Balcia Travel insurance (Travel Medical)

Balcia reimburses medically justified costs related to emergency treatment abroad following an Accident or Illness during the trip. The exact sum insured is fixed on the individual policy schedule and is not stated as a fixed figure in the T&Cs.

Emergency medical treatment abroad due to a sudden Accident or Illness during the trip is covered as part of the medical expenses insurance; also includes dental treatment for acute pain/inflammation or emergency care after an accident, and OTC medication up to EUR 50.

Inpatient/hospital treatment costs abroad are covered under medical expenses. If the insured chooses treatment at a public-healthcare-system facility instead of private care, Balcia additionally pays EUR 25 per day in hospital, up to EUR 200. Companion accommodation/meals if hospitalization extends beyond the planned return date are covered up to EUR 500.

Reasonable transport costs to and from the medical facility and to accommodation are covered, along with telephone calls to the medical facility or Balcia up to EUR 50.

Dental treatment is covered only for acute pain/inflammation or emergency care needed as a result of an accident. Repair or replacement of damaged dentures (combined with glasses/hearing aids) is capped at EUR 200.

Reasonable transport costs to/from the medical facility, and a substitute driver to bring the insured and travel companions home if illness/accident prevents the insured from driving and no companion holds a valid license.

Balcia covers the insured's (and insured relatives') early/priority return to the home country if health condition, following an Accident or Illness, allows for such transport.

Covers transportation of the insured's remains, the coffin needed for transport, burial expenses, or cremation abroad and transport of the urn to the home country; these costs are reimbursed in any scenario not listed as an exception in the T&Cs.

Search and rescue costs are not addressed as a distinct benefit in the reviewed Terms and Conditions.

The current T&Cs (LV-18/02-03) carve out Covid-19, Clade 1b and Clade 2 as exceptions to the general pandemic/epidemic exclusion, meaning related medical and cancellation costs can be covered subject to normal terms. The earlier edition (LV-18/02-01) additionally required proof of full vaccination, a negative test within 72 hours before travel, or recovery more than 6 months before the trip, with cover limited to the first 30 days of the trip and hospital treatment reimbursed for up to 12 months per event.

The policy's definition of 'Illness' is limited to an unforeseen sickness or chronic-disease flare-up that had not manifested before the trip started; illnesses/injuries whose symptoms had already appeared before the trip are therefore excluded from medical expenses cover.

Piste skiing/snowboarding falls under 'Active recreation' (Aktīvā atpūta); Balcia may refuse to pay a claim arising while engaging in Active recreation unless the insurance policy states otherwise, meaning it must be specifically added/confirmed on the policy.

Extreme Sports Activities (e.g. mountaineering, motorsport, off-piste skiing, diving beyond 30m, skydiving) are excluded by default; Balcia may refuse a claim arising from such activities unless the policy explicitly states otherwise.

Costs arising from pregnancy (from the 28th week) or childbirth are excluded, except when related to emergency care provided after an Accident.

If the insured causes harm to a third party's life, health or property during the trip, Balcia covers material damages related to the third party's treatment or death, property damage mitigation, the third party's lost income, and previously agreed litigation costs. Excludes damage to family/household members, entities the insured represents, motorised land/water vehicles (except low-speed electric/non-motorised ones), and claims arising from traffic-rule violations.

Under the civil liability chapter, Balcia covers legal assistance costs if the insured accidentally or unknowingly fails to observe local rules/customs at the destination or breaches local regulations, causing harm to a third party's health or property; prior consent from Balcia is required before admitting fault or settling any claim.