When traveling, it can be difficult to know exactly what kind of travel insurance policy you need in order to protect yourself and your loved ones. Most insurance plans can be separated into two broad groups: trip insurance and travel medical insurance.
These two types of travel insurance policies differ in coverage, so it's helpful to understand the differences between the two types to choose a plan that is right for you.
Let's take a look at these two categories more closely to help you find the perfect plan for your travel needs.
What's the Difference Between Travel Medical Insurance and Trip Insurance?
Travel medical insurance (also known as just travel insurance or visitors insurance) is designed to protect people from unforeseen illnesses and injuries that may occur while traveling abroad. A travel medical insurance policy will cover eligible treatment and services as stated in the policy documents. This is especially useful for people traveling internationally. Travel medical policies include benefits for medical expenses such as doctor or hospital visits, medical evacuation and repatriation.
Trip insurance can cover the financial investment of an international or domestic trip. If you are forced to cancel a trip, miss a flight connection or are otherwise unable to continue with your plans, trip insurance can reimburse you for a percentage of prepaid trip costs up to the limits of your policy.
Does Trip Insurance Cover Medical Expenses?
While trip insurance is primarily designed to cover eligible nonrefundable trip-related costs due to covered reasons such as trip delay or interruption, these plans also offer coverage for emergency medical expenses in the form of an Accident and Sickness benefit.
Trip insurance medical coverage can cover emergency medical events for new injuries or illnesses that occur during one’s travels that require necessary attention.
While trip insurance does cover emergency medical expenses, those looking just for medical coverage for abroad or more flexibility when choosing medical coverage may opt for travel medical insurance over trip insurance.
Trip Insurance vs Travel Medical Insurance Compared
Below is a comparison table that can help you understand the major differences between travel medical and trip insurance, compare benefits and decide which plan type is right for you.
| Travel Plans | Type of Coverage |
|---|---|
| International travel where you want to have coverage for medical emergencies and related expenses. Recommended when traveling abroad by yourself, with family or on a business trip. | Travel Medical Insurance |
| Domestic and/or international travel from or to the U.S. where you want to protect your financial investment should you be unable to continue your trip as planned. Recommended for all planned trips with prepaid expenses where you are 90 miles (~145 kilometers) or more away from home. | Trip Insurance |
Benefits of Trip Insurance and Travel Medical Insurance
Trip insurance benefits as well as travel insurance benefits vary depending on the specific plan or policy you choose.
| Benefit | Standard Trip Insurance Policy | Standard Travel Medical Insurance Policy |
|---|---|---|
|
Limited coverage for emergency medical expenses |
Covers costs associated with new injuries and illnesses | |
| Emergency Evacuation | ||
| Trip Interruption | ||
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | ||
24-Hour Assistance | ||
| Trip Cancellation | Not Applicable | |
| Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) |
Included in some plans, option to add on this coverage for other plans | Not Applicable |
| Trip Delay | Not Applicable | |
Missed Connection | Not Applicable | |
| Rental Car Damage | Not Applicable | |
| Repatriation | ||
Travel Assistance Services | ||
Legal Assistance | ||
Emergency Reunion | ||
|
May be available as a pre-existing condition waiver under certain policies |
May be available under certain policies either as pre-existing condition coverage or coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions |
Please note, these are typical benefits of travel insurance plans. Benefits and coverage will vary from plan to plan, and other benefits may be available at an additional cost for some plans.
Who Is Trip Insurance Best Suited For?
Trip insurance is typically best suited for U.S. residents traveling domestically or internationally who want to protect their prepaid nonrefundable trip costs such as flight, hotel, and events in the event of an unexpected cancellation, interruption, or delay.
Who Is Travel Medical Insurance Best Suited For?
Travel medical insurance plans are typically best suited for individuals traveling outside of their home country who are looking for emergency medical coverage while abroad.
Travel medical insurance is often the recommended choice for individuals traveling to the United States to protect against costly medical prices in the event of an emergency illness or injury.
How Do I Choose My Insurance Plan?
There are multiple insurance companies which each have different plan options. Each plan has a different price and coverage rating.
Picking the right plan can be a difficult choice. We recommend that you compare plans to find the best policy for your needs.
VisitorsCoverage Can Help!
We know insurance terms can be confusing. This doesn't make it easy to find the best travel medical insurance or trip insurance for your needs.
That's what our Customer Success Team is there for. If you need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out or see our Ask the Experts section for answers to frequently asked questions.
