[NEW] 7 Best International Health Insurances for Expats & Immigrant | international medical insurance – Sonduongpaper

Last Updated on October 20, 2021 by Rodrigo @ OutofYourComfortZone

If you’re moving or living abroad, then you need expat/international health insurance! But there’s a lot of insurance options out there, so it’s hard to know what to choose. Check out this article to learn about the best options (with pros & cons) and see tables comparing the most important features of each plan.

So you’re going to live abroad….congrats!

Living, working, or going to school in a foreign country can be an exciting experience. And you’ll join thousands of people just like you who have the chance to explore the world outside of their home countries. But as you make plans to get that visa and schedule that doctor’s visit for vaccinations, there’s another important thing you want to make sure you don’t forget about: expat/international health insurance.

 

Update regarding Health Insurance for Expats and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 

Most of you are already aware of the new coronavirus (also known as COVID-19 pandemic). And I so guess a lot of you are asking yourselves if your international health insurance covers you if you get coronavirus.

Well, I’m not a doctor, a scientist, and I don’t work for a health insurance company. But from my research, there are usually 2 cases where you are covered by your international health insurance for expats if you contract Coronavirus:

1) You will be covered by virtually all health insurance companies and plans up to the moment you go to the hospital or doctor with flu-kind of symptoms and get your first treatment. If you’re diagnosed with coronavirus, then some health insurance policies might not cover you depending on which country you are. 

2) Since the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic, some international health insurances have exceptions in their coverage. Others follow the CDC (Center for Disease and Control) guidelines for countries with level 3 warnings. 

To know more about COVID-19 pandemic coverage from the international health insurance companies mentioned below (Signa, IMG, Seven corners), please check my article Does International Health and Travel Insurance cover Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Alternatively, you can use the links to the companies provided below and get the most accurate and updated information from their websites. 

—

 

What is expat/international health insurance?

International health insurance for expats and immigrants covers your medical expenses while you’re living in another country long-term. Usually, it’ll cover you for a wide range of healthcare – from medical emergencies to just preventative healthcare.

As you’ll see down below, this is NOT the same as travel insurance and it’s not something you’ll want to skip.

 

Why do I need international medical insurance for expats and immigrants?

Just like you need health insurance at home, you also need health insurance if you plan on living in another country for more than 6 months. And many countries also require proof of medical insurance before they grant you a visa or work permit (you’ll find more about this in the “expat/international health insurance for immigration” section down below).

While you’re living abroad, you’ll still need to have regular physicals, treat any health issues when they come up, and have a plan in place in case you have a health emergency. So you will need a medical insurance that works overseas.

You may be able to get healthcare through an employer if you are being sent to another country to work, but not always. So, make sure you check with the company to find out if they have an international health plan in place for you and your family.

The good news is that you can buy an immigrant/expat insurance plan that mimics the coverage you have already at home and will give you comprehensive health coverage worldwide.

All of these international health plans I recommend below can be modified whether you are a single traveler or need family coverage.

 

Why can’t I just make sure I’m healthy before I leave?

Hopefully, you’ll visit your doctor before you leave your home country. But you also need to take care of yourself while you’re away. And if you have pre-existing conditions or are on maintenance medications, they won’t be covered in another country.

And as we all know…accidents happen (I broke my toe once in South Korea, I’ve met travelers who fell off their skateboard, anyone who’s spent time abroad has probably encountered food poisoning, etc.). So you want to make sure you’re covered when they do.

 

Why can’t I just keep the health insurance I already have at home?

Your health insurance from back home won’t cover you while you live in another country long-term. And if you aren’t a citizen of the country you will be moving to, you won’t be covered by its public healthcare system.

 

Can I just use travel insurance for healthcare while living abroad?

In general, no. Travel insurance is typically purchased for stays that are less than 6 months in a single country (although you can get longer plans for several countries if you’re a tourist).

Here’s a bit more info on travel insurance versus expat/international health insurance below.

 

Difference between travel insurance & expat/international health insurance

 

Travel insurance:

• Is for tourists or people who are just traveling, not living in a new country

• Usually only covers medical emergencies that happen overseas (and won’t usually cover things like basic preventative care)

• May also cover things like lost baggage and canceled flight (depending on your policy)

• Is sometimes required to travel to certain areas (like the European Schengen Area

 

To learn more about travel insurance, check out our article with the 3 Best and Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies.

