Travel Medical Insurance

HOW NOT TO MAKE A MISTAKE WITH TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE

On this page, we will try to answer the critical questions about travel medical insurance that often arise for travelers when planning their trip, such as what travel insurance coverage, why it is needed, and how to recover if an insured event occurs. So, let’s begin and check BASIC QUESTIONS ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE.

TABLE OF CONTENT

WHAT IS IT?

Travel insurance is a temporary travel insurance document that protects travelers from financial losses related to medical care and specific transport, and other unforeseen expenses.

IS TRAVEL INSURANCE COMPULSORY WHEN TRAVELING?

Although travel insurance is optional, we recommend you take it out before your trip. It doesn’t cost too much, and the sums covered are pretty impressive. It is difficult to predict what will happen during your trip and whether you will need expensive medical treatment, especially if you plan an active holiday. In many countries, medical care is costly, and you will have much more peace of mind with insurance.

One more critical point; if you apply for a visa, travel insurance is compulsory in most (almost all) cases. 

HOW LONG YOU CAN APPLY FOR

In most cases, it is taken out for as many days of travel as you need, starting at 00.00. Some companies allow you to extend the policy if you need to. 

Many insurance companies can offer a good deal on an insurance policy for quick trips for an entire year. Such offers are great for active travelers.

You can take pregnancy insurance out for a maximum of 10-14 days.

Instead, the travel policy for active sports is valid for a maximum of 30 days. 

WHO CAN BUY IT?

Anyone of legal age can buy travel insurance. In some countries, it starts at 18, in others at 21 or over.

You can buy the policy for yourself or any other person, such as a relative, friend, acquaintance. It is only essential to have all the information about the person. 

HOW TO TAKE OUT TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR CHILDREN

The procedure for children does not differ from that for adults. Some companies take out a separate policy for the child, while others put the child on the parent’s adult one (this does not affect the insurance itself).

The insurance policy costs about 20% more than an adult’s policy for children under seven years. 

CHOOSE THE RIGHT INSURANCE

If you have bought a tour and a travel agent arranged all the paperwork, they must also take care of purchasing travel insurance for you, but if you are planning your trip on your own, then:

    • First, decide where you are going and what you will do during the trip.
    • Then, search the internet for policies that meet your criteria.
    • Please read the reviews of the insurance companies you like, find out how they work, what they offer, and how travel insurance coverage works. Read carefully, especially the small print.
    • If you are satisfied, you can take out and buy insurance on the company’s website or in their office. If you purchase it online, you will receive it via email. 

HOW YOU CAN BUY 

Insurance can be taken out and paid for on insurance companies’ official or intermediary websites. Or come and take it out at the insurance company’s office.

If you buy your tour through a travel agent, they usually arrange travel insurance for their clients.

WHAT INFORMATION YOU MAY NEED WHEN BUYING

The information you may be asked for varies slightly from company to company. But mostly it is the following information:

    • Full name and surname (and patronymic, or middle name if you have one).
    • Passport series and number with which you will travel.
    • Date of birth.
    • Telephone number and email address.
    • Address in case you need to return home for treatment.
    • The dates of travel for which you wish to take out the policy.
    • The countries you plan to visit.

WHAT THE COST OF TRAVEL INSURANCE DEPENDS ON

Age

The elderly and young children are more expensive to insure.

Amount of insurance cover

The elderly and young children are more expensive to insure.

Number of days on insurance

The more days, the more expensive it.

Countries visited

Some countries cost more to insure.

Existence of a franchise

When an event occurs, the insurance company will pay part of the costs (this is stated in the franchise), and the insured person pays others.

Travel appointments

If you are playing active sports or traveling for work where there is a risk of injury, this policy will be more expensive than the standard policy.

WHEN IT IS BEST TO BUY INSURANCE

It is advisable to buy a policy while planning your trip, as it sometimes includes indemnification in the event of trip cancellation.

If you are already on your way, some (not all) companies also offer travel insurance for the correct dates and country.

Important: Some insurance companies will not take out a policy if you have already left your country of residence. They will only cover you until you have crossed the border into your chosen country. 

CAN THE INFORMATION ON TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE BE CHANGED?

