Tragedy in Japan Underscores Need for International Travel Insurance

Craig Weisweaver from Mishawaka, Indiana, is critically ill in Japan. He contracted a virus while visiting family members there.

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Because he has no health or travel insurance and because he is too sick to take a commercial flight, Weisweaver is stranded in Japan.  Japanese hospitals will not treat him because he has no insurance to cover emergency, hospital and doctor bills.

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The alternative would be to air medevac him back to the U.S. but that would cost the family $150,000, an amount they do not have. 

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Family members, U.S. Congressmen, and local residents are working together to bring Weisweaver home, praying he hangs in there until then.

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Unfortunately, this story is not uncommon.  In a study conducted by the Injury Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, medical researches found that 2,011 injury deaths of US citizens abroad were reported in 3 years, mainly in motor vehicle crashes and drowning.

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Their conclusion was that injuries occur at a higher proportion abroad than in the United States. Unfamiliarity with local customs and safety procedures, coupled with excitement and happy-go-lucky vacation mentality, contribute to negligence while traveling abroad. 

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Craig’s son, Brian, in a newspaper interview said, “The obvious lesson to be learned here is if you don't have health insurance and you plan to travel, get travel insurance." 

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We sympathize with the plight of the Weisweaver family. International travel insurance would have been the way to go as it would have paid for his in-country medical bills and his air-evacuation costs, all for as low as $1.50 - $6.00 per day, depending on Craig’s health and age at the time he took out the travel insurance.

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