 

Expat/international/immigrant/overseas health insurance:

• Is for people moving abroad or living long-term in another country

• Works like your normal insurance from back home would

• Covers more than just emergency medical care (such as preventative care, dental, or vision)

• Can cover things like pregnancy, cancer treatment, or mental health services (depending on the plans)

• Is often a requirement to apply for visas or resident permits

• You can keep renewing it as long as you are overseas. Having international health insurance that carries over is essential for those looking to permanently relocate abroad

 

Expat/international health insurance for immigration and applying for residence permits/visa

In most countries, to get a temporary or permanent resident visa, you will need to prove that you are covered by some kind of international health insurance (and no, they won’t just accept travel insurance).

We all know immigration can be a bit tricky, so make sure the expat/international health insurance policy you are buying meets the immigration office requirements of the country you are moving to. You may be able to find this info online, otherwise, you’ll probably want to contact them directly.

 

Personal experience using expat/international health insurance for immigration in Sweden (hint: it’s not always easy):  When Nikki moved to Sweden from the United States, she needed to prove to the immigration that she was covered by an international health insurance to get her temporary residence permit. She bought a policy from one of the companies below, and it was accepted by immigration.

But then when she applied for her tax number through the Swedish tax office and needed to show proof of international health insurance again, this same policy wasn’t accepted and she had to purchase a new one with a different company.

If this is an issue you think you might run into, be sure to look into the cancellation policies of each insurance company. Then, even if immigration rejects the insurance plan you have, you won’t lose too much by canceling your current plan and buying a new one. 

 

What should I look for in an overseas healthcare plan for expatriates?

While the plan you choose will depend on the kind of coverage you need while you live as an immigrant/expat, here are some of the basic things they should include:

• Adequate yearly benefit maximums

• Flexibility in plans and prices

• Wellness care and emergency care

• Inpatient and outpatient hospital visits

• A large network of doctors and medical facilities to choose from

• Multilingual and 24/7 customer service

 

We’ve compared our three favorite expat/immigration insurance options for you to check out below. All offer basic coverage for inpatient care and routine doctor’s visits, emergency evacuations, and 24/7 customer service.

Dental and vision will cost you more. If you are pregnant or plan on expanding your family while you’re in another country, you’ll have to buy the most expensive plans.

And just remember that the less expensive your plan is, the less coverage you’ll get.

So, make sure that you do your research in order to find the right plan that works for you.

 

Who do these international health insurances work for?

 

For these citizens living abroad as expats or immigrants:

• Americans

• Canadians

• Australians

• Chinese

• Germans

• French

• Argentinians

• British

• Swedes

• New Zealanders

And for citizens from almost every other country living abroad

 

For expats/immigrants living in:

• The United States
• Canada
• China
• Germany
• Sweden
• Spain
• Portugal
• France (European Union/Schengen Area as a whole)
• United Kingdom
• China (and Hong Kong)
• Australia
• Switzerland

And for expats living in almost any other country in the world

In other words, no matter your citizenship or which country you are moving to, most of these international health plans will work for you since they are truly global insurances.

 

Some questions to ask yourself before you buy expat/international medical insurance:

Do you need a private room if you’re admitted to a hospital?

Are you planning on starting a family or expanding your family?

Do you have any pre-existing conditions or are you on any medications you need to continue while living in another country?

Are you willing to pay a higher deductible for lower premiums?

 

Note: If you aren’t really an expat/immigrant but an international student at a school or college/university overseas, then I suggest you take a look at my article with the 3 Best and Cheapest Health Insurance for International Students and Exchanges/Study Abroad.

 

 

The 7 Best Companies for Expat Insurance/International Healthcare Plans

 

 

What I like:

• Three plans to choose from: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

• Basic silver plan covers $100 of eye care a year and some cancer screenings

• 

  You can modify a plan to add outpatient coverage and emergency medical evacuation if you need to leave the country to seek treatment

• They offer flexible deductibles so you can control what you pay upfront.

• 24/7 multilingual customer service

• Monthly, quarterly or yearly payment options

• Direct provider billing (Cigna pays for your appointment directly)

• Middle Eastern medical coverage

• Plans offer organ transplant services & kidney dialysis treatments

• It’s an international health insurance with good reviews

• Their website has info about your host country’s finance system, culture, and schools

 

What I didn’t like:

• You have to give a lot of personal information before you can get a quote.

• The basic plan doesn’t cover maternity care (so you’ll need a purchase a more expensive policy if you plan to have a baby while abroad)

 

Get your Cigna quote here

 

 

IMG sells several kinds of insurance. From travel insurance to health insurance for students to insurance for crew members and, obviously, insurance for expatriates. So when searching on their website, look for health insurance for “Expat / Global Citizen.”