It is entirely possible. To change your insurance details (e.g., travel date or data errors), contact the company’s number or email address where you purchased the policy.

In most cases, this will not be a problem, but there are exceptions, so choose your insurance company wisely. 

CAN THE TRAVEL INSURANCE BE REFUNDED?

For a refund, you must also contact the company to purchase the insurance and request a refund. But it would be best if you did this before the policy starts. Keep in mind that each company has a different refund policy. Some reimburse the total cost of the policy only if it lasts over one month. Some companies give a time limit from purchase during which they can refund the insurance.

You usually receive unused insurance money to your credit card within 1-3 weeks of refund confirmation. 

DO I HAVE TO PRINT OUT THE INSURANCE BEFORE TRAVELING?

If you have bought a policy online, you can download your travel insurance on the vendor’s website on your page. You will receive it in your email. Sometimes, the insurance company’s policy number and contact details are sent by text message to the phone number you specify.

    • If you are applying for a visa, be aware of printing the insurance out.
    • When you are traveling to a country where you do not need a visa, at border control, you may be asked to confirm that you have everything you need for your tourist stay; it is advisable to print out insurance and hotel/car reservation.
    • Where none of this is required, you can save the insurance on your smartphone. But don’t forget, it may run out of power, and in the event of an insured event, that’s where the contact number for the correct country is listed. So, write it out separately on paper.

COVERAGE AMOUNTS INSURED

Travel medical insurance typically covers the following amounts:
    • $10000 or €
    • $15000 or €
    • $30000 or €
    • $35000 or €
    • $40000 or €
    • $50000 or €
    • $60000 or €
    • $75000 or €
    • $100000 or €
    • $200000 or €

Primary services that are included in such insurance

    • A doctor’s appointment for medical reasons
    • Outpatient treatment
    • Reimbursement for prescription drugs
    • Hospital stays and treatment
    • Transport to a doctor or hospital
    • Refund of telephone calls to the service center
    • Emergency dentistry
    • Medical transport from abroad
    • Repatriation
Among the other services mentioned above, medical evacuation is of particular importance.

What else can be included?

    • Paying the insured person’s travel costs to their place of residence after hospital treatment
    • Payment for home transportation of the insured person’s minor children
    • Emergency dentistry (if not included in the introductory offer)
    • Travel expenses for a companion after hospital treatment of the insured
    • Paying for a companion visit in case of an emergency with the insured
    • Payment for the insured person’s accommodation before departure after hospital treatment
    • Paying for the accommodation of an escort in case of an emergency with the insured
    • Cope with exacerbations of chronic diseases
    • Help in the presence of alcohol intoxication
    • Early return in the death’s event of a close relative
    • Aid because of terrorist attacks
    • Dengue fever insurance
    • The temporary return home of the insured person
    • Disaster relief (tornadoes, floods, tsunamis, etc.)
    • Cure allergic reactions
    • Help with sunburn

ADDITIONAL INSURANCE

You can add additional services to general travel medical insurance to make traveling more comfortable. Some insurance companies may offer such services as a separate policy. It is up to you to choose your preference. Let’s look at what these suggestions are:

Legal aid

If you break the host country’s law, you can consult a lawyer at the insurance company’s expense (except in criminal cases and vehicle offenses).

Air travel insurance

The insurance company will pay you compensation if your flight is delayed or canceled.

Baggage insurance

The insurance company will reimburse the loss of luggage and, if it is delayed, pay for the first things you need while you wait for it.

High-risk work

If you go to another country on a business trip and are injured in your professional activities, the insurance company will pay for treatment costs.

Insurance for losing documents

If you lose your passport, visa, or ticket while traveling, or if it is stolen, the insurance company will help you arrange for duplicates and cover these costs.

Travel appointments

If you are playing active sports or traveling for work where there is a risk of injury, this policy will be more expensive than the standard one.

Trip cancellation insurance

Suppose you cancel your trip because of severe property damage, injury, hospitalization, and other serious problems. In that case, the insurance company will fully reimburse the travel costs (i.e., the cost of the tour, tickets, hotel, etc.).

Insurance against pregnancy complications

If you are pregnant, you may be eligible for additional medical help if there are complications with your pregnancy (read more below).

