While many travelers know travel insurance covers things like lost baggage and missed flights, few realize that it can bridge important healthcare gaps when traveling abroad.
“Many travelers likely don’t think about the unexpected that could happen while abroad – like an illness resulting in a hospital trip or an emergency that calls for a medical evacuation,” says Beth Godlin, president of the Aon Affinity Travel Practice. “Travel insurance can really be a hero in these emergency situations because it picks up where traditional healthcare coverage leaves off.”
No one expects to get sick or have an accident, especially during a dream vacation, but it happens. It could be a minor issue that’s resolved with a visit to the cruise ship doctor, or it could be more severe and require medical attention – or even an emergency evacuation. For these reasons, travelers – particularly those heading abroad or to a remote location – need to understand if their current medical insurance plan would cover any care required during their trip. Since most plans don’t cover outside the U.S., it is important for travelers to consider purchasing supplementary coverage.
Medical benefits are often included in travel protection plans, especially those customized by the supplier based on their destinations and passenger demographic. For example, a leading cruise line that sails internationally or a major online travel agency will likely have a customized plan for the type of journey booked. And these benefits can be invaluable. For example, if you break a leg while backpacking in Machu Picchu and need a medical evacuation, remote locations can often exceed $100,000.
The bottom line? Before you head out on an international adventure, understand what your healthcare provider will and will not cover outside of U.S. borders, then find travel protection to complement it based on your destination and experience. A little planning will provide some peace of mind in the long run.