What is Travel Medical Insurance?

• Provides emergency medical expense reimbursement while traveling abroad.
• Covers unexpected issues like injuries or illnesses but excludes routine care (e.g., check-ups).
• Can include coverage for medical evacuation, accidental death, and family-related benefits.

Key Features

• Coverage Examples:
• Emergency medical expenses: $50,000 to $2,000,000.
• Medical evacuation: $500,000 to unlimited.
• Emergency dental: Up to $500-$750.
• Family Support: Coverage for a family member's travel/hotel if you are hospitalized.
• Exclusions: Typically excludes pandemics, routine care, and travel to "Level 4 Do Not Travel" advisory countries.

Travel Insurance vs. Travel Medical Insurance

| Feature | Travel Medical Insurance | Comprehensive Travel Insurance |
|------------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| Trip cancellation | | |
| Emergency medical evacuation | | |
| Lost luggage | Limited | |
| Rental car coverage | | |

Types of Plans

• Primary vs. Secondary Coverage:
• Primary: Submit claims directly to the travel medical insurer.

• Secondary: File with your primary U.S. health insurance first, even if denied.

• Single-Trip vs. Multi-Trip:

• Single-Trip: Covers a specific trip; ends upon return.
• Multi-Trip: Covers multiple trips annually; requires U.S. health insurance.

How Much Does it Cost?

• Medical-only policies: Typically 7% of trip costs, averaging $96 for a policy.
• Comprehensive policies cost more (~$400 on average).

When to Consider Travel Medical Insurance

• You lack coverage abroad: U.S. health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid often do not cover international travel.
• Your credit card limits are low: Premium cards may offer $2,500-$10,000 in coverage, far less than third-party policies.
• Frequent travelers: Multi-trip plans offer ongoing coverage and cost savings.

How to Purchase Travel Medical Insurance

• Use comparison platforms like Squaremouth, InsureMyTrip, or Travel Guard.
• Customize policies based on trip type, destination, and personal needs.

Final Thoughts

Travel medical insurance ensures financial protection during emergencies abroad. Choose between a stand-alone medical policy or a comprehensive travel insurance plan based on your existing coverage and risk tolerance. Peace of mind starts with understanding your options!

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