Traveling in a private car

If you are traveling in your car and have an accident, or if your car breaks down or is stolen, the insurance company will pay for transporting the vehicle to the nearest service station. It will also cover the costs of your return to your temporary stay in the country you are traveling through (e.g., hotel or accommodation).

Public liability insurance

Suppose you unintentionally cause damage to the health or property of third parties. In that case, the insurance company will cover all costs related to compensation (not applicable to people driving a car or motor vehicle).

Accident insurance

The insurance company will pay not only for the treatment but also for the additional monetary compensation.

ADDITIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS AND ATHLETES

For lovers of outdoor activities, we recommend adding an option with additional risks to the primary insurance (e.g., from the “sports and outdoor activities” category, to choose the desired sport or leisure activity to cover the costs associated with it in case of accidents). Otherwise, the insurance company will deny it. Such a policy usually lasts no longer than 30 days. When insuring outdoor enthusiasts, the following sports are trendy:

Diving

(Dive Insurance Policy – DIP) Usually, all dive schools and centers take out such insurance for their clients before diving. This policy includes treatment for decompression sickness + medication. The insurance cost depends on the dive’s depth and additional services such as search services and sports equipment breakdown. Typically, the maximum depth at which you can take out diving insurance is 40 meters.

Golf

This insurance policy usually covers treatment for injuries sustained while playing golf and transporting the insured person to the hospital. Liability insurance (see above) can be added to such a policy.

Mountaineering

Additional climbing insurance will cover the cost of significant bruises, sprains, and fractures in climbing (these can be injuries to the musculoskeletal system, head, tendons, and ligaments). The basic insurance includes first aid, transportation of the climber to the hospital, plus treatment. However, suppose the insured ignores the warning signs and climbs into a prohibited area or is drunk. In that case, the insurance company may refuse to pay for a specific insured event. Keep in mind that few insurance companies take out mountaineering insurance. It costs twice as much as regular hiking insurance. We recommend including search and rescue services and public liability insurance (see above).

Skiing sports

Anyone practicing skiing or snowboarding is advised to add the additional risks associated with this activity to their primary insurance. Assuming that you are injured while skiing, the insurance company will cover transport costs to the insured person’s hospital and treatment. If you are a professional athlete and travel to sporting events, choose the right sports category and take out an insurance policy, just in case. The price of the policy will then be higher. Be aware that some companies do not insure professional athletes. On active holiday travel insurance, the following options can sometimes be added to and paid for:
    • Helicopter evacuation
    • Search and rescue activities
    • Traveling on a motorbike/moped

INSURANCE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

Many pregnant women are advised not to travel and to stay at home in their usual environment. Still, if they decide to travel, it is worth adding extra covers to their basic policy.

BUT! There are some nuances to consider in this case:

    • It is essential to consider the gestational age at the time you return from your trip. The shorter the term, the easier it is to find travel medical insurance. Up to 24 weeks, you can easily find suitable insurance. Above that, few insurance companies will cover you.
    • Many insurance companies pay for treatment specifically for the woman and not for the baby in the womb.
    • Transportation for a woman to her permanent residence in her home country is usually not included in such insurance.
    • The insurance itself is issued for a maximum of 10 to 14 days.
    • Childbirth (even premature birth) and childcare are not covered.
    • Also, abortion is not covered by the insurance unless it was life-threatening for the woman.
    • The sum insured for pregnancy complications rarely exceeds 5,000 USD/EUR. Once this amount is exceeded, all costs will have to be paid from your wallet.

WHAT OTHER TYPES OF TRAVEL INSURANCE CAN BE FOUND IN DIFFERENT COMPANIES

Besides standard insurance policies, different companies may offer additional options for travelers.

Here are the most common ones:

PET INSURANCE

If you are traveling with pets, you can also take out travel insurance for them. Such an insurance policy is not very costly and depends on the breed of pet, its value, various titles, and certificates won at exhibitions. You can insure dogs, cats, and other pets. Insurance for a cat is cheaper than insurance for a dog.

Not all insurance companies take out this type of insurance. The pet’s age is also crucial, as it will only be insured if it is over 3 months old or less than 7-8-10 years old. Older animals are hard to insure. Sometimes a pet may be refused insurance if its breed cannot be confirmed. 