 

What I like:

• Have 5 plans for you to choose from

• They offer you a cash incentive and up to 50% of your deductible waived if you choose one of their facilities outside of the U.S.

• They have more than 29 years of immigrant/expat health insurance coverage experience.

• Their website features an online portal for 24/7 access and emergency medical services

• A network that includes 17,000 physicians and facilities worldwide.

• Direct billing

• They offer annual international health insurance plans as well as short-term plans

• They cover individuals & families from all nationalities 

• Prices for 12-month worldwide coverage with a $250 deductible could cost less than $1000 annually for their Bronze package

 

What I didn’t like:

• Coverage ends at 75 years of age (but if you take out a plan before you turn 65 and keep it, you can take part in their lifetime enrollment plan)

• Basic plan doesn’t cover maternity and even their most expensive plan only covers deliveries and newborn care after you’ve been enrolled for at least 10 months

 

Effective July 1, 2020, International Medical Group (IMG®) has amended the current Public Health Emergency exclusion in their international student insurance policy wordings by issuing an endorsement that provides coverage for COVID-19 medical expenses. This endorsement will be added to the following plans:

• Patriot Exchange Program

• Student Health Advantage

• Student Health Advantage Platinum

• All customized student and exchange plans

This update is applicable to the above-mentioned plans for all new and existing insureds.

 

Get your IMG quote here

 

 

Aetna is a company that makes it a priority to provide its customers with services that are in line with their actual needs. For this reason, this company works with a variety of plans tailored to expatriates and citizens living in various countries around the world.

What I like: 

• It is a solid company that has been in business for over 50 years

• They set up tailor-made plans for expats and digital nomads

  24 hours a day, 7 days a week service

• Most plans offered include full coverage for hospitalization, emergency evacuation, repatriation and cancer treatment

• Has won awards for “Best International Private Health Insurance Provider” and “Health Insurer of the Year

• Aetna has developed an application where you can monitor your health, and by practicing healthy habits users earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards at popular stores

• Covers expatriates and foreign residents in more than 15 countries and territories worldwide

 

What I didn’t like: 

• They do not offer travel insurance plans for solo travelers or families

• Website could be more clear and intuitive when presenting available plans

 

Aetna International fully covers the cost of Covid-19 treatment and testing for members of some of its plans, such as Medicare. To find out which plans are covered, you need to contact the company.

 

Get your Aetna quote here

 

 

GeoBlue is an excellent choice of insurance for expatriates, and if you are a resident of or visitor to the United States it is the perfect choice. This company meets the highest quality standards and is among the leaders in its category.

What I like: 

• Service that meets the highest quality standards

• other countries

  Flexible plan designed especially for expatriates and foreign nationals living in the US or US citizens living inother countries

• With the Xplorer plan, you have no deductible for standard services and an unlimited medical cap

• The Xplorer plan covers extreme sports and has no cancellation fees

• Optional dental and vision options

• Several plans to choose from

• 24 hour service 7 days a week

• Plans with full coverage, from evacuation, health consultations to maternity care

 

What I didn’t like: 

• Not available to residents of New York and Washington

• For pricing, you must contact a broker

 

GeoBlue offers unlimited telemedicine consultations completely free of charge for members of its plans with Covid-19 questions. If requested by a physician, the company also covers clinical testing and treatment for Covid-19

 

Get your GeoBlue quote here

 

 

 

Safety Wing is one of the largest companies for overseas health insurance, whether for students, digital nomads, and, of course, expats. Their site is easy to use and you can get a quote for their plans based on your age, length of stay, and countries covered. 

What I like: 

• As I said, their website is very easy-to-use and quick to get a quote

• Safety Wing covers COVID-19 for expats! 

• 

  The company is very clear about what each plan does or doesn’t cover

• It’s possible to add additional services like dentist, maternity care, deductible expenses, physical therapy & family doctor 

• They offer coverage of up to $10,000 USD for repatriation after political evacuation 

• You’ll receive payment help if you’re treated in a public hospital without fees or when the treatment is covered by another insurance (in these cases, you’ll receive US $125 per night for up to 30 nights) 

• They have full coverage and reimbursement for cancer treatments and reconstructive surgeries 

• They cover insurance for children under 10 without any additional costs 

• You can get 24/7 customer support anywhere in the world 

• They also cover visits to your home country for 30 days every 90 days 

 

What I didn’t like: 

• The coverage for United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore has quite high fees 

• You need to create a login and fill out a lot of information before getting a quote 

• Quotes don’t show all fees 

 

Safety Wing also covers COVID-19 in their expat insurance plans. And as of August 1st, 2020, this coverage is available for their nomad plans. 

