When it comes to planning a trip, there are a lot of things to consider. One important aspect is insurance. But with so many different types of insurance available, it can be confusing to understand what you need. Two common types of insurance for travellers are medical travel & travel insurance In this blog post, we’ll break down the differences between medical travel & travel insurance.
Understanding the Two Types of Insurance
First, let’s define what we mean by medical insurance for travel and travel insurance. Medical insurance for travel is specifically designed to cover any medical expenses you may incur while traveling. Travel insurance, on the other hand, provides more comprehensive coverage, including things like trip cancellation, lost luggage, and emergency medical evacuation.
What is Medical Insurance for Travel?
Medical insurance for travel is a type of insurance that provides coverage for medical expenses incurred while traveling outside of your home country. This can include things like doctor visits, hospital stays, and emergency medical treatment. Medical insurance for travel can also cover emergency medical evacuation, which is the transportation of a patient to a medical facility for treatment.
What is Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is a type of insurance that provides coverage for a variety of travel-related issues, including trip cancellation, lost luggage, and emergency medical evacuation. In addition to medical expenses, travel insurance can cover things like trip interruption, travel delay, and emergency travel assistance.
Key Differences Between Medical Travel & Travel Insurance
While both medical insurance for travel and travel insurance provides coverage for unexpected events while traveling, there are some key differences between the two. Medical insurance for travel specifically covers medical expenses, whereas travel insurance covers a wider range of issues, including medical expenses. Travel insurance may also provide coverage for non-medical issues such as trip cancellation, lost luggage, and travel delay.
Another key difference is that medical insurance for travel typically has lower limits than travel insurance. This means that while medical insurance for travel may cover the cost of medical treatment up to a certain amount, it may not cover other travel-related expenses.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Insurance for Your Next Trip
So which type of insurance is right for your next trip? It depends on your individual needs and circ*mstances. If you’re traveling internationally and are concerned about medical expenses, medical insurance for travel may be a good option. If you’re looking for more comprehensive coverage, including non-medical issues like trip cancellation and lost luggage, travel insurance may be a better choice.
It’s important to carefully read the terms and conditions of any insurance policy you’re considering, and to make sure it provides the coverage you need. With the right insurance, you can travel with peace of mind knowing you’re protected in case of unexpected events.
If you want to take a look at Canadian travel insurance quotes, feel free to use our instant quoting tool!
FAQs
A comprehensive travel insurance policy will include more protections than stand-alone travel medical insurance. Travel medical insurance plans will have protections related to emergency medical events, while comprehensive trip insurance policies cover everything from medical care to trip cancellations.
What is the difference between travel insurance and medical travel insurance? ›
Medical insurance for travel is specifically designed to cover any medical expenses you may incur while traveling. Travel insurance, on the other hand, provides more comprehensive coverage, including things like trip cancellation, lost luggage, and emergency medical evacuation.
Is medical travel insurance worth it? ›
United Healthcare recommends travel medical insurance for all travelers, particularly: Families with children. Anyone visiting a country that speaks a different language. People with chronic conditions.
What are two disadvantages travel insurance? ›
Cost: Travel insurance will add to the overall cost of your trip. Some may choose to forgo it to save money, especially on shorter or less expensive trips. Exclusions and Limitations: Policies may have various exclusions and limitations, so it's essential to read the fine print.
How much medical travel insurance is enough? ›
How much travel medical insurance do you need? Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, recommends buying at least $50,000 in emergency medical coverage for international travel. For travelers going on a cruise or to a remote destination, the site recommends at least $100,000 in coverage.
What does medical travel insurance cover? ›
Travel medical insurance plans typically cover emergency medical and dental costs. Emergency transportation costs, such as ambulance or air lift, also are often covered, as are emergency evacuations that would get you from a remote location to appropriate medical care.
What are the two 2 basic types of travel insurance? ›
What type of travel insurance do I need? There are two main types of travel insurance: trip protection plans and travel medical plans.
What is the best medical travel insurance? ›
You can use a comparison site like TravelInsurance.com to explore different travel medical insurance plans and their cost.
- Allianz Travel Insurance: Best Overall.
- Seven Corners: Best for Families.
- GeoBlue: Best for Expats.
- WorldTrips: Best Cost.
Every plan is different, but the coverage amounts and benefits may vary. Determine how much you really need. For example, SquareMouth recommends international travelers get around $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $100,000 for cruises or travel to remote areas.
Do I need additional medical insurance when traveling abroad? ›
Make sure you have a plan to get care overseas, in case you need it. Consider buying additional insurance that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas.
Travel medical insurance is different from your health insurance because travel medical insurance is a supplemental policy that helps protect you while you're traveling. It's only valid for the length of your trip and is meant to supplement your health insurance when you're out of network.
What is the most common type of travel insurance? ›
Over 94% of travel insurance sales are Vacation Plans
Vacation plans include coverage for: Canceled trips. Interrupted trips. Medical emergencies.
What is an example of when travel insurance would not be necessary? ›
Buying travel insurance might not be necessary if you're traveling domestically or going on a refundable trip, or if you carry adequate coverage through a credit card.
Does travel insurance cover 100%? ›
If all conditions are met, most of the policies will reimburse you 50% to 75% of your trip costs, unless otherwise noted.
Does AARP offer international travel insurance? ›
While there are no travel insurance AARP products or discounts available for seniors, members can use the AARP website for trips and tricks on how to plan for international travel and information regarding how to choose the right insurance plan for older travelers.
What happens if you have a medical emergency abroad? ›
Special care if you become ill or injured while traveling
Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a list of local healthcare providers and medical facilities. If your illness is serious, consular officers can help you find medical assistance. If you want, they can inform your family and friends.
What are the main types of travel insurance? ›
Types of travel insurance: There are several types of categories of travel insurance including:
- Trip cancellation. ...
- Travel medical and major medical. ...
- Emergency medical evacuation. ...
- Accidental death and dismemberment. ...
- Baggage loss. ...
- Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policies.
Health insurance policies are designed to cover a broad range of medical expenses, including preventive care, doctor visits, and prescription drugs. On the other hand, medical insurance policies provide coverage for specific medical expenses related to a serious illness or injury.
Is it better to get single trip or annual travel insurance? ›
Is annual travel insurance cheaper than single trip cover? This will depend on how many trips you make per year. If you know you will only go on one or two holidays abroad in a 12-month period, a single trip policy will most likely be the best option.
Does medical insurance cover overseas? ›
U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover medical costs overseas. Private U.S. insurance policies also might not cover any or all expenses. Check with your insurance before traveling to see if it provides coverage overseas. More information is also available on the CDC insurance page.
