Unfortunately, most domestic health insurance policies dont provide coverage outside your home country. In general, domestic plans limit their coverage to specific geographic areas. If a U.S. resident with a domestic health insurance policy crosses the border into Canada, their U.S. health insurance will not offer them the financial and medical protections. This is where travel insurance makes all the difference.
Why Buy Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance may be required. Buying travel insurance is more important than ever as we grapple with the realities of travel in the era of COVID-19. Many countries require travel insurance. If you want to go to Aruba or Costa Rica, for instance, you’ll need insurance that meets country-specific requirements.
Covid coverage. Most travel insurance companies offer coverage for Covid and related medical treatment if the virus is contracted within the active policy dates.
Emergency Medical Evacuation. Emergency evacuation is one of the most important benefits travel medical insurance provides; this is a must-have coverage when you travel outside your home country. An emergency medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Lets say youre on a cruise in the Bahamas and you have a stroke. The onboard medical facility may not be adequate to treat your condition, which means youd have to be airlifted off the ship to the nearest hospital. If you didnt have travel insurance youd be paying those costs out of your own pocket.
How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?
Fortunately, travel insurance is very affordable. While policy prices vary depending on a number of variables like age of the insured and trip duration, the average cost of travel insurance ranges between $200 to $300. That’s not so much when you consider that a medical visit abroad could run you tens of thousands of dollars.