However, COVID-19 tests are only covered when they are deemed necessary by a doctor. Antibody tests, on the other hand, are never covered as they are not medically necessary.

 

Get your Safety Wing quote here

 

  

Part of the Foyer Group, a huge European enterprise, Global Health is specialized in many types of insurance – from travel insurance to expat and student insurance. Beyond being a reliable and well-known company, it may also have the largest variety of personalized plans for you to choose from. 

What I like: 

• each of these from zero to the maximum) 

  It’s possible to personalize your insurance coverage based on your age, country of origin, dental care, eye care, maternity & small child care, and more (you can even choose the amount of coverage you want fromeach of these from zero to the maximum)

• It’s possible to choose insurance for a single person, for a family without children, or for a family with children

•  Even if you don’t have U.S. health insurance, you’ll be covered with emergencies while on American soil 

• Beyond the personalization above, you can also choose between ESSENTIAl, SPECIAL, and EXCLUSIVE 

• It’s very easy and quick to get a quote – minimal personal information needed 

• There are options for deductibles 

• It’s possible to get short-term plans if you don’t plan to stay long in another country  

• It’s possible to do a comparison between the plans to decide which is right for you 

• They offer health coverage options for expats all over Europe 

 

What I didn’t like: 

• The coverage for the most simple and basic plans leaves out many things like maternity care and newborn care 

• The customer service, although it seems to work fine, isn’t as straightforward as the others on this list 

• The website isn’t so clear about what is/isn’t covered and the limits 

• The website gives a lot of info about coronavirus, but it isn’t clear if any of their plans do/don’t cover tests of COVID-19 complications 

• They charge a 5 euro fee for emergency support 

 

Get your Foyer Global Health quote here 

 

 

Another good insurance option for expatriates and immigrants is Global Underwriters, they have been in the market for years offering differentiated plans for travelers from all over the world.

The best plans for expatriates are Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International, both of which serve the needs of residents in foreign countries very well and have very complete coverage.

 

What I like:

• Plans cover medical evacuations, repatriation of remains and emergency dentistry

• They have coverage of up to $1,000,000 for medical care and accidental death or dismemberment

• They offer assistance in case of interruptions during the trip caused by health problems and assistance in case of lost luggage

 

What I didn’t like: 

• The Diplomat Long Term plan does not serve citizens residing in New York, Maryland, South Dakota, as well as residents of Australia and Iran

• The Diplomat Long Term plan does not cover travel to Cuba, Iran and Afghanistan

• The Diplomat International plan does not cover care for Covid-19

 

Get your Global Underwriters quote here 

 

 

Bonus:

 

 

As with IMG, Seven Corners also has medical insurance for travelers, students, faculty,  and others. 

 

What I like:

• They have a 20-year history providing international health insurance options

• Offer plans that cover pre-existing conditions

• They’ll locate an embassy for you and give you travel advisories

• 24/7 multilingual travel assistance

• 

  Their plans offer inpatient, outpatient, dental, emergency evacuation and emergency reunion (a friend or family member to be flown to be at your side while you are in the hospital)

• You can add a hazardous sports rider that covers hang gliding, zip-lining, water skiing , and bungee jumping.

• Basic plans are reasonably-priced – A single male moving to Fiji can get a basic plan with a $250 deductible for about $1 a day

  

What I don’t like:

• You can’t get a plan if your U.S. address is in Maryland, Washington, New York, South Dakota or Colorado

• Can’t get coverage if you’re above 60 years old

• They don’t provide coverage in if you’re going to Iran, Syria, U.S. Virgin Islands, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, or Sierra Leone

• You need to have precertification for certain services like inpatient stays, rehab, and outpatient surgeries, and home healthcare

 

Get your Seven Corners Liaison Majestic quote here 

 

 

As the name implies, Now Health International’s mission is to offer an efficient, affordable, and quickly accessible service, and nothing better than now for this.

Therefore, the focus of this company is very much on the relationship with the customer. Plan information is provided in a clear and agile manner and any possible queries are resolved by the company’s customer support team.

Now Health plans are designed to meet the daily challenges of those living abroad, providing guidance and providing quality healthcare around the world.

 

What I like:

• Customized plans according to your needs

• Clear information and excellent customer service team

• Provides coverage in 194 countries and territories

• Plans with high coverage routine maternity coverage

 

What I don’t like:

• You must wait a 12-month grace period to use maternity coverage.

