Travel medical insurance is designed specifically for traveling abroad with you, and in this article, we’ll delve into the main features of these plans, coverage options, and approximate costs.
International travel medical plans are typically available for less than two years and can be used as a stand-alone plan or as a supplement to major medical insurance.
If you already have a permanent insurance solution, additional travel coverage will be considered secondary insurance, perfect for adding additional benefits such as transportation in case of a medical emergency. Travel options can also help cover additional expenses not covered by your primary insurance.
Main characteristics of travel medical plans
Worldwide coverage
Normally, travel insurance is designed to provide coverage anywhere in the world outside of the country of origin, which makes it a very convenient option. Often, if you need coverage outside the United States, you won’t even have to pay coinsurance, like with our Atlas Travel plan.
More coverage for less
Typically, these plans offer a high-yield policy, and often the flexibility to choose your deductible. Prices are based on age, trip length, and the coverage amount, allowing you to purchase the exact number of days you need. Due to the brief nature of our travel plans, exposure to an insurance company is less so they can offer great benefits at an affordable price.
One of the big differences between travel insurance and traditional medical insurance is the benefits. In addition to traditional coverage, such as hospitalization and medical prescriptions, travel plans are standardized with aspects such as transfer, repatriation, and interruption of the trip. Some even include lost luggage and document assistance in case your personal belongings go missing. For a more in-depth look at possible coverage options, check out the article Better understand the benefits of travel insurance.
travel assistance
Many plans provide excellent travel assistance packages ranging from concierge service, money transfers, translation assistance, bail bond assistance, and more. Normally, the insurance company through which you purchase your plan will provide you with a toll-free access number in many countries around the world so that you can get help by phone at any time.
family coverage
Almost all travel medical plans allow you to ensure your entire family for the same rate, or in some modern travel plans, children are covered for free if both parents are insured on the plan.
What aspects does international travel medical insurance not cover?
Since these plans are designed as short-term options, they will not traditionally cover long-term conditions such as maternity, psychological well-being, preventative care, and pre-existing conditions. As with any plan, be sure to contact your insurance agent and review the policy’s exclusions before you buy.
Who do these plans work best for?
For anyone traveling outside their home country for less than two years, whether for business or leisure, seeking traditional medical coverage with additional travel benefits such as trip interruption and lost luggage. Travel plans also work well for dependents not covered by your spouse’s insurance as well as students looking for short-term coverage without a strict list of school requirements.
Regular prices for coverage within the United States
Like most insurance plans, travel health insurance premiums are based on the age, time, and location for which coverage is required. Of course, the prices will also depend on the plan you choose, but if you are 30 years old and need travel insurance in the United States, you can get a cheap plan for $38 a month or around $0.38 a day. Keep in mind that you can lower the price of coverage by increasing your deductible, but you’ll need to pay the full deductible before your insurance company pays for eligible expenses. Above age 30, prices tend to rise dramatically with each decade, and be wary of 80-year-old travelers as they may not be insured on all plans.
Regular prices for coverage outside the United States
Coverage outside the United States tends to be much cheaper. For travelers under 30, it is possible to find a plan for less than $1 per day. As with any insurance plan, the older you are, the more expensive the health insurance will be, based on the fact that you represent more liability for the insurer. It’s not unusual for people over the age of 60 to pay close to $4 a day for affordable travel insurance, while the figure typically doubles within a few years.
If an international travel medical plan sounds like the best option for your needs, check out our Atlas Travel plan. It offers worldwide coverage from 5 to 364 days with benefits for hospitalization, prescriptions, medical transfer and repatriation, lost luggage, and much more. If you are not convinced that a travel insurance plan is your best option, contact us so that we can provide you with our experience.
