Travel Insurance for overseas emergency medical costs (2024)

• Why should I consider travel insurance for medical emergencies?
• What overseas medical expenses may be covered by travel insurance?
• Am I covered for Coronavirus related medical costs while overseas?
• Worldwide 24/7 assistance for many types of emergencies
• What's not covered?
• What else do I need to know about travel insurance for emergency medical?

We’ve seen some pretty hairy accidents and illnesses, from aneurysms to scooter crashes, and at least one shark bite! When the unexpected happens, our24/7 Emergency Assistance Teamwill support you and your family, so you can focus on getting better.

Why should I consider travel insurance for medical emergencies?

One of the key reasons many travelers take out travel insurance is to make sure they are covered for an unexpected injury or illness while on vacation. Food poisoning, COVID and trips and falls happen more than you might imagine. Sometimes you might just need advice on where to find a local doctor to get some medicine. But a serious illness or injury may require hospitalization, surgery or other medical treatment. In many cases, if you get sick or injured, a hospital may not treat you without upfront payment or providing proof of a travel insurance policy.

What overseas medical expenses may be covered by travel insurance?

World Nomads travel insurance can offer coverage to help reimburse overseas emergency medical expenses including:

• Hospitalization
• Visits to registered medical practitioners
• X-rays and lab tests
• Prescribed medicines
• Ambulance transportation
• Being brought home, if medically necessary
• Emergency dental treatment – read more in our overseas dental article.

This is not a full list of what's covered. Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Coverage may depend on your past medical history, what's happened to you and any other conditions, limits, or exclusions of coverage as described in your policy.

Am I covered for Coronavirus related medical costs while overseas?

Both our Standard and Explorer plans for U.S. residents offer coverage for some Coronavirus (COVID-19) events, including:

• Emergency medical coverage, evacuation, and/or repatriation if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 while overseas;
• Coverage for some additional Coronavirus-related events such as cancellation following a diagnosis.

To qualify for coverage, you’ll need to have proof of a confirmed diagnosis from a doctor (not just an at-home rapid test). For more information, read ourWhat’s Covered for Coronavirusarticle which has some of the details, including benefit limits, conditions, and exclusions.

Worldwide 24/7 assistance for many types of emergencies

TheEmergency Assistance teamcan help you find local medical facilities if needed, and in the worst-case scenario, help get you home if you’re seriously injured or ill and need to be repatriated. When you call (free from anywhere in the world), make sure you have your policy number and a contact number for where you are so we can help.

What’s not covered?

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. The following situations are excluded from coverage:

• If you've used drugs or alcohol.
• Any reckless or illegal behavior.
• Non-emergency treatment that can wait until you return home (it's not regular health insurance; it's for travel health emergencies).
• Pre-existing medical conditions as defined in your policy wording.
• Care or treatment that is payable under any other insurance policy.
• Ongoing treatment at home.

What else do I need to know about travel insurance for emergency medical?

Here are a few other things you may want to keep in mind as you plan your trip:

• Most travel insurance is secondary. That means you’ll make a claim first with your primary insurer, then claim with us for the amount they did not cover, up to the policy limits. If you don’t have another source of insurance, travel insurance becomes your primary.
• We offer two plans – Standard and Explorer. When you get a quote, you can compare the two plans side by side. Only you can decide what is the best medical travel insurance to meet your needs. If you have any questions, reach out and our team will be happy to help.
• Many illnesses and accidents can be prevented with a bit of planning and care.
  • Make sure you’re up to date on all of your travel vaccinations like Typhoid, Hepatitis A/B and Yellow Fever, along with routine vaccinations like Flu, Covid and Tetanus. And check with your local health department or the CDC to see if anti-malarials or other medicines are appropriate for where you’re going.
  • Foodborne and waterborne illnesses can ruin a trip. If you’re not sure about food and water safety where you’re traveling, remember the ‘boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it’ rule. This goes for tooth brushing too.
  • For personal safety, never leave your food or drink unattended, especially if traveling alone.
  • To stay safe and healthy in extremely hot places: stay hydrated and in the shade; wear clothing that keeps you cool and reflects UVs; and avoid sightseeing in the hottest part of the day.
  • Know your limits and allow time for rest and snack breaks. If you’re planning a more adventurous trip with hiking, biking and more, start training early so you’ll be in great shape by the time you go.

This is not a full list of what is and isn’t covered, so please check your policy for a full list of terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that may apply to your specific plan. Any example scenarios provided above are not a guarantee of coverage. All claims are subject to review, require documentation and are considered individually. If you have any questions about what is and is not covered, pleasereach out– we’re happy to help.