Why Medical Travel Insurance Matters
Most home health insurance policies provide limited or no coverage outside the United States. For example, Medicare hardly pays for medical treatment overseas. Unexpected medical events while abroad might cause significant financial strain, including costly hospital stays, emergency transportation, and even repatriation of remains. Reducing these risks calls for medical travel insurance.
Travel Medical Insurance vs. Comprehensive Travel Insurance
While complete travel insurance offers further advantages, including trip cancellation or interruption, baggage loss or delay, and rental car damage, travel medical insurance concentrates on medical issues during a trip. Generally speaking, travel medical insurance is less costly. According to a NerdWallet study, medical travel insurance accounted for around 7% of all trip expenses.
What Medical Travel Insurance Covers
Typical coverage of medical travel insurance is:
Hospital stays, doctor appointments, surgery—emergency medical expenses.
Emergency dental expenses (accidental damage, pain relief)
Medical evacuation (transport to a suitable medical facility or back home)
Repatriation of relics
24/7 emergency help services
Key Policy Types and Features
Primary Coverage: Pays out directly, regardless of other insurance.
Secondary Coverage: Pays out after your primary insurance.
Single-Trip Coverage: Covers a single trip from departure to return.
Multi-Trip Coverage: Covers multiple trips within a specified period, typically a year.
Exclusions and Limitations: Policies vary regarding covered reasons, destinations, and activities. Pre-existing conditions may require a waiver. Check for exclusions for adventure sports, high-risk destinations, and pregnancy-related issues.
Best Credit Cards for Medical Travel Coverage
Travel protections available from the Chase Sapphire Reserve® include:
Transportation and an emergency evacuation worth up to $100,000
Emergency dental and medical: Up to $2,500, with a $50 deductible
Standard carrier Travel accident insurance: Up to $1,000,000
Travel accident insurance (24-hour): Up to $100,000
From American Express, the Platinum Card® presents:
Up to $2,000 for checked bags, $3,000 total—checked and carry-on—baggage insurance.
Global emergency help hotline access; cardholder accountability for costs of services.
Secondary car rental insurance
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card carries the following:
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance: Up to $1,000,000
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers:
Common carrier: Travel accident insurance, up to $500,000
Travel accident insurance, 24-hour: up to $100,000
The United Club℠ Infinite Card presents:
Insurance for trip cancellation or interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip
Three days' worth of baggage delay insurance runs up to $100 daily.
Coverage for leading rental cars
Should You Get Standalone Travel Medical Insurance?
Credit card travel insurance is often secondary coverage and may have restricted coverage. Standalone travel medical insurance can augment your credit card advantages by providing more significant limits, primary coverage, and more genestandalonee for pre-existing diseases, specific destinations, or activities. Squaremouth estimates that consumers will pay an average of $96 on standalone medical travel insurance in 2023.
Using Your Travel Medical Insurance
During a medical emergency:
Call your insurer's emergency assistance line.
See medical professionals as directed here.
Save all receipts and pay for expenses upfront.
On your return, file a claim for a refund.
Long-Term Travel Medical Insurance for Expats
Policies covering regular and emergency medical costs overseas are available to expats and long-term visitors. These are not like usual travel medical insurance meant for quick excursions. Usually, these schemes have restrictions between $1,000,000 and $8,000,000.
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Emergency Evacuation & Transportation | Emergency Medical & Dental | Travel Accident Insurance (Common Carrier) | Travel Accident Insurance (24-Hour) | Trip Cancellation/Interruption | Baggage Delay | Lost Luggage | Other Travel Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $550 | Up to $100,000 | Up to $2,500 ($50 deductible) | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $100,000 | Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip | Up to $100/day for 5 days | Up to $3,000 per person | Primary car rental CDW, trip delay reimbursement, roadside assistance, travel and emergency assistance |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | $95 | Up to $100,000 | Not Covered | Up to $500,000 | Up to $100,000 | Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip | Up to $100/day for 5 days | Up to $3,000 per person | Primary car rental CDW, trip delay reimbursement |
| Platinum Card® from American Express | $695 | Included with Premium Global Assist Hotline (costs may apply) | Up to $250,000 (Medical) / Up to $1,000 (Dental) | Up to $500,000 | Not Covered | Up to $10,000 per trip | Up to $100/day for 3 days | Up to $3,000 per passenger | Airport lounge access, hotel elite status, premium Global Assist Hotline |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | $395 | Not Covered | Not Covered | Up to $1,000,000 | Not Covered | Up to $2,000 per insured traveler | Up to $100/day for 3 days | Up to $3,000 per trip | Trip delay insurance |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | $95 | Up to $100,000 | Not Covered | Up to $500,000 | $100,000 | Up to $5,000 per trip | Up to $100/day for 5 days | Up to $3,000 per person | Primary car rental CDW, trip delay reimbursement |
| United Club℠ Infinite Card | $525 | Up to $100,000 | Not Covered | Up to $500,000 | Not Covered | Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip | Up to $100/day for 3 days | Up to $3,000 per passenger | United Club membership, free checked bags, priority boarding, primary auto rental CDW, trip delay reimbursement |
