Travel insurance refers to a wide range of coverage that applies when people are traveling. Airlines and travel brokerages typically offer trip cancellation insurance at the time of booking; this type of coverage will ensure that you don’t lose the money you paid for your tickets if you’re unable to go on your trip due to illness or other covered reasons.
But medical situations that arise during your trip can end up being much more expensive and problematic than a missed flight.
If you’re traveling within the United States, your U.S.-based health insurance plan will cover emergency care, even outside your plan’s network. But if you’re traveling outside the U.S., it’s essential to consider travel medical insurance to cover the cost of medical care while you’re overseas, and medical evacuation if necessary.
Original Medicare virtually never covers medical care outside the U.S. (even in emergency situations), and private health insurance may or may not cover care received outside the U.S. — it depends on the policy.
Travel medical plans can be purchased for short trips as well as long-term travel lasting a year or more. There are travel medical policies designed for expats, students spending a semester abroad, and families taking a two-week trip of a lifetime. A travel medical policy will provide peace of mind during your trip, regardless of the type of coverage you have in the U.S.
