If you are thinking about traveling overseas, whether on business or for pleasure and for merely a few days or many months, you should not depart before you have purchased suitable international travel health insurance coverage.Medical care can be extremely costly abroad and in many countries you will discover that you will be unable to receive medical treatment, even in an emergency, unless you are able to pay for your treatment up front. If you think this is strange then believe me - it is fact.On one recent vacation I went with a friend to the local hospital in a well known Far Eastern holiday city following a luckily minor road traffic accident in which he sustained a nasty gash to his thigh requiring stitches and, in addition to the doctors and nurses in the emergency room, we were also met by one of the hospital administrators who requested details of my friend's medical insurance or a cash/credit card payment before any treatment could be given.International travel health insurance is designed to provide medical cover for people traveling abroad and is an extremely flexible form of medical insurance cover. It frequently allows for daily rates (rates based on the number of days for which you will be traveling) and can normally be purchased without the need to answer health questions and regardless of age. Cover is also usually available on a worldwide basis or can be arranged to provide cover for travel to specific countries.One particularly important thing to think about when purchasing international travel health insurance however is just where you are traveling to and what sort of medical care will be available to you on arrival. Against this background, you should ensure that any policy covers you for every eventuality including things like hospitalization, ambulance fees (including the possible need for an air ambulance) and, critically, cover for your return home should this prove necessary.Remember also that, if you are holidaying as a family, then any plan should cover all members of your family and provide for such things as expenses should it be necessary for one or both parents to stay in hospital with a sick child or to accompany a child home by air ambulance.One of the very last things that we ever think about happening when we travel abroad, particularly on vacation, is having an accident or being taken ill while we are away with anything more than a simple upset stomach. Nevertheless, accidents happen every day and sudden and serious illness can and does strike without any warning. Indeed, the chances of such an event are considerably raised when we find ourselves out of our usual environment, so why should we take the risk.When it comes to purchasing international travel health insurance the principles are the same as those which apply to purchasing any other type of insurance. Take your time and shop around looking at plans from several different companies before making any decision. Consider only well know insurers, which have an international reputation, and read through the small print of any policy document before signing on the dotted line.Finally, bear in mind that sorting out medical problems when you are ill and hundreds or thousands of miles from home is something which needs to be quick and simple. So, do not be tempted to cut corners when arranging your coverage! You might pay a little more than you would perhaps wish to but, if you have to use your policy, you will be extremely happy that you spent those few extra dollars.