Whether you’re planning a holiday vacation overseas with the family during spring break, heading off on a romantic jaunt to Paris, taking in some fun in the sun with your besties in Cabo, or going on a guys’ trip to Japan this summer, it’s important to be protected with travel medical insurance while you’re abroad. The last thing you want to deal with is an uncovered medical emergency and a pile of unexpected bills.
Even if you’re going on a short international trip, you could end up having to deal with unfamiliar healthcare systems, language barriers, and out-of-pocket medical costs that you wouldn’t have at home. Also, in many countries, hospitals require payment upfront before treatment is provided, which can quickly turn a medical situation into a financial one without proper coverage in place.
Start your picture-perfect vacation with peace of mind. Here are the ins and outs of travel medical insurance when going abroad.
When the Unexpected Happens While Traveling
If you become ill or injured while traveling outside your home country, travel medical insurance can help cover emergency medical costs. From food poisoning and infections to slips, falls, or accidents during excursions, travel medical insurance is designed to help protect you from the financial impact of sudden, unexpected medical events while abroad.
Costs could include ambulance charges, hospital stays, intensive care unit (ICU) expenses, doctor visits, prescription medications, and related care. Coverage is especially important when traveling to destinations where your health insurance plan provides little to no international coverage.
In addition to helping cover medical expenses, many travel medical insurance plans offer 24/7 assistance services. These services can help travelers locate nearby medical facilities, arrange care with local providers, assist with language translation, and coordinate treatment in unfamiliar locations. Having access to professional support while navigating a foreign healthcare system can be invaluable during a stressful situation.
When Evacuation Services Are Required for Medical Treatment
In cases where you need to be evacuated back to your home because of a serious injury or illness, depending on the travel medical insurance plan you choose, you can obtain evacuation coverage up to a certain amount. Medical evacuations may involve air ambulances, specially trained medical staff, and long-distance transport to the nearest appropriate facility or back home. These services can cost thousands of dollars without the right insurance plan, even for relatively short distances, making evacuation coverage an integral part of your travel plans.
Evacuation coverage is particularly important for travelers visiting remote destinations, rural areas, or regions where advanced medical care may not be readily available. In these situations, evacuating to a hospital at home may be medically necessary to receive appropriate treatment, and having coverage in place can help avoid overwhelming expenses during an already difficult time.
You can also purchase a policy that includes repatriation of remains to your home country in the event of death while abroad.
Policies Are Available Globally
Travel medical insurance plans are available to residents of many countries and can provide coverage in most destinations worldwide. Coverage availability may vary based on your country of residence, destination, trip length, and age, with many plans designed to accommodate travelers visiting multiple countries on a single trip. Plan flexibility makes travel medical insurance a practical option for those vacationing, studying abroad, traveling for business, or staying overseas for an extended period of time.
Beware: Not All Travel Medical Insurance Policies Are the Same
There are various travel medical policies available with differing coverage amounts, exclusions, and limits. It’s important to compare plans and providers before you purchase so you get the right coverage. Typically, you can purchase travel medical insurance for one specific international trip or opt for an annual plan if you travel internationally multiple times a year.
Key differences between plans may include maximum medical benefit limits, deductibles, evacuation coverage amounts, and whether coverage is primary or secondary to other insurance. Some policies may include optional benefits, such as coverage for adventure activities or limited coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, while others may exclude them altogether. Be sure to review plan details carefully so that the coverage you choose aligns with how and where you plan to travel.
Understanding these differences can help you avoid coverage gaps while traveling.
Take Note: Routine Care Is Not Covered
Travel medical insurance is primarily for emergency and unforeseen medical issues, not routine checkups or elective procedures while abroad. This means expenses such as annual physicals, routine dental cleanings, or planned treatments are generally excluded. However, if a sudden illness or injury requires immediate attention while traveling, travel medical insurance can help cover those unexpected medical needs and associated costs.
Who Should Consider Travel Medical Insurance?
Travel medical insurance is a smart choice for most international travelers, including vacationers, students studying abroad, solo travelers, retirees traveling overseas, green card holders, expats, and business travelers. It can be especially important for travelers visiting countries where healthcare costs are high, public healthcare is limited, or upfront payment is required for treatment. No matter how healthy you are, medical emergencies can happen at any age and without warning, so it’s best to be well protected.
TravelInsurance.com Offers Low-Cost Policies for International Travelers Across the Globe
TravelInsurance.com has helped millions of international travelers from 175 countries get a travel medical plan that fits their needs in under five minutes. With TravelInsurance.com, you can easily review coverage details side-by-side, compare prices, and select a plan that works for your destination, trip length, and budget.
You can also trust that our easy-to-use platform is safe and secure. Additionally, our plans are from top-tier insurance companies you can trust.
TravelInsurance.com is also dedicated to providing best-in-class service, as evidenced by 98% of customers’ five-star reviews on Shopper Approved.
Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or an extended international adventure, having travel medical insurance in place lets you focus on enjoying your trip, knowing you’re prepared if the unexpected happens.
To compare and buy travel health insurance online with medical only coverage, please visit our medical.travelinsurance.com website.
To compare and buy travel insurance online with comprehensive coverage (including trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage), please click here.