarely a problem. You can also reach out to your insurance provider directly—whether by phone, through their social media pages, or via any other available communication method—to report the incident.

 

In the case of Nairi Insurance, there is no need to pay upfront—if the incident is covered, the company will handle the expenses directly. However, in certain situations, the insured person may need to pay on the spot and later submit the required documents to the insurance provider. These typically include a doctor’s report, discharge summary, prescription, proof of payment, and other relevant records.

 

In cases involving injuries, a police report is also required. Medication purchased abroad may be covered if it was prescribed by a doctor and is directly related to the insured incident. To claim reimbursement, you’ll need to submit the doctor’s written prescription, a medical justification, and the receipt for the purchased medication.