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Experiencing new cultures at your own leisure is fun and easy when you explore the world on a marine adventure. It's important to make sure that you and your crew are protected from unexpected emergencies, illness and injury when planning you maritime vacation. The best way to protect yourself and your crew prior to departure is to purchase yacht crew health insurance.

For US citizens, the same health insurance plan that covers you while in the US may not cover you when you are travelling abroad. Coverage that is offered by government-sponsored for non-US citizens travelling outside of their home country may not be enough to protect them. You are protected no matter where you travel within your pre-selected coverage area with an international marine crew health insurance plan.

Coverage areas for these types of plans are divided into two regions: Worldwide coverage that includes the US and Canada, and coverage that does not include the US and Canada. By purchasing yacht crew insurance, you will receive coverage for a number of health services, including hospital stays, emergency care and prescription costs.

Deductibles range from $250 per insured person, and up to $5000 for these types of plans. A maximum limit of $5,000,000 is available per insured person's lifetime. Expensive medical services like emergency medical evacuation, maternity care and other similar services can also be included in marine crew insurance plans.

Members are eligible for wellness coverage, depending on the plan that is selected, after one continuous year of yacht crew insurance. Members under 19 years of age can visit the doctor for $50 per visit with wellness benefits, while members who are least 30 years old can receive up to $250 in coverage. Routine doctor visits and medical services are the intended use of wellness benefits.

When signing up for marine crew health insurance, it's important to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions. Pre-existing conditions include any illness, injury or mental health disorder or chronic condition you have prior to submitting the application. Not disclosing these conditions up front can result in a denial of benefits should you seek treatment for them after submitting your application.

Additional services outside of medical coverage are sometimes included in marine crew insurance. Assistance with tracking lost baggage, emergency cash transfers and referrals for legal services are valuable services provided with these types of plans.

Be sure that you are prepared with a marine crew insurance plan before you set sail. For anyone will be travelling outside of their home country, the value that is received from the plan makes it well-worth the cost.

Dan Miller likes to write about marine crew insurance