When purchasing international health insurance or travel medical insurance, you may notice a benefit referred to as Incidental Home Country Coverage or Incidental Trips to Home Country. Global medical insurance is designed to cover you outside of your home country (depending on the area of cover you choose).
Still, the added benefit of incidental home country coverage will give you some coverage for emergency medical treatment if you sustain an injury or get sick while on a brief and unplanned trip back home. The Incidental Home Country benefit varies by plan.
Find Coverage That Fits Your Plans
Whether you are traveling for a short stay or living abroad long-term, the right insurance helps protect your health and gives you access to care when you need it overseas.
Home Country Coverage in a Travel Plan
Some plans offer a maximum of 14 consecutive days per policy period, while others, such as the Seven Corners Travel Medical plan, provide five days of coverage for every 30 days purchased, up to a maximum of 60 days. Additionally, the benefit levels may be slightly reduced for incidental trips home, but will then revert to their previous levels when you resume your trip abroad.
Incidental Home Country Coverage
Individuals who have been abroad for either business or pleasure are aware that the need to return home for brief periods during their coverage period can occur without warning.
There is always the possibility of a work-related emergency back home occurring or an unexpected personal event affecting a friend or family member, such as a pregnancy, funeral, or wedding, that you do not want to miss due to your travels.
If you will be traveling abroad and are shopping for international travel medical insurance that also covers you back home if you need to return for a short period during your journey, one popular plan option is the Atlas Travel Insurance plan.
The Atlas Travel Insurance plan includes an incidental home country coverage benefit that provides 15 days of home country coverage for every three months of overseas coverage purchased.
Although this benefit can’t be used for trips home explicitly taken to receive care, it will provide the covered individual with protection for any eligible illness or injury that may occur while on their journey home.
The 15 days of incidental home country coverage can be used within the three-month period in which the days are earned.
The Atlas Travel Insurance plan can be purchased for a minimum of 5 days, up to 364 days, with the option to extend coverage.
Other benefits included in the Atlas Travel plan include emergency medical evacuation, hospitalization, emergency dental, emergency reunion, acute onset of a pre-existing condition, hazardous sports coverage, accidental death and dismemberment, natural disaster benefit, and repatriation of remains, lost checked luggage, and outpatient coverage.
If you would like to purchase international travel insurance that includes coverage for your home country, generate a free Atlas Travel quote and apply online today!
Home Country Coverage with International Health Plans
International health insurance plans will cover you within the select area of coverage you choose at the time of purchase.
Depending on where you are from and where you will be living, your home country may not be included in that area of coverage.
Many plans offer emergency coverage for specific amounts of time when visiting home for leisure, business, or pleasure.
When purchasing an international health insurance plan, assess your need for home country coverage and ensure you have the necessary coverage in the areas you require.
End of Trip Home Country Coverage
A different type of benefit you might be interested in is End of Trip Home Country Coverage, which is ideal for the end of a long trip abroad.
This is important because some travelers may no longer have coverage under their domestic insurance plan and may not be able to re-enroll for a month or more.
A continuation of the international health insurance plan in your home country will allow you to receive medical treatment if you sustain an injury or become sick after returning home.
The length of coverage available depends on the number of months of international coverage purchased. Typically, you will have had to buy a minimum of five months of international travel insurance to be eligible for one month of Home Country Coverage.
Travelers planning to stay abroad for an extended period, whether for business or as students studying abroad, should consider a travel plan with these benefits.
Long-term travelers should consider this home country coverage because the possibility of sick relatives, weddings, or urgent business back home could require a trip back home on short notice.
Students studying abroad should consider home coverage in case of school breaks or an urgent matter that may require them to return home.
Some insurers reduce the covered expenses for Home Country Coverage. Be sure to read your policy thoroughly or ask one of our Brokers for clarification.
International Citizens Insurance offers several travel medical plans with benefits tailored to your specific needs. Here is a list of benefits for each travel medical plan:
International Medical Group (IMG)
| Incidental Home Country Coverage | End of Trip Home Country Coverage |
The insured person's country of residence is not the U.S. | 14 consecutive days maximum limit | One month for every five months purchased for travel outside of the home country; 2-month maximum limit |
| Up to a cumulative two weeks | One month for every four months of travel coverage; up to a maximum of three months (Individual plan only) |
WorldTrips Atlas Travel
| Incidental Home Country Coverage | End of Trip Home Country Coverage |
| 15 days of incidental coverage for every three months of coverage bought; Must use the time earned after every three months | |
| 30 days of incidental coverage for every three months of coverage bought; Must use the time earned after every three months | |
Seven Corners Travel
| Incidential Home Country Coverage | End of Trip Home Country Coverage |
| You will receive five days of coverage per month of coverage purchased, up to a maximum of 60 days per 12 months of purchased coverage. | |
Find Coverage That Fits Your Plans
Whether you are traveling for a short stay or living abroad long-term, the right insurance helps protect your health and gives you access to care when you need it overseas.
Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in international health, life, and travel insurance. An MBA and founder of multiple global businesses, he helps expatriates and travelers access trusted, comprehensive insurance solutions worldwide.
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