Your primary health insurance doesn't have a passport. Since most U.S. healthcare plans don't offer coverage overseas, experiencing a medical emergency during your trip could result in thousands of dollars worth of out-of-pocket expenses.
For peace of mind and financial protection, you can purchase a medical travel insurance policy that includes essential medical coverage for your upcoming international vacation.
International health insurance doesn't have to be expensive. Compare policies from 20+ reputable insurance providers to find the one that fits your budget and coverage needs.
Seeking medical treatment in a foreign country can be intimidating to say the least. Luckily, every travel insurance provider found on Squaremouth offers 24-hour assistance services to help refer you to local care facilities, arrange an evacuation, and navigate the claims process.
Squaremouth ranks the three best companies for travel medical insurance based on policies sold:
View a full breakdown of the top travel medical insurance providers.
Get our top tips and recommendations based on the most frequently asked questions from past travelers.
Most U.S. health insurance plans, like Medicare or an employer-sponsored plan, don’t offer coverage abroad. To ensure they’re covered throughout their trip, many U.S. citizens purchase trip protection that includes strong medical coverage.
Yes! Almost all travel insurance policies on Squaremouth, including multi-trip plans, offer medical benefits that provide coverage for overseas medical care and evacuations.
The ideal coverage limits will depend heavily on your trip’s itinerary, your destination, and the length of time you’ll be away. The best travel insurance policies will offer at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage, and at least $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage.
You will likely want to increase those coverage limits even further if your trip involves dangerous activities, remote destinations, or a cruise.
The average policy for an international travel medical insurance policy will typically range from $75-$125. Factors that travel insurance providers will take into consideration when calculating your premium include the ages of travelers on your plan, your trip’s length, the amount of coverage a plan offers, and the type of coverage you choose.
Most travelers opt for single-trip comprehensive travel insurance plans. These plans are higher in price, but offer additional benefits including Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage. These plans cost roughly 5-10% of your total trip costs. Among Squaremouth customers, the average cost of a comprehensive plan is approximately $400.
Yes, travel medical insurance coverage is almost always worth the expense. For a relatively small fee, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re covered if you experience an unexpected health crisis while traveling. Comparing trip insurance options from different sources is the best way to find a policy that fits your coverage needs and your budget.
The majority of travel insurance plans exclude pre-existing conditions from their coverage. However, some travel insurance companies offer plans that include a Pre-Existing Condition waiver, which essentially waives any pre-existing condition exclusions and extends medical benefits to the policyholder.
Since Pre-Existing Condition coverage is a time-sensitive travel insurance benefit, you will need to purchase your policy at least 10-14 days after making your initial trip payment. Your provider may request medical documents regarding the recent history of your condition before the coverage begins.
While not all travel medical insurance plans have deductibles, they’re not uncommon. Travel insurance deductibles are often low, ranging from $50-$250. Deductibles can be charged per policy, per person, per occurrence, or as a combination of the three.