You’ve been thinking about taking some paid time off — but something’s been bothering you. What happens if you or a family member gets sick while on vacation abroad? Would the health insurance you have at home cover you?

The answer is probably not what you want to hear: probably not. The U.S. State Department even has a big notice on its website that says so. That includes types of insurance like Medicare, Medicaid and the health insurance you get through private insurers.¹

The good thing: That’s not the final word on insurance abroad. You can get travel insurance, which can cover you and your family.

Understanding how travel insurance works and where you can get it can help you make sure you have a safer trip.

If you need to cut your vacation short because of an unexpected sickness or injury, SafeTrip travel protection can help you get reimbursed for your emergency medical bills and get you back home safely. Learn more.

What is travel insurance?

You can find travel insurance available in these 3 forms:¹

1. Travel insurance, which helps cover:

• Damaged or stolen bags
• Flight cancellations or disruptions
• Pet boarding
• Rental car and gear coverage (think scuba or tennis equipment)

2. Travel medical insurance, which helps cover things like unexpected illnesses or injuries while you’re traveling. It can also help with additional things like:

• Help with lost or stolen documents (like passports)
• Legal referrals
• Locating healthcare providers
• Translation services for communicating with locals
• 24/7 emergency support

3. Medical evacuation insurance, which you can buy as a stand-alone plan or as part of your travel medical insurance, and helps cover:

• Emergency transportation
• Medical care

It’s particularly important if you’re traveling to countries that have limited facilities. That could be things like hospitals or clinics on a small island.

It’s worth noting that some health insurance companies may combine these 3 types of insurance, so you may not always see them available as 3 stand-alone options.

You and your family may be able to get covered in other ways, too. These can include:

• Your health insurance plan. Some health insurance plans offer limited coverage while you travel.
• Your credit card. Some credit cards provide travel insurance benefits, but coverage can vary depending on the company or type of card.
• Travel insurance provider. Many insurance companies offer complete travel insurance plans that can be tailored to your specific needs.
• Health insurance provider. Some health insurance companies sell stand-alone travel insurance or travel medical plans. For example, UnitedHealthcare Global sells both types of plans under its SafeTrip travel protection product. (You don’t have to be a UnitedHealthcare member to purchase a SafeTrip plan.)

What types of travel insurance are available to me?

Let’s say you decide to buy travel insurance through UnitedHealthcare Global. Here are 3 types of plans you might see:

1. International Travel Medical Plus. This is a plan that covers medical needs and trip cancellations. It has:

• No deductibles
• Trip cancellation, interruption, delay and baggage coverage
• Medical and security assistance
• Choice to add extreme sports and rental car coverage

2. International Travel Medical. This type of plan provides emergency medical insurance and features:

• No deductibles
• Up to $1 million for medical expense limit
• Medical evacuation and medical assistance
• Choice to add extreme sports coverage

3. Travel Protection. This plan provides protection for U.S. trip cancellations, interruptions and delays. It includes:

• No deductibles
• Trip cancellation, interruption, delay and baggage coverage
• Full accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage (loss of a limb or limbs)
• Choice to add rental car coverage

All alone and sick in a foreign country? SafeTrip travel protection can fly in a loved one to be with you in your time of need. Learn more now.

How can travel insurance cover my family members?

Travel insurance can provide a range of benefits to make sure your family is protected during your trip. These can include:

1. AD&D. Travel insurance can provide additional financial help. That can be helpful if you experience an accidental death or dismemberment during your trip.
2. Lost or delayed luggage. You can get the help you need — in the form of compensation — if your luggage is lost or delayed.
3. Loved ones can be flown in. You can have a loved one (or loved ones) flown into your destination to be with you during a medical emergency in certain cases.
4. Medical bills. Travel insurance can help pay your medical bills if you (or a family member) get sick or injured while you’re on a trip.
5. Political or security events. Let’s say you and your family have to leave your destination due to a political or security event. The plan will cover what you might have to pay to get you and your family to a safe place.
6. Return of remains. If you (or a family member) die while traveling, your plan will help get the remains returned home.
7. Service animal. If you or a family member are hospitalized and unable to travel, the plan covers expenses incurred to get your service animal home or boarded temporarily.
8. Trip interruption. If you need to cut your trip short because of your or a family member’s health condition, travel insurance can help bring you home safely and cover the expenses.
9. Unattended family members. You can help bring your kids home safely if they are left unattended in certain cases.

What won’t my travel insurance plan cover?

It’s important to understand what travel insurance doesn’t cover. Some of these things include:*

• Age limits. Some plans may have age limits, particularly for older adults.
• Exclusions. Certain activities, such as extreme sports, may not be covered unless you add specific coverage to a plan.
• Plan limits. Each plan has a coverage limit for medical expenses, trip cancellations and other benefits. That’s the most it’ll pay in certain situations. You’ll want to review your plan’s brochure or talk to a licensed insurance agent about what these limits might be.
• Pre-existing conditions. Depending on your plan, you may be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, like cancer or diabetes.

Which type of travel insurance should I buy for my family?

It depends on some factors. That could include:

• How big your family is
• How much you’ve budgeted for unexpected medical bills
• Where you’re planning to travel

Wherever you decide to travel, it’s important to have protections in place before you go there. That’ll give you more time to do what you set out to do in the first place: have fun.

SafeTrip travel protection can help transport you to safety if you have to leave a country while on vacation. (And get your kids out, too.)

*This list is not all-inclusive.

For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice. SafeTrip policies are underwritten by Centurion Casualty Company or H&W Indemnity SPC for and on behalf of Global Solutions SP. The plans also contain non-insurance Travel Assistance Services provided by UnitedHealthcare Services Inc., or its applicable affiliate operating as UnitedHealthcare Global. Claims administration services are provided by Co-Ordinated Benefit Plans, Inc. Coverages may vary under applicable law and not all coverage is available in all jurisdictions. Insurance coverages are subject to the terms, limitations and exclusions in the plan, including an exclusion for pre-existing conditions. UnitedHealthcare Global does not guarantee clinical outcomes. 

Compliance Code:
52377-X-0625

Sources:

1. U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Consular Affairs. “Insurance coverage overseas.” February 23, 2024. Retrieved from https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/your-health-abroad/Insurance_Coverage_Overseas.html