• In some procedures, it is necessary to use the company’s reimbursement system, which means that you would have to pay for your care initially

 

Do you consider yourself a “global citizen,” or are you a digital nomad and need medical insurance that will follow you worldwide?

If so, the insurance above works for you too. The 7 international health insurances listed are ideal for digital nomads or any person who keeps living all over the world and doesn’t have a fixed country of residency. After all, “global citizens” deserve global health insurance!

 

Quick summary comparison of the 7 international health insurance plans:

 

CIGNA

IMGLOBAL

AETNA

GEOBLUE

SAFETY WING

GLOBAL HEALTH FOYER

GLOBAL UNDERWRITERS

Silver – $1 million                          

BRONZE – $1 million

The values of the limits increase depending on the length of the insurance contract

The coverage amounts may change according to your choices

Annual benefit maximum of US $1,000,000

Personalized plans for you or your family 

Maximum annual benefit of $1,000,000.00

Gold – $2 million                          

SILVER – $5 million

Aetna’s plans may cover cancer treatments when the patient is part of a clinical trial.

Full reimbursement for hospital & cancers treatments, ambulance, and reconstructive surgeries

Value of total coverage is something you can customize per item

Up to $1,000,000 coverage in cases of accidental death or dismemberment

Platinum – Unlimited 

GOLD – FOR COVERAGE UP TO 36 MONTHS

 – 

$5 million

Value of total coverage is something you can customize per item

 

 

GOLD – FOR COVERAGE AFTER 36 MONTHS

 – 

$5 million

GOLD PLUS

 – 

$5 million

PLATINUM

 – 

$8 million

 

A complete table comparing these 7 health insurances for expats…

 

Get a Quote

Get a Quote

Get a Quote

Get a Quote

Get a Quote

Get a Quote

Get a Quote

BENEFIT

LIMIT

LIMIT

LIMIT

LIMIT

LIMIT

LIMIT

LIMIT

Benefit Information

Medical Maximum

Unlimited (for the Platinum plan)

$8,000,000

The site doesn’t specify 

Unlimited

US$1,000,000 per year

The site doesn’t specify 

$1,000,000

U.S. In-Network Coinsurance

You choose. From 70%(100% thereafter) to 100%

100%

No

60% for maximum coinsurance and then 100%

Yes, for higher fees

Only in emergencies

Yes

U.S. Out-of-Network Coinsurance

You choose. From 70%(100% thereafter) to 100%

90% to $5,000 (100% thereafter)

Yes, for higher fees

100%

100%

100%

100%

Mental Health Availability

No waiting period

12-month waiting period

Co-payment of $25 per visit, waived deductible

75% up to 40 visits / 60% after that

No

Waiting period of 10 months

Depends on the plan

Mental Health Benefit

Inpatient and Outpatient: $5,000 lifetime maximum to paid in full depending on the plan

Inpatient and Outpatient: $50,000 lifetime maximum

Co-payment of $250 after deductible

100% up to 60 days

International and ambulance: limit not specified

Inpatient Prescription Drugs

$500 to paid in full depending on the plan

Up to $8,000,000

Yes

Complete reimbursement

Yes

Yes

Outpatient Prescription Drugs

None, unless you buy the International Outpatient Option

Up to $8,000,000

Complete reimbursement

Yes

Yes

Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains

Paid in full

Up to $8,000,000

Yes

Up to $25,000

No

Up to 10,000 euros 

Yes

Accidental Death & Dismemberment

Depends on the plan

Rider available, limit depends on age.

$50,000

Depends on the plan

Emergency Dental

Paid in full

Up to $8,000,000

Optional

1,000 per year, $ 200 per tooth

Yes, however you need to pay an extra fee on top of your plan

Depending on the plan, it’s unlimited

It has coverage in the Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International plans

Treatment Necessary as Result of Terrorism

Up to the amount of the coverage

Rider available up to $50,000-lifetime maximum

Clause available up to maximum of $50,000 in lifetime payments

Amateur Sports

Unlimited

Rider available up to $10,000

No

Yes

No

No

No

Newborn Care

Routine Nursery Care of a Newborn Child of a Covered Pregnancy

$25,000 to $156,000 depending on the plan

$1,000 additional deductible, $50,000 lifetime maximum, $200 wellness benefit for first 12 months

Yes

Depends on the plan

Can be unlimited depending on the plan

Can be unlimited depending on the plan

Children born as a result of fertility treatment (such as IVF or surrogacy)

Only after the baby is 90 days old

Excluded

Depends on the plan

Excluded

No

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Check website for updated information

