Travel Health Insurance

HealthInsuranceFinders.com is your best destination for cheap travel insurance. In the event of a travel accident, insurance is essential to cover unexpected medical costs. Get free travel insurance quotes for cheap travel health insurance and travel medical insurance plans.

If you are a U.S. citizen and are planning a trip outside of the country, you might consider purchasing a travel health insurance policy. Travel medical insurance should be considered whether you travel for business or pleasure because international travel involves risk. A personal emergency may necessitate an early return to your home country. A medical emergency may require hospitalization or even air evacuation. In most cases, your existing health insurance will not provide adequate protection for these and other risks. Without appropriate travel accident insurance, you may be exposed to significant financial liability. Travel health insurance can take the risks out of international travel, so you can have an enjoyable and productive trip.

A travel health insurance policy may have more exclusions and restrictions than a domestic U.S. health plan. Travel health insurance is also available to non-U.S. residents who are traveling to the U.S. or any other foreign country. Many countries have a socialized health care system that does not provide coverage outside of the country. The cost of purchasing a travel insurance policy to cover trips to the U.S. will typically be higher because the cost of health care in the Unites States is higher than in most other countries. To better understand your options and make an educated decision, review our How-To Guide for Choosing a Travel Medical Insurance Plan.

Although the primary benefit of a travel medical insurance policy is the health insurance coverage, most travel plans will provide additional benefits. Benefits of purchasing a travel insurance plan may include: emergency dental coverage, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, return trips to the U.S., trip interruption, lost luggage and accidental death or dismemberment benefits. For more information and definitions on these additional travel insurance benefits, visit our travel healthinsurance benefits section.

Travel Medical Insurance Policies

As was mentioned above, travel medical insurance policies may have restrictions and limitations that might otherwise be expected from your domestic health plan in the United States. The most noticeable of these limitations is the length of coverage. Your domestic health insurance policy will not typically have an expiration date. Travel medical insurance policies are purchased only for the length of time that you will be outside of your home country and will expire immediately upon your return. Other limitations may include: treatment of pre-existing conditions, charges that exceed Reasonable and Customary fees, medical expenses that are not considered medically necessary, routine physical exams, immunizations, injury caused from hazardous sports or activities, maternity coverage, drug or overdose treatments, routine dental care and routine eye care. For more information and definitions on these common exclusions, visit our travel helath insurance exclusions section.

It is important to understand that a travel insurance plan will not pay for pending medical treatments associated with a pre-existing condition. Many non-U.S. citizens consider traveling to the U.S. for the quality health care treatment offered in America. Since the health insurance coverage in their home country will not usually pay for treatment received in the United States, they consider purchasing a travel health insurance policy. They will not find a travel insurance company that will pay for medical treatment incurred for which travel was undertaken to seek this medical treatment. Travel insurance coverage should only be purchased to cover unexpected medical emergencies, not to provide coverage for current medical conditions and medications.

Travel insurance may be purchased for periods of travel as little as 5 days. Persons traveling or residing outside of their home country for longer periods of time may purchase coverage for up to one year. Many travel medical insurance policies are renewable for up to three years. For expatriates who are moving to a foreign country may purchase an international health insurance policy that is annually renewable. These types of health plans are more similar to standard domestic health plan. For information about more permanent long-term foreign coverage, visit our International Health Insurance section.

A type of insurance that you may also consider for your international travels is a trip cancellation policy. This type of insurance is designed to reimburse you for your prepaid trip costs in the even that you are unable to complete your travel plans due to an unexpected event. Many travel agencies, airlines, hotels, cruise lines and vacation packages require a sizeable deposit or full-payment well in advance of your scheduled travel date. If you were to become ill prior to your trip, you are likely to loose your reservation deposits. A trip cancellation policy will reimburse you for these lost deposits. For more information about this type of coverage, visit our Trip Cancellation Insurance section.

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