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Exactly what does travel medical insurance cover?
When we plan our vacations, sooner or later (most likely sooner) you will hear the words "travel medical insurance". For many travelers, the idea of buying insurance just adds a cost which they gladly skip. However, there are plenty travelers who prefer to be safe and invest in such an insurance. Only that, sometimes, they realize that the insurance doesn't cover them in certain cases, or even worse, they cannot get any insurance.
So, what exactly does travel medical insurance cover? The answer is just as complex as the question.
Generally speaking, travel medical insurance is one of the most complex forms of travel insurance out there. In many cases, such a policy covers the holder for medical expenses, emergency evacuation, accidental death and hazardous activities. But not all policies cover the holder if they had any (undeclared) pre-existing conditions.
Emergency evacuation
If your policy covers emergency evacuation, it means that the insurance company pays the cost of air ambulance and medical staff in the event of a sever trauma or if you become ill and they cannot take you back home via normal commercial aviation. However, the amount covered depends on the company. Some companies do cover 100% of the cost (International Health Insurance Denmark a/s, available to citizens of all nationalities).
Pre-existing medical conditions
When buying travel medical insurance you MUST declare any treatment you are currently under and any treatment you have received within the prior 12 months. Even if you declare them you need to wait for the company to confirm in writing that they offer coverage. Many companies exclude the pre-existing medical conditions from the policies.
Medical expenses
This is the main purpose of the travel medical insurance: to cover for the medical expenses abroad, in case you fall in. Some companies offer 100% coverage, while other only over a certain amount of money. So make sure to check the fine print and know exactly what's covered.
In case your doctor advised you not to travel because of a condition or treatment and you still travel, if you fall ill, the pre-existing problem will invalidate your policy and the company won't pay the costs. But if you bought the policy before you got the advice from your doctor, you can get the money back by using the trip cancellation coverage (if the policy covers it)
Repatriation of Remains
In the unfortunate event of the policy holder's death, the insurance company covers the cost needed to get the body back home. Just like in the case of other expenses, the amount covered depends on the company.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD & D)
In case something goes terribly wrong and the policy holder dies, loses a limb or the eyesight during an event abroad, the company pays the holder or the beneficiary a lump sum of money. Terrorists acts are covered but not if weapons of mass destructions were used.
If the travel medical insurance does not include this option, you can buy it as stand-alone travel insurance.
Emergency Reunion
If you fall ill or suffer a trauma and you need someone (friend or relative) to escort you back home in the place of a doctor, the travel medical insurance covers the cost. The cost limitations depend on your country of residence and other circumstances. In most cases the company will pay the expenses (transportation and accommodation) for maximum 15 days. However, some policies only cover the transportation of the friend/relative.
Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption
Most travel medical insurance policies offer coverage for both trip cancellation and trip interruption. If, for any reason, you cannot fulfill your vacation plans, you can ask for your money back (that part which is not reimbursed by the hotel, flight carrier, etc). In case you need to cut your vacation short because of an unexpected event, you are also entitled to get some money back. Such an unexpected event most often (if not always) only means the death of your immediate family member.
Sports & Hazardous Activities
If your vacation plans include a little bit of snorkeling, hiking or horseback riding make sure to have this option included in your travel medical insurance. Many companies cover for a variety of "hazardous" activities but generally speaking motorsports are always excluded.
And by the way: if you plan to hike an active volcano chances are your policy won't cover such an activity.
Terrorism
The policy conditions depend on your country of residence but many policies cover the holder in case something happens to you in case of terrorism acts.
Be careful to read the terms as you might need to schedule your trip to/from the city within a maximum of 30 days from the date of the event in order to be able to use your policy.
Comprehensive travel medical insurance
Typically this is a form of travel medical insurance NOT included in a normal policy. This best suits those who travel for extended period of times and/or a self employed in the country they reside. Most often, it costs less than buying traditional medical insurance at home (but it does not cover you in your home country).
