For many U.S. travelers flying internationally, insurance has become essential. With the growing interest in travel insurance, many American travelers are left to wonder how exactly to use travel insurance when you travel outside the U.S. Let’s take a look.
Should I Get Trip Insurance or Travel Health Insurance?
The first thing you need to decide is whether or not you need trip insurance or travel health insurance. The kind of insurance that you should get depends on what kind of traveler you are and what you wish to protect while traveling. Here are some key benefits for both trip and travel medical insurance, and how each one can protect you while traveling internationally.
Trip Insurance
Trip insurance protects your overall trip investment in case of a mishap while traveling. Whether you need to cancel your trip or you experience a baggage delay abroad, trip insurance can protect your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses related to your trip.
For example, if your baggage is delayed during an international trip, trip insurance can protect you in this case by covering any essential items that you need to purchase while waiting for your baggage. Essential items can be extra clothing, personal care products, and other essentials, such as an extra phone charger.
Also, with trip insurance, you can get the best of both worlds. It can provide trip-related coverage, but it may also offer an Accident and Sickness benefit, which may cover emergency medical care up to a specified dollar amount.
Travel Health Insurance
Travel health insurance, also known as travel medical insurance, protects you in case of a sudden injury or sickness while abroad. Especially since your domestic health care may not cover you abroad, this may be essential for many U.S. travelers.
For example, let’s say during your trip to Spain, you get a sudden ear infection. In this scenario, travel health insurance ensures that you get medical treatment abroad and receive coverage for your medical expenses. Additionally, many travel insurance policies have a 24/7 assistance hotline in case you need translation services while seeking medical care abroad.
If you’re staying abroad longer, are elderly, have a pre-existing health condition or may be more likely to require medical care, then travel medical insurance might be the way to go.
How to Use Your Travel Insurance In Medical Emergency Situations
Once you purchase travel insurance, you should be able to print out or get a digitized version of your Policy ID card. You’ll want to carry this with you wherever you travel.
For medical emergencies, seek help immediately, and then contact your insurance company when possible. If your policy has a 24/7 assistance service, you can call this number to find the most suitable physician or medical facility, communicate with medical care providers, and can help you with what documentation you will need to file a claim.
Depending on the severity of the medical treatment, your insurance may provide direct billing, or you might have to pay for your own medical expenses and then seek reimbursement. As always, you should contact your insurance carrier about your situation, and keep all receipt of payments for when a claim is filed so you can get your reimbursement efficiently.
How to Use Your Travel Insurance in Trip-Related Situations
With a trip insurance plan, you are protected from unexpected trip disruptions, such as flight cancellations, missed connections, or missing luggage. While incidents like these don’t typically require urgent assistance from your travel insurance, these unexpected scenarios can cause a financial burden to your trip investment.
If you experience a snag in your travel plans, you should make sure that you have supporting documentation to make sure that your claims process goes smoothly. Depending on the situation, documentation can include proof of a delay or cancellation from the airline, baggage delay confirmation from the airline, and receipts for extra expenses that you had to incur. The 24/7 assistance hotline on your Policy ID can also confirm that you have the right documentation for your claim.
In most cases, a claim related to your trip is often a reimbursement process. If your claim is successful, you should expect reimbursement up to the covered limit listed on your policy. Trip insurance acts as a financial safety net, making sure your trip is financially covered.
How Can I Get Help During the Claims Process?
When you buy insurance through VisitorsCoverage, you’ll find all the information you need like plan information, benefits, and claim details by logging into the customer portal.
International travel can be an amazing experience, but nothing is more important than your safety or that of your loved ones. Travel insurance is one of the best steps you can take towards travel safety.
If you need assistance during the claims process, no worries, our Claims Assist Specialists can help guide you through every step of the process to make sure your claim is successful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does travel insurance cover doctor visits for minor illnesses?
Yes, your travel insurance can cover urgent care and doctor visits if you experience a minor illness while abroad. Oftentimes, the claims process for minor illnesses abroad is through reimbursement, so make sure you get a note from the doctor with your diagnosis and any other supporting information for your claim.
Do I need to contact my travel insurance company before seeking medical care?
It is not required to contact your travel insurance company before seeking medical care. Especially if you get into a major medical emergency, you simply might not even think about contacting your travel insurance company. It is important you get your medical care first, and then contact your travel insurance company. However, if you need help with finding medical treatment, your insurance provider can absolutely help you.
Does travel insurance cover extra hotel and meal costs after a flight delay?
Yes, if you experience a flight delay and your airline won’t cover your stay overnight, trip insurance can step in and reimburse you for your extra meals and hotel nights due to a flight delay. Additionally, if you miss out on any prepaid, nonrefundable expenses, you can also get reimbursed for the unused portion of your trip.
How long does a flight delay have to be before coverage applies?
It ultimately depends on your travel insurance policy, but most policies define a significant flight delay as exceeding 6 hours. It is best to check how your policy defines a flight delay and when your insurance kicks in.
Is a lost luggage claim handled differently from delayed baggage?
Yes. A lost luggage claim is usually reimbursement for up to a certain amount of value for the contents in your luggage. To file a lost luggage claim, you will typically need a police report to effectively support your claim.
What does travel insurance typically not cover?
In most cases, travel insurance typically does not cover the following:
- Preventative or routine care
- Elective treatments, such as voluntary lab work or second opinions
- Dental and Vision, unless it is an emergency
- Pregnancy
- Injuries related to high-risk activities, unless you have the adventure sports coverage add-on
Can I file a travel insurance claim while traveling?
Yes, you can file a travel insurance claim while traveling, and the sooner you file a claim, the better the chance your claim becomes successful. Oftentimes, most claims need to be filed within 60-90 days after the incident, but it is better to let your insurance provider know sooner rather than later.
How long does it take to get reimbursed by travel insurance?
The duration of the claims process can vary from case to case, typically spanning from a few weeks to a couple of months. You can check the status of your claim by logging into your VisitorsCoverage portal or by contacting our Claims Assist Team.
