Travel insurance vs Travel Medical Insurance
February 23, 2024
The difference between travel insurance and travel medical insurance
It’s easy to confuse travel insurance with travel medical insurance, but they are actually two different things. Most travelers are aware of travel insurance, although many believe it is something you would only buy if you were nervous about your trip being cancelled or your luggage going astray. But travel medical insurance or travel protection is something else entirely. It is a combination of travel medical insurance and assistance services such as the SafeTrip International Travel Medical Plus plans from UnitedHealthcare Global. Understanding the travel insurance vs travel medical insurance distinction can help you decide the type of coverage you need before you travel outside of the U.S. or your home country.
A quick definition
Travel medical insurance is designed for individuals traveling internationally, providing emergency medical coverage while outside their home country. A travel medical policy primarily focuses on emergency medical, medical evacuation and dental emergencies.
Travel insurance, on the other hand, primarily covers trip-related negatives, such as trip cancellation, trip interruption or lost baggage.
Why you should consider travel medical insurance
Many domestic health insurance plans do not cover emergency medical expenses incurred outside of one's home country, like the U.S. Even for those that do, the coverage is often limited and requires you to pay at the time of service, save receipts, and then file for reimbursement once you get home and may only cover limited expenses. In case of a medical or a dental emergency while in another country, this could mean maxing out your credit cards while you are still traveling. So, it is often easier to buy a travel protection plan, even though it might work as a secondary coverage only.
Travel medical insurance plans typically cover emergency medical and dental costs upfront. Emergency transportation costs, such as ambulance or air lift, may also be covered, as are emergency evacuations that would get you from a remote location to appropriate medical care.
Furthermore, travel medical insurance providers often provide access to medical providers around the world and can help you find quality care in other countries more easily. Insurance has you covered if an accident or illness threaten to derail your trip.
What does travel medical insurance cover?
Travel medical insurance can offer a broad array of useful benefits. For example, with SafeTrip Travel Insurance from UnitedHealthcare Global, the following elements are standard with every International Travel Medical or International Travel Medical Plus policy:
- 24/7 help from trained experts in finding local medical or dental care in another country
- Translation help in cases where language is a barrier
- No out-of-pocket payments of medical and dental expenses
- Coordination of and payment for emergency medical evacuation
- Monitoring of your treatment
- Replacement of lost or broken corrective lenses and medical devices
- Cover costs related to baggage loss and delay
- Non-insurance travel assistance, such as help in replacing lost travel documents, emergency travel arrangements, and legal referrals
If you are planning the dream vacation or just want to protect your expenses, you can add coverage for trip cancellation and interruption as well as other travel insurance benefits such as the extreme sports coverage for those once-in-a-lifetime adventures for an extra fee.
How costs differ between travel medical insurance and travel insurance
Travel medical insurance can be reasonably priced. The plan costs are calculated based on your age, how long you’ll be out of the country, and the coverage amount you select. In many cases, the cost is just a few dollars a day per traveler, with the total cost for the entire trip roughly the equivalent to a nice restaurant meal for two.
Travel insurance, on the other hand, generally costs a little more. If trip cancellation is included, a travel insurance policy’s price is based on the overall cost of your trip. So, if you plan to be gone for a few weeks and are staying in a hotel somewhere, your policy cost will be calculated based on the costs of those items. However, adding travel insurance on top of your medical coverage will still only add a small percentage to your overall trip cost while protecting you and your travel companions from unexpected travel interruptions.
Plus, it will add to your confidence knowing that you are covered if you have to cancel your trip unexpectedly due to injury, illness or some bad weather gets in the way. Travel insurance may also allow for some extras which travel medical insurance would not, such as adding coverage for a rental car or sports equipment. With SafeTrip travel protection plans, for example, you can get a combination of both, travel insurance and travel medical benefits for a small percentage of your overall trip cost.
Who should think about buying travel medical insurance and travel insurance?
Most travelers can benefit from the extra protection of travel medical insurance and travel protection. Those that may benefit the most include:
Families with children. Kids get sick and are less likely to be diligent about hand-washing and other basics that can keep germs at bay. Choose travel medical coverage in case a quick trip to a doctor is needed to get your trip back on track. Adding travel protection benefits for the extra measure can be helpful to get reimbursed for prepaid travel expenses in case of a last-minute change.
Solo travelers. Whether you're embarking on a business trip or a leisurely adventure, having travel insurance becomes crucial. It provides coverage for unexpected itinerary changes, ensuring you're protected throughout your journey. Additionally, with a travel medical emergency response team by your side, you can rely on their support and guidance, serving as a comforting voice from home during challenging situations you may encounter.
Travelers venturing to remote locations. These off-the-beaten-path destinations can be breeding grounds for foodborne or insect-borne diseases, and access to reliable medical care may be uncertain. In such situations, having travel medical coverage becomes essential as it can assist you in finding local quality health care facilities or even facilitate your transfer to a place where more appropriate medical care is readily available. Trip protection, on the other hand, offers an additional layer of confidence by providing coverage for unexpected itinerary changes or the added option for rental car damage. This ensures that you can explore freely, regardless of how far away you are from the nearest civilization.
Anyone visiting a country that speaks a different language. Finding medical care in a foreign place can be difficult enough, but a language barrier can make it seem impossible. Similar issues apply to unexpected itinerary changes or changes to the foreign country’s security or political situation. Knowing you can get help fast from an English speaker makes a difference.
People with chronic conditions. If you’re traveling with diabetes, asthma or any other medical condition that could bring on an episode requiring care, a travel medical policy is an extra layer of protection.
For a look at how a SafeTrip plan could cover you on your next international trip. Fill out the easy, no-commitment form, choose your coverage level, tailor your benefits, and get a free quote for your next trip.
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Planning a trip but don't know which travel plan to pick? Why don't try the SafeTrip International Travel Medical Plus plan that combines travel medical insurance with travel insurance benefits?