$250,000 maximum for first 31 days

No

Up to $250,000 for the first 31 days 

No

Pre-existing Conditions

Pre-existing condition exclusion period

Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness

Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness

Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness

Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness

Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness

Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness

Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness

Pre-existing condition look back period

Any time prior to effective date

Any time prior to effective date

Any time prior to effective date

Any time prior to effective date

Any time prior to the effective date

Any time prior to the effective date

Any time prior to the effective date

Pre-existing annual maximum once covered

Unlimited depending on the plan

Up to $8,000,000

Unlimited depending on the plan

Unlimited depending on the plan

Full reimbursement

Unlimited depending on the plan

Unlimited depending on the plan

Pre-existing lifetime maximum once covered

Unlimited depending on the plan

Up to $8,000,000

Unlimited depending on the plan

Unlimited depending on the plan

Full reimbursement

Unlimited depending on the plan

Unlimited depending on the plan

Worldwide Medical Insurance / Comparison Chart*

Part of the table courtesy of Tokio Marine HCC

*Note: this table is just for informational purposes and subject to change. It was accurate as of the time we wrote it here, but please check each company’s individual website for updated info.

 

To sum up…

These are the 7 best international health insurance for expats and immigrants:

1. Cigna

2. IMG

3. Aetna

4. GeoBlue

5. Safety Wing

6. Foyer Global Health

7. Global Underwriters

 

In conclusion…

The bottom line is if you are going to live in another country temporarily or permanently, you need to get yourself an immigrant/expat health insurance plan.

But we know it can be a little bit overwhelming to choose the right plan. We’ve been through this personally so please, leave a comment below if you have any questions or if there’s anything you think we’ve missed!

 

Do you live abroad and need to receive or send money back home cheaply?

I have a specific article to help you make international transfers as cheaply as possible: The 5 Best Websites for International Money Transfers (send and receive money from abroad).

 

Planning your next trip?

 

Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, we recommend Booking.com. They have a huge selection of hotels and hostels all over the world. Plus, in most cases, you can cancel your reservation without any costs up to a few days before the check-in date! 

 

Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at

Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at Momondo . It’s a flight aggregator that combines several other ticket search websites to make it easier for you to compare prices and make sure you are getting the best deal.

 

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then check out Rentalcar.com to search and compare car rental companies from all over the world on a single website. Then, you can find the cheapest price for the best car!

 

If you want to hear about new articles, check out our latest pictures, and read our newest updates, be sure to follow us here….

        

…..and subscribe to our newsletter below!

 

What is Travel Health Insurance?

Travel health insurance is a kind of insurance policy that is helpful when a medical emergency can occur at any point of the overseas trip. It is no brainer that the cost of healthcare abroad is way more than that in India. If the insured gets hospitalised abroad for something as common as viral fever, it can cause a big dent in the trip budget.

Travel medical insurance is a variant of a travel insurance policy that covers the insured travellers against any medical contingencies faced during their overseas trip. Medical travel insurance will protect them from any unforeseen medical emergencies, such as hospitalization due to accident or illness, that may create a financial burden. Travel health insurance will also assist them in accessing healthcare services if they get stuck abroad during the trip.

In short, a travel health insurance policy takes care of the insured’s medical expenses, safety and makes sure that he/she travel stress-free. Regardless of the age and whether the insured is travelling for a vacation or business purpose, he/she can buy the best travel medical insurance in India for the trip.

Why Buy a Travel Health Insurance Plan?

Medical emergencies can take place irrespective of a person’s location. In case a person falls sick or gets injured while travelling abroad, he/she may end up incurring major financial losses as healthcare facilities are very expensive abroad. But if the traveller has a travel health insurance policy, it supports him/her financially to pay for unaccounted medical expenses that he/she may incur during the overseas trip.

Although travel insurance is essential for all kinds of travellers, travel health insurance is ideal for people seeking overseas medical coverage only. An overseas traveller should buy a travel health insurance policy only if he/she is not worried about obtaining coverage for travel-related emergencies, such as trip delay, baggage insurance, missed connection flight, etc. In case the traveller is already covered for travel and flight-related adversities, he/she can buy travel health insurance policy for his/her overseas trip.