WHAT ELSE TO CONSIDER WHEN TAKING OUT TRAVEL INSURANCE

    • Travel insurance for Schengen countries is usually taken out with cover in euros. 
    • Be aware that not all insurance companies are prepared to pay for COVID-19 care.
    • It is advisable to choose an insurance policy with a minimum cover of USD/EUR 50,000. In most cases, this amount suffices to cover the costs of travel-related injuries.
    • It does not include treatment for sunburn in the basic travel insurance, and you pay for it separately.
    • In many companies, rates for people over the age of 65-70 are more expensive for travel insurance coverage than for a younger group of people.
    • Most insurance companies do not insure people over the age of 85.
    • Insurance companies do not insure professional athletes or non-residents of the country where the insurance is issued.
    • Some companies do not take out a travel insurance policy for the country of residence of the client concerned, i.e., travel abroad to buy and use the insurance.
    • Rarely the insurance company will repay if an event occurs while the insured person is intoxicated.
    • Many travelers often confuse travel insurance with an international health policy. Be aware that an international health insurance policy is issued for a foreigner’s long-term stay in a foreign country (e.g., from one year or more) and covers only medical services, without payment for medicines bought at a pharmacy. Often a plastic card is issued with the purchase of such health insurance.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF AN INSURED EVENT OCCURS?

Hopefully, you won’t need to take out travel insurance; if so, there are certain things you need to do, which we’ll try to explain below. Every country has its own companies that sell travel insurance. They cooperate with international assistance companies that will help you if you need help. They are the companies you will need to contact to ask for help. Renowned major international insurance companies have their own offices and branches in most countries of the world, which you will contact. If an insured event occurs and the insured person needs help, determine the level of danger to the insured person’s health and life, and if the situation is dangerous, call the host country’s emergency services. If help is needed, but the problem is not life-threatening for the insured person, then:

Call the insurance

Call the insurance company’s customer service number listed on your policy and report the insured event. Often the staff will offer to call you back to ensure that the connection is not interrupted. Remember that you may be refused reimbursement in the future without agreeing to all subsequent costs with the insurance company.

Follow the instructions

Then follow the instructions that the company will give you.
    1. In most cases, the company will contact the right clinic and arrange your transport to it. Here, the insurance company will pay the costs by bank transfer directly to the health care provider.
    2. If you have had to pay for medical services yourself with a bank card or cash, you can request all losses by providing the insurance company with all receipts. To do this, contact the company and find out what reimbursement options they use.

Questions

The insurance company may ask for the following information to be reimbursed:
    1. Full name and date of birth
    2. The number of the policy for which reimbursement is planned
    3. Receipts, tests, and diagnoses related to the insured event: the insurance will often ask you for a doctor’s prescription to accompany the receipts from medicines’ purchase.
    4. If you have any other travel policy of another company for the dates of this trip, enclose the policy number and the name of the insurance company.

Recovering the costs

There are a couple of ways to recover costs:
    1. It’s usually a transfer to a bank account or card. You will need to send all the receipts and bank card information to the insurance company’s email. They will send you a confirmation of acceptance, then information about when and how much you will receive in terms of reimbursing.
    2. If it is not possible to send the cheques by email, find out if it is possible to send the insurance company cheques by ordinary mail in an envelope to the correct address.

Special case

Suppose you have several claims for different insured events, e.g., separate policies (one for medical and another for lost luggage). In that case, insurance companies often ask to make an independent claim for each event.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, let’s make it clear once again:

    • Travel medical insurance is not compulsory in most cases, but it is advisable (for visas).
    • With active holidays, it is better to buy an additional travel insurance policy.
    • Basic insurance covers only certain expenses, which you can find on the website of the desired company. To extend the coverage, you will need to add additional policies. Each company has its own terms and conditions.
    • Not only people but also pets and luggage can be insured.

Based on all the above, before buying travel insurance, calculate all the nuances of your trip. For example, will the rest be active, the children go with you, how old you are, and how country you plan to go to. After all, even when insurance is not required, it can help you and help you save a lot of money.

We hope our information has been helpful to you and will help you choose suitable travel medical insurance! Travel safely and without hassle!

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