Many of us have the mistaken belief that our own personal health insurance also covers our medical expenses — emergency doctor or hospital visits — when we are traveling overseas.

The reality is that our domestic health insurance, and that also includes basic medicare, provides no coverage at all.

And so, read your policy carefully. And even if you’re only planning one overseas trip, go out and get that overseas protection coverage, which should also include medical evacuation protection. Most travel agents sell it.

And it’s not an expensive premium, but keep in mind if you get sick or injured overseas, the cost of getting you back home could easily exceed $100,000.