Key Features of Travel Health Insurance in India

Following are some of the key benefits of buying international health insurance:

• Provides cashless hospitalization facility

• Available for occasional travellers and frequent flyers

• Offers 24×7 medical assistance

• Mostly offers global coverage

• Covers individual as well as families

• No pre-policy medical check-up for up to 70 years as per the plan

Things to Know About Travel Health Insurance

Categories

Specifications

Trips Covered

International

Number of Countries Covered

Worldwide

COVID-19 Cover

Available

Cashless Treatment

Available

Claim Assistance

Available

Types of Travel Health Insurance Policy

Broadly, a travel health insurance policy can be divided into two types based on trip frequency:

• Single Trip Travel Health Insurance

  If a traveller purchases travel medical insurance for a single trip, then it can be referred to as a Single Trip Travel Health Insurance policy. This type of insurance begins with the commencement of the trip and ends as soon as the traveller returns back home.

• Multi-Trip Travel Health Insurance

  A Multi-trip Travel Health Insurance policy provides coverage to the insured traveller for multiple trips. This type of insurance is usually taken for a policy term of one year. However, the duration of each trip is limited to 30/ 45/ 60 days as per the travel insurance company.

  On the basis of the destination country, international health insurance plans can be divided into the following types:

• Schengen Travel Health Insurance

  Schengen Travel Insurance plans provide coverage to travellers who are visiting one or more Schengen countries. The plan is usually available for trips of less than 90 days.

• Non-Schengen Travel Health Insurance

  Non-Schengen Travel Health Insurance plans are available to travellers who are travelling to a non-Schengen country or any country outside the Schengen region. This policy is available for single trips as well as multi-trips.

Travel Health Insurance Coverage

A travel medical insurance policy or medical travel insurance financially protects overseas travellers against the following adversities:

• Medical Illness Treatment

  Any emergency medical expenses that the insured traveller may incur on the treatment of a sudden illness during his/her trip will be covered under the travel medical insurance policy. It will include both daycare treatment expenses as well as hospitalization expenses. Some insurers may also cover pre and post hospitalization expenses up to a fixed number of days.

• Personal Accident

  If the insured meets with an accident during his/her trip, this medical travel insurance policy will bear the treatment expenses. It will also provide compensation in case the insured suffers from any partial or permanent disability due to the accidental injury.

• Emergency Medical Evacuation

  A travel health insurance policy will come to the rescue of the insured traveller in case he/she needs to be evacuated urgently to a nearby hospital. It will cover the transportation cost involved, i.e. ambulance charges.

• Emergency Dental Treatment

  If the insured traveller takes any treatment for emergency dental pain relief during his/her trip, then he/she will be covered by the medical travel insurance policy.

• Hospital Daily Cash

  In case the insured traveller gets hospitalized for more than a certain number of days, he/she will be eligible to receive a daily allowance to cover day-to-day expenses at the hospital.

• Delay/ Loss of Check-in Baggage

  If the check-in baggage of the insured is delayed or misplaced by the scheduled airline, the insurance provider will reimburse the expenses incurred and provide compensation for the losses incurred.

Additional Coverage of Travel Health Insurance

A handful of insurance companies in India also offer other kinds of coverage under travel medical insurance. While some insurers may offer these covers under basic coverage, other insurance companies may provide these covers on the payment of an additional premium amount. Take a look at some of the additional covers available under an international health insurance policy:

• Pre-Existing Diseases Cover

  In case the insured traveller takes medical treatment for any pre-existing diseases or medical conditions, the treatment expenses will be covered by the travel insurance provider under this cover.

• Flight Delays

  If the scheduled flight of the insured traveller gets delayed for more than a specified number of hours, then the insurer will compensate him/her for any losses incurred under the travel health insurance policy.

• Personal Liability

  In case a legal liability is imposed on the insured traveller during his/her trip for causing injuries or damages to a third party, this cover will enable the insurance company to pay compensation on behalf of the insured.

Travel Health Insurance Companies in India

Various public and private insurance companies are rolling out competitive travel health insurance plans with a range of attractive covers. Take a look at some of the leading insurance companies that offer travel health insurance plans in India:

