Travel is the most immersive experience in the world. From the authentic cobblestone roads of Europe to the dense tropical rainforests of Brazil and the sand-swept deserts of Egypt, traveling to a new destination can feel like traveling through time. Unfortunately, the more mundane issues of the modern world — like accidents, injuries, and illnesses- don’t simply disappear once travelers arrive in new countries.
Whether you’re planning to travel for business or leisure, alone or with a travel group, purchasing travel insurance with medical coverage is essential to receive the appropriate medical care while abroad and avoid exorbitant medical bills once you arrive home. Discover how comprehensive medical coverage in travel insurance can protect you and your peace of mind while exploring the world.
Travelers who strictly rely on medical insurance while traveling abroad can face several limitations when seeking medical care. In the event of a severe medical emergency, such as a critical illness or injury, medical insurance may not cover the costs of emergency evacuation to the nearest suitable medical facility. Instead, travelers may become responsible for transportation expenses, which can be a significant financial burden.
Likewise, medical insurance is narrowly focused on healthcare-related expenses. Unlike travel insurance plans, medical insurance will not address non-medical emergencies, such as trip cancellations, lost baggage, or travel delays, and will not provide round-the-clock assistance. Therefore, travelers solely relying on medical insurance may need help to handle these common travel disruptions.
If you’re a foreign citizen currently residing in the U.S., comprehensive travel insurance with medical coverage may be required to explore Europe’s border-free Schengen area. The 27 Schengen area countries, which include Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Italy, Spain, and Sweden, request Schengen travel insurance with medical protection. Emergency medical coverage in travel insurance must include hospitalization and repatriation.
Two words no traveler wants to hear after they’ve been ill or injured abroad is “coverage gap.’’ Unfortunately, standard medical insurance plans might not provide adequate coverage outside one’s home country. Most medical insurance plans, including Medicare, have geographical restrictions that limit emergency medical services, hospitalization, and other healthcare needs to specific regions or countries.
There’s a high probability that travelers who venture outside of the areas predefined in their insurance policy may need more adequate coverage in a medical emergency. This issue of inadequate coverage is particularly true for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions, who can face highly restrictive access to potentially life-saving medical care without travel insurance for medical emergencies abroad.
So, what does travel insurance with medical coverage typically include? Are pre-existing medical conditions covered in travel insurance? To better understand what is included in international travel insurance with medical benefits, let’s review the core coverages of the Go Ready Primary Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Plan by Aegis, which is ideal for anyone traveling three or more times per year for business or pleasure.
Coverage Now that you recognize the importance of travel insurance with medical coverage, it’s time to discuss primary coverage versus secondary coverage. These terms refer to how each insurance interacts with other insurance policies and are crucial for travelers seeking financial protection while abroad because they have implications for the order in which claims are processed. Let’s delve into the differences:
Travel insurance with primary coverage is the first line of defense in the event of a covered loss or expense, such as an accident or injury. In the case of a claimable event, the primary insurance will reimburse the insured first, regardless of whether other insurance policies (like a traveler’s current medical insurance plan) also cover the same incident.
Primary coverage often results in quicker claims processing since there is no need to coordinate with other insurance providers or wait on different policies to receive benefits. Plus, travelers can rely on the primary coverage to address a wide range of travel-related contingencies — like flight delays — without involving other insurance policies.
However, travel insurance with primary coverage may be more expensive than secondary coverage due to its broader protection scope.
On the other hand, travel insurance with secondary coverage is the second line of defense after the traveler’s primary insurance policy has paid its portion. In the case of a claimable event, secondary coverage acts as a supplement. It will cover the costs not fully addressed by the primary insurance, such as coverage gaps for medical care.
Secondary coverage can coordinate with existing insurance policies, from health insurance to homeowners insurance, to provide additional protection without duplicating coverage. It is also more cost-effective, making it an attractive option for those with robust primary coverage through another insurance policy.
However, the claims process may involve coordination between multiple insurance providers, leading to longer processing times. Likewise, depending solely on secondary coverage may leave travelers with gaps in protection if their primary insurance is insufficient and only applies to specific events, such as injuries from extreme sports.
Have you been asking yourself, “How do I choose the right travel insurance for my medical needs?” If so, the safest decision is to purchase travel insurance with medical coverage that applies to unlimited trips per calendar year. The Annual Go Ready Primary Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Plan is designed to offer continuous medical protections alongside robust travel-related benefits, such as:
Travel can transport you from ancient cities and foreign countries to new ones. Still, it won’t allow you to escape the everyday dangers of your normal life, whether it’s a pre-existing medical condition, unavoidable accident, or uncontrollable travel delay. Travel insurance with medical coverage, like the Go Ready Primary Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Plan, will allow you to travel confidently.
If you’re looking for the most comprehensive medical coverage in travel insurance, compare Go Ready plans today.
This amazing feature allows our clients to potentially avoid fronting their own monies and going through a claim reimbursement process. By contacting Aegis immediately when experiencing any covered event such as a flight disruption, illness, or injury, our team can coordinate the solution and pay for it on the spot. This includes booking or rearranging flights and hotels, coordinating medical care, or arranging a medical evacuation or repatriation. Learn More →
Aegis General Insurance Agency Inc.
Travel Insurance Division
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