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If health insurance when traveling is on your radar, this short guide cuts through the noise. Here is what is worth knowing, and how to put it to work today.
Key Takeaways
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Have you ever had to go to the hospital because of an accident or serious illness? It probably wasn’t fun or affordable, even if you have health insurance. Now imagine the same thing happening to you in a foreign country, with a totally different culture, language, and health care system.
Even if you’ve never broken your leg or contracted a serious disease, millions of other people have, and having these things happen to you while abroad can drain your wallet and your time in a big way.
Because of this, if you’re planning a trip abroad, particularly to countries with high rates of violence, disease, or both, you need to know about travel health insurance. Having your health insurance sorted out before your departure can save you lots of money and trouble if you do have a medical problem on your trip.
Understanding Health Insurance When Traveling Abroad
While you may already have health insurance in the United States or whatever country you live in, you must understand that most private health insurance plans are not valid when traveling internationally. Medicare, Medicaid, and other government programs are also not valid abroad, with only very limited exceptions (such as when a medical emergency occurs within the U.S. but the nearest hospital is across the border).
In addition, the vast majority of countries require foreign nationals to purchase health insurance valid in that country as a precondition of entry when traveling internationally. This is done to ensure that you won’t be a burden on their health care system if you become sick or injured.
If you require a visa to enter a certain country, you’re generally also required to purchase valid health insurance as part of the visa application process. For example, you’ll need to purchase health insurance if you’re going to study abroad in certain countries.
However, even countries that allow visa-free travel generally recommend or require health insurance, and border guards may request proof of it at ports of entry. For example, anyone applying for a Schengen visa to visit European countries in the Schengen Area is required to show proof of travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 in emergency expenses. U.S. citizens don’t currently need a Schengen visa for stays under 90 days, though a new EU pre-screening system called ETIAS is expected to launch in 2026 for visa-exempt travelers. Either way, the financial risk of going uninsured in Europe is just as real.
Travel health coverage generally falls into three categories:
1. Travel Health Insurance
Travel health insurance is standard health insurance and pays for routine medical services. Overseas travelers frequently purchase this type of health insurance because it covers the vast majority of cases. A popular travel health insurance company is Seven Corners, which offers several different types of plans to travelers.
2. Medical Evacuation Insurance
Medical evacuation insurance covers emergency medical transportation out of a given country. It’s ideal for:
- Travelers going to remote regions where local medical care is not readily available
- Cruise ship passengers, since ships at sea only have basic medical facilities
- Travelers going to developing countries where health care facilities may be low-quality or unable to provide specialized types of care
If any of these scenarios apply to you, consider purchasing a medical evacuation insurance plan in addition to standard travel health insurance. Numerous travel health insurance plans include medical evacuation insurance, either as part of a general package or as a supplement.
3. Accident Insurance
Accident insurance provides coverage should you suffer from a serious illness or injury. Accident insurance also provides coverage should you die overseas and wish to offset the costs of burial.
Accident insurance is a good choice for:
- Travelers engaging in risky physical activities, such as rock climbing or surfing
- Travelers who are worried about being maimed or killed in an accident
- Travelers who don’t have life insurance or whose life insurance is invalid where they’re planning to travel
You Can’t Afford to Skip Travel Health Insurance
You may think you don’t need health insurance, and the country you’re visiting may even allow you entry without requiring proof of having it. But you don’t want to risk not having it.
For example, one of my friends had appendicitis when she was traveling in France and didn’t have health insurance. After she had her appendix removed at the hospital, the French government tracked her down and stuck her with a €14,000 (roughly $16,000) medical bill. France also banned her from re-entering the country, and other Schengen Area countries in Europe, until she pays it off.
Additionally, while you may think you’re healthy and won’t run into problems overseas, numerous countries have inadequate sanitation systems, polluted drinking water, or other hazards you might not consider. Two of the most common causes of death among Americans abroad are drowning and traffic accidents, both of which can happen to anyone regardless of age or health.
In short, going without health insurance when traveling abroad can cost you in terms of both your health and your bank account, and it could even ruin your trip before it begins.
Travel Insurance vs. Travel Health Insurance
While travel insurance and travel health insurance overlap somewhat, they are not identical.
Travel health insurance merely covers medical issues, while travel insurance is a suite of trip-related insurance programs that may or may not include health insurance.
Travel insurance targets travelers who are worried about other problems that may occur on an overseas trip, including theft, lost or delayed baggage, and flight and transportation cancellations. As a result, it’s generally more expensive than travel health insurance. The cost of health insurance depends on your age, trip length, and coverage amount, while the cost of travel insurance is typically 4% to 10% of the cost of the trip itself.
If you’re looking for travel health insurance, a travel insurance plan that incorporates a health insurance component may be a wise investment.
What to Look For in a Travel Health Insurance Plan
Not all travel health insurance plans are equal, so research them carefully to find one that meets your needs. Here are some general things to look for when selecting a health insurance plan. Depending on your health, travel itinerary, and planned activities, you may not need plans that have some of these features, but they’re generally good things to look for when making your decision.
1. Emergency Medical Care
This is a no-brainer. A quality insurance plan should allow you to obtain emergency care in the event of an accident or illness.
2. Emergency Medical Transport
If you’re traveling to a remote region or developing country with inadequate health care services, you’ll need a plan that allows you to obtain transport out in case of a serious medical problem.
Numerous plans bundle medical evacuation insurance into a general health coverage plan, but others are much cheaper and only offer select types of coverage.
3. Financial Coverage
How much does the plan cover in terms of cost? How much are you required to pay out of pocket, if anything? Does the plan cover prescriptions? Your plan should offer the level and type of coverage best for your needs.
Standalone travel medical insurance is quite affordable. Recent data puts the average cost at around $5 per day, though premiums vary based on your age, destination, trip length, and coverage level.
4. Coverage Areas
What countries does the plan cover? Does it cover only one country, or is it applicable to multiple countries? You’ll need a plan that offers coverage across all of the countries you’re visiting. Your other option is to purchase plans for individual countries.
5. Coverage Length
Choose a plan that covers the entire duration of your trip. A plan that only partially covers your trip is a bad idea since you’ll be completely unprotected during the parts of your trip when you’re not covered.
Generally, numerous travel insurance plans offer per-trip and annual coverage, with the latter being ideal if you spend a lot of time overseas.
6. Pre-Existing Conditions
If you have a pre-existing condition, you’ll need a health insurance plan that covers it.
7. Coverage for Specific Activities
If you’re planning to engage in rock climbing, surfing, or other potentially hazardous activities when traveling abroad, you’ll need a health insurance plan that covers injuries you could sustain from these activities.
8. Travel & Accommodation Expenses
It’s a good idea to opt for a plan that covers travel and accommodation expenses incurred while seeking medical care.
9. 24-Hour Help Line
Numerous travel health insurance plans provide 24-hour phone lines, allowing you to get assistance or answers to your questions whenever you need them.
10. Direct Payment to Hospitals
One of the most time-consuming and frustrating issues with health insurance in the United States is the tug-of-war between health care providers and insurance companies over cost. This becomes even more of a pain when dealing with fore
Final Thoughts
Before you check out, double-check health insurance when traveling against current offers and any coupons you can stack. Small habits like this add up to real savings over a year.
Originally published at moneycrashers.com.
