Travel Health Insurance: Covered vs Not

Travelling offers exciting opportunities, but unexpected events can sometimes disrupt even the most well-planned trips. From medical emergencies to lost baggage, travel health insurance is a valuable tool to help manage the financial risks arising while away from home. 

Travel health insurance protects you from unforeseen medical costs during international or domestic travel, especially when medical expenses can be higher than expected. This detailed post discusses what is covered and what is not.

What is Travel Health Insurance?

Before getting into the specifics, it’s essential to understand what travel health insurance is. Travel health insurance covers travellers for unexpected medical expenses incurred during a trip. 

Whether travelling for leisure, business, or education, having this type of insurance can help you avoid hefty medical bills in a foreign country. It also covers other risks like trip cancellations, lost baggage, and flight delays. 

This insurance is critical when travelling to regions like Europe, where Schengen travel insurance is mandatory for all tourists applying for a Schengen visa. This requirement ensures travellers are covered for medical emergencies and hospitalisations.

What’s Covered by Travel Health Insurance?

Travel health insurance can be helpful in several key areas. Let’s examine some common coverage areas.

Medical Emergencies

One of the most critical aspects of travel health insurance is coverage for medical emergencies. If you fall ill or suffer an injury while travelling, this insurance can help cover medical treatments, hospital stays, and even surgeries. 

This feature is especially crucial when travelling to countries where healthcare can be expensive, such as the United States or certain parts of Europe. Schengen travel insurance also includes mandatory medical coverage, protecting you in Schengen countries.

Medical Evacuations

In severe cases where local hospitals may not be equipped to handle your condition, medical evacuation coverage helps transport you to a better-equipped facility. 

However, coverage often depends on the terms of the policy, so travellers should verify this with their insurer to ensure they are adequately covered. It also covers the cost of returning to your home country if you require ongoing medical care.

Trip Cancellations and Delays

Unforeseen events can force you to cancel or delay your trip. Travel health insurance can reimburse non-refundable expenses like flights and hotel bookings if you need to cancel due to illness, family emergencies, or other covered reasons. 

However, these aspects may fall outside standard travel health insurance and are often included in broader travel insurance policies. It also helps cover accommodation costs in the event of a significant delay.

Lost Baggage and Personal Belongings

Losing your luggage or personal items can take time and effort. Fortunately, most travel health insurance plans compensate for lost or stolen baggage, making it easier to recover essential items and continue your trip. 

Coverage may include the costs to replace passports, essential travel documents, and personal items like clothing.

What’s Not Covered by Travel Health Insurance?

Although travel health insurance covers a wide range of incidents, there are some exclusions to be aware of.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it may not be covered unless explicitly included in the policy. It’s important to understand that some travel health insurance policies may offer coverage for pre-existing conditions but typically under specific conditions or with additional premiums. 

Therefore, check with your insurance provider if you need additional coverage for conditions like diabetes or asthma.

High-risk Activities

If you plan to participate in activities like scuba diving, skiing, or mountaineering, these may be covered by something other than your basic travel health insurance plan. 

However, many insurance providers offer specific policies or endorsements for adventure sports. Therefore, travellers should seek appropriate coverage to participate in such activities.

Travel to Restricted Countries

Some insurance policies exclude coverage for travel to countries with high-risk factors like political unrest or epidemics. For example, if a government restricts travel to a particular destination, your insurance may not cover incidents that occur there.

Schengen Travel Insurance: A Requirement for European Travel

For anyone travelling to Schengen countries, obtaining Schengen travel insurance is mandatory. This type of insurance covers medical emergencies and hospitalisations with a minimum coverage of €30,000. 

It’s a vital requirement for securing a Schengen visa, and without it, you may not be granted entry into these European countries. Additionally, the policy must be valid for the entire duration of your trip, ensuring continuous coverage.

How to Choose the Right Travel Health Insurance?

When selecting a travel health insurance policy, there are a few key factors to consider:

• Coverage Limits: Ensure the policy offers adequate coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellations, and lost luggage.
• Destination-specific Needs: Check if additional coverage is needed for high-risk activities or specific countries.
• Duration of the Policy: Ensure the policy covers your entire trip, from departure to return.
• Policy Exclusions: Understand what’s not covered, such as pre-existing conditions or travel to restricted regions.

Conclusion

Travel health insurance can provide peace of mind whether you’re heading off for a relaxing holiday or a business trip. From medical emergencies to trip delays, it ensures that unexpected incidents don’t drain your savings. 

Remember to review your policy carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered and ensure it meets the requirements, especially for regions like Schengen, where Schengen travel insurance is mandatory. This way, you can focus on enjoying your trip without worrying about the unexpected.

*Standard T&C Apply

Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.

Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under the travel insurance policy.