Investing in an insurance policy is one of the wisest decisions travelers can make because it protects them from the various types of risks that are involved in traveling overseas. However, when you’re making plans to travel halfway across the globe, it can be hard to come to terms with what insurance you should buy vs. the kind you need.
Usually, most travelers are concerned about whether they should invest in simple travel medical insurance or travel health insurance. We’ll point out the main difference between the two, so you can make the most out of your trip aboard, minus the worries.
What does Travel Insurance mean, Anyway?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define travel insurance as a short-term safety that safeguards a traveler’s financial stake in a trip. This can comprise coverage for losses, an accident in-flight, canceled trip, and lost luggage.
It entirely depends on the policy whether or not your ‘travel insurance’ covers certain medical expenses. The CDC advises that travelers should do their homework on what kind of coverage they’ll require during the trip, and if they may need extra insurance for medical purposes.
The benefit
In the event that your flight is interrupted or canceled, your travel insurance reimburses the non-refundable costs of your trip. Based on the type of policy you buy, it may even cover other expenses that arise from your luggage getting stolen, damaged, or lost.
What am I looking for?
Good travel insurance always covers things like delays, missed departure, lost luggage, and even trip cancellations. Any less than that, and you’re probably paying too much for a plan that doesn’t offer enough coverage.
What about Travel Medical Insurance?
On the other hand, travel medical insurance also known as Visitor Insurance covers the costs of healthcare you may incur while on a trip overseas. This can include the cost of being taken to an emergency room, an ambulance, and staying in a hospital.
The CDC explains that travel medical insurance plans are fairly affordable and travelers can purchase them along with coverage, like insurance for medical evacuation.
Based on the kind of policy you get, your travel medical insurance plan may cover evacuation for political reasons, a natural disaster, terrorist attack, accidental death, and other things.
Nonetheless, these plans aren’t limited to just medical benefits; a few policies may even cover travel delay, lost baggage, and interrupted trips.
The Benefit
Due to the fact that your standard in-country medical insurance policy won’t cover costs while you’re overseas, a travel medical insurance plan allows coverage for medical costs that arise during your trip. It helps you avoid financial uncertainty that your trip might get ruined because of unexpected causes because you’ll have immediate access to adequate care.
What am I looking for?
A good travel medical insurance policy covers aspects, like travel assistance 24-hours a day, local cremation or burial, remains reparation, emergency evacuation for medical reasons, terrorist attacks, treatment in the ICU, ambulance costs, the expenses of a hospital room, and various deductible features.
What should I get?
The best visitor insurance plan or travel medical insurance policy is different for each traveler. It’s based on a variety of factors, like your age, financial resources, whether you’re traveling alone, where you’re going, what you’re traveling for, the priority of reaching on time, and how long you’ll be staying overseas. All these factors can contribute to the final plan you receive, but it’s always best to consult with an expert before making a decision.