Simplifying Crew Health Insurance

The market for crew health insurance has grown considerably over the past few years. The result is a marketplace so brimming with options that crew can become confused about what kind of health insurance is the best for them. Help is here. Below are custom solutions designed to make it easy for crew.

Your Situation: I am not a U.S. citizen or resident, but I visit the U.S. on a regular basis.

Best Solution: Own an international insurance plan that includes Worldwide coverage.

Good Solution: Own an international insurance plan that covers you everywhere except the U.S. and supplement it with a travel insurance plan when visiting the U.S.

Dangerous Solution: Relying upon your home country's social system or not having any coverage.

Your Situation: I am a U.S. citizen or resident who lives or works outside the U.S. for more than six months per year.

Best Solution: Own an international insurance plan that includes Worldwide coverage.

Good Solution: (Costly) Own a state-regulated insurance plan that covers you worldwide with no limit on how much time you spend outside the U.S..

Dangerous Solution: Own a state-regulated plan that does not cover you outside the U.S..

Your Situation: I am not a U.S. citizen or resident. I visit many countries, but not the U.S.

Best Solution: Own an international insurance plan that includes coverage for everywhere except the U.S.

Good Solution: Own an international insurance plan that provides Worldwide coverage.

Dangerous Solution: Do not own an insurance plan, or rely upon your home country's social plan.
Note: If you frequent the Bahamas and Caribbean, the Good Solution becomes the Best Solution.

Your Situation: I am a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who lives in the U.S. for more than six months per year and I work on a yacht that occasionally leaves the U.S.

Best Solution: Own a state-regulated plan that covers you in the U.S. and abroad.

Good Solution: Own a state-regulated plan that covers you in the U.S. and purchase travel insurance each time you go abroad.

Fraudulent Solution: Convincing your insurance agent that you are a true international citizen so you can qualify for an international plan.

A crew health insurance expert should recommend the best solution in all cases. At that point a crewmember should discuss which plan fits both their situation and their personal preferences. This is where a willingness to ask questions and trust in the expert's guidance can turn what may have appeared to be confusing into a clear and easy solution.