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Travel and international health insurance protect you from costly emergencies abroad. Learn the key differences, why expats need coverage, and how to choose the right plan for your stay overseas.
Traveling to or living in a different country can be challenging. You must consider food expenses and lodging costs, and then adjust to a new culture. Another critical aspect that many people often overlook is access to healthcare services and medical facilities.
When discussing insurance abroad, two terms frequently arise: travel insurance and international health insurance.
Travel insurance is built to cover flight cancellations, loss of belongings, and emergency medical treatment. More comprehensive travel insurance policies can also cover the costs associated with a delayed departure.
International health insurance is designed for workers, expats, or global citizens who reside in another country for an extended period. An international insurance plan helps cover the expenses associated with everyday illnesses and serious health issues. More comprehensive plans can cover rehabilitation, maternity, childbirth, and cancer treatment.
Here are the reasons why you should get travel or international health insurance when going abroad.
One of the primary reasons for expat insurance is compliance with legal requirements. The immigration office of the country you are visiting may require you to submit insurance documents before issuing you a visa.
The destination country will impact the type of international health insurance you need. Some areas will require a kind of insurance that covers specific health conditions before you are allowed to enter. Typically, the policy should cover a certain amount of expense in local currency and should last for the length of your stay.
There are stricter countries that may investigate your existing health condition and see if you’re covered by insurance before allowing entry to their region. Generic health insurance policies are easy to get, but you must double-check whether they satisfy the requirements set by your destination country.
International health insurance is beneficial if you need to visit a doctor or a medical facility abroad. The insurer can help you locate a doctor abroad and cover costs for treatment. If you’re an expatriate, expat health insurance is a necessity because it ensures that you have access to a doctor or hospital for medical treatment. Expat insurance also offers the luxury of choosing the facility and, sometimes, even the doctor who will attend to your medical needs.
Travel insurance protects your financial investment in a trip. It covers the cost of accidental baggage loss, unexpected trip cancellation, and even flight accidents. You would not want to spend money on something you did not get to enjoy. Travel insurance helps you recover the cost of the mishap so that you can focus on the trip instead of the expenses caused by unexpected situations. In some cases, your existing health insurance plan may cover you abroad.
Healthcare service in another country can be costly. If you have a severe medical problem and have a high chance of requiring emergency care, then you need international health insurance to cover the associated costs.
If you have a pre-existing health condition or a chronic illness, health insurance abroad will most likely be a strict requirement. Ensure that the policy can cover all your medical needs for the duration of your stay. Out-of-pocket expenses in a foreign country can be very costly, and you don’t want them to be part of your travel memories.
An international health insurance plan helps cover the medical expenses of individuals or groups traveling abroad. Not only does it cover the costs for major operations, but also outpatient care and general clinic visits. It can also cover the cost of prescription drugs and lab tests.
Many insurance policies are customizable, allowing you to adjust the benefits, coverage, and limits according to your budget and medical needs. Comprehensive policies cover almost everything, from emergency health services and surgeries to general visits and dental care.
When shopping for a health insurance plan, the cheapest option is not always the best. It’ll probably have the bare minimum coverage and will be riddled with high minimums and deductibles. Thoroughly inspect the basic coverages, as well as the availability of add-ons such as emergency family travel arrangements, emergency evacuation, or mortal remains repatriation.
Domestic insurance policies may offer basic coverage for short-term travel abroad. But they often have limited coverage, higher deductibles, and more expensive minimums to pay for emergency services.
Before purchasing international health insurance, check your local policy to avoid duplicate coverage. Not only is this costly, but it is also practically useless.
Sometimes expats face exorbitant healthcare costs from exploitative facilities abroad. Worse, there are cases when foreigners are discriminated against in receiving proper health services in another country.
Who will you contact for medical emergencies if you’re alone in a foreign land? It can be challenging to deal with the differences in healthcare policies in that country, especially if you’re used to receiving prime service in your hometown.
Without insurance, you’ll be grasping for contact numbers of local doctors or hospitals. You’ll also probably have trouble dealing with health facilities that need to verify your medical history. Processing the papers for your bill is another story, but it is a hassle nonetheless, especially if you’re unfamiliar with how things work abroad.
Having the hotline of your insurance provider can be reassuring for travel. On the other line are insurance agents who can guide you through country-specific protocols and provide you with the necessary medical attention quickly.
Studying, working, or vacationing abroad each requires a different kind of health insurance policy. The risks associated with each activity vary, so selecting the appropriate insurance plan increases your protection.
For instance, if you’re going abroad to finish your studies, a basic policy may suffice because of the low risks involved. On the other hand, if you’re going to do volunteer work or get a medical operation abroad, you’ll be subjected to a higher health risk, so you’ll need a more comprehensive policy.
Regardless of your age and purpose of going abroad, one thing is for sure: the risks to your health are real, and you must acknowledge them before booking a flight.
There are an endless number of healthcare systems worldwide, and navigating them can be tedious. Sure, there are third-party insurance providers that work as middlemen to assist you in selecting a service provider. But are they giving you the best policy needed for your travel?
International Citizens Insurance is a company made up of a team of experts in the global insurance field. Our daily clientele comprises expats, nomads, and international citizens who live and travel abroad.
We are a leading global insurance provider, offering access to a range of international health and travel insurance plans. Whether you’re traveling solo or in a group, we’re sure to find the perfect plan to meet your needs. We’ll guide you in selecting the best international health insurance plan for your specific needs and walk you through the application process.
Unlike traditional insurance brokers, we provide our personal service using an online business model. Through this, we offer 24/7 accessibility on our insurance plans, so you can get in touch with us whenever you need to. There’s no need to worry about living in a different time zone, as we always have agents ready to attend to your calls whenever you contact us.
Not having health insurance abroad to cover your medical expenses can have lifelong—and possibly irreversible—consequences. Treasure your health, as you only have one chance to do so. Prioritize finding reliable international health insurance and have a preventive measure that will cover you in case unexpected health-related incidents happen.