Travel Health Insurance Companies in India

Maximum Entry Age

Key Features

Aditya Birla Travel Insurance

Not available

• Hospitalization expenses

• Medical emergency assistance

• Repatriation expenses

Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance

Minimum – 6 months

Maximum – 70 years

• Personal injuries

• Accidental death

• Medical evacuation

Bharti AXA Travel Insurance

Minimum – 3 months

Maximum – 85 years

• Dental care expenses

• Medical expenses

• Daily hospital allowance

Care Travel Insurance

Minimum – 1 day

Maximum – 70 years

• Hospitalization expenses

• Out-patient care

• Life-threatening conditions due to PED

Chola MS Travel Insurance

Minimum – 3 months

Maximum – 85 years

• Overseas medical expenses

• Personal accident – overseas

• Dental treatment expenses

Digit Travel Insurance

Minimum – 3 months

Maximum – 99 years

• Accidental death & disability

• Emergency medical treatment & evacuation

• Daily cash allowance

Future Generali Travel Insurance

Minimum – 6 months

Maximum – 80 years

• Emergency medical evacuation

• Medical expenses

• Emergency sickness dental relief

IFFCO Tokio Travel Insurance

Minimum – NA

Maximum – 60 years

• Medical expenses

• Dental treatment

• Hospital daily allowance

National Travel Insurance

Not available

• Medical evacuation

• Illness hospitalization expenses

• Medical emergency reunion

New India Travel Insurance

Minimum – 6 months

Maximum – 70 years

• Medical/ repatriation expenses

• Personal accident

Oriental Travel Insurance

Minimum – 6 months

Maximum – 60 years

• Personal accident

• Medical expenses and repatriation

Reliance Travel Insurance

Minimum – 6 months

Maximum – 60 years

• Medical expenses

• Total loss of checked-in baggage

• Delay of checked-in baggage

Royal Sundaram Travel Insurance

Minimum – 91 days

Maximum – No upper limit

• Sickness dental relief

• Medical expenses

• Repatriation of mortal remains

SBI Travel Insurance

Minimum – 6 months

Maximum – 70 years

• Hospitalization daily allowance

• Personal accident

• Medical expenses

Shriram Travel Insurance

Minimum – 90 days

Maximum – 65 years

• Personal accident

• Medical expenses cover

• Dental treatment

Star Travel Insurance

Minimum – 6 months

Maximum – 70 years

• Emergency medical transportation

• Dental emergency expenses

• Transportation of mortal remains

Tata AIG Travel Insurance

Minimum – 6 months

Maximum – Not available

• Accidental death & repatriation

• Medical emergencies

• Emergency medical evacuation

United India Travel Insurance

Minimum – 6 months

Maximum – 80 years

• Personal accident

• Medical expenses & repatriation

• Hospital daily allowance

 

Universal Sompo Travel Insurance

Minimum – 1 day

Maximum – 70 years

• Medical repatriation

• Dental treatment

• Medical expenses

See More Plans

Exclusions of Travel Health Insurance Policy

Most Travel Medical Insurance policies do not cover the following events or situations:

• Travelling Against Medical Advice – If the insured is travelling against the doctor’s advice, then the travel insurance company will not pay for any medical expenses incurred during the trip.
• Pre-existing Diseases – Most travel insurance companies do not provide coverage for any pre-existing medical condition or illness under travel health insurance plans unless purchased as an add-on cover.
• Consumption of Intoxicants – Any medical expenses incurred on the treatment of an illness or injury arising due to the consumption of intoxicants, such as alcohol and drugs, will not be covered.
• War or Civil Unrest – Any injury or illness of the insured traveller resulting due to events, such as war, an act of war, protest, strike, terrorism, etc., will not be covered under travel medical insurance policy.
• Cosmetic Treatment – No medical expenses incurred on cosmetic treatment and surgery will be covered by the insurance provider.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV AIDS – - If the insured traveller receives treatment for any sexually transmitted diseases or HIV AIDS while travelling, the expenses incurred will be excluded under this policy.
• Self-inflicted Injury – In case the insured traveller takes medical treatment for any self-inflicted injuries, such as suicide or attempt to suicide, it will not be covered by the travel health insurance policy.
• Alternative Treatment – If the insured traveller receives treatment through Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Siddha and Unani during his/her trip, then the insurance provider will not cover the expenses incurred.
• Adventure Sports – Most insurance companies do not cover any expenses incurred on the treatment of any injury or illness arising due to participation in adventure sports activities, such as rafting and skiing, during the trip.
• Mental Disorders – If the insured travellers take treatment for any medical disorders, such as anxiety, depression, etc., during the trip, then the medical expenses incurred will not be covered under the travel medical insurance policy.

Benefits of Travel Health Insurance Policy

Travelling can be quite uncertain. With the change in climate and exertion involved, the chances of a traveller getting ill increases leaps and bounds. Travel health insurance benefits travellers who unexpectedly fall sick or meet with an accident during their trip. Here are some of the ways through which a travel medical insurance policy can benefit a traveller:

• Emergency Medical Expenses

  If the insured traveller gets ill or meet with an accident and require hospitalization, his/her travel health insurance policy will cover all the expenses incurred on the treatment. It covers both pre and post hospitalization expenses as well