Risks Related to Injury and Illness
Japan has adopted a mandatory health insurance system. Foreign residents, except for short time visitors, etc. are also required to enroll in it.
Such health insurance, however, does not cover all medical expenses.
Certain costs have to be paid by the patient. In particular, hospitalization and surgery costs may have to be met by the patient. In such a scenario, you may suddenly have to bear a heavy financial burden and have difficulty paying for it.
For example, the daily copayment for hospitalization is about 20,000 yen on average.
To prepare for the risk of injury, we recommend that you purchase personal accident insurance
Generally, most general insurance companies provide insurances such as the following.
Coverage
Personal accident insurance pays a fixed amount of benefit when you as the insured are injured from a sudden, unforeseen and external accident, whether in Japan or abroad, which falls under any of the following conditions.
- Death
- Permanent disability
- Inpatient or outpatient treatment or surgery
※Personal accident insurance provides coverage for injuries, but it does not cover illness.
Ordinary personal accident insurance covers:
- Traffic accident death
- Injuries sustained falling down stairs
- Injuries sustained falling off a bicycle
- Injuries sustained playing soccer
- Burns sustained while cooking
- Injuries sustained during travel
- On-the-job injuries
As coverage details vary between general insurance companies, please check to find the policy most suitable for you.
Other Types
Various types of personal accident insurance policy are available, ranging from those providing comprehensive daily life coverage to those providing limited coverage.
- Family-type personal accident insurance covers not only the insured, but also the insured’s family members.
- Traffic personal accident insurance covers only injuries resulting from traffic accidents.
- Overseas travelers’ personal accident insurance also covers illness during travel, unlike other personal accident insurance policies.
In addition, insurance claims are paid for liability for damages and loss of or damage to your baggage during travel, and for the travelling and accommodation expenses for your family members to visit you if you are involved in an accident.
※Please note that the explanations about the general insurance referred above are based on the Japanese laws and practices. Please also note that the explanations referred above are examples.
Actually, they may vary depending on each circumstance.
When you wish to obtain a personal accident insurance
To prepare for the risk of illness, we recommend that you purchase medical insurance
Personal accident insurance pays if you are injured, but it does not pay if you suffer an illness.
If you receive inpatient or outpatient treatment or surgery due to an illness, you may incur a large copayment for medical expenses. Therefore, as well as personal accident insurance, you also need additional insurance.
Generally, some general insurance companies provide insurances such as the following.
Coverage
Medical insurance pays a fixed amount when the insured receives inpatient or outpatient treatment or surgery as a result of suffering an illness and an injury.
For example, you are paid a fixed amount of benefit for the medical expense copayment, miscellaneous expenses arising from hospitalization (including private or semi-private room charges, costs of accompanying relatives, etc.), technical fees for advanced medical treatment, and other costs.
※Please note that the explanations about the general insurance referred above are based on the Japanese laws and practices. Please also note that the explanations referred above are examples.
Actually, they may vary depending on each circumstance.
When you wish to obtain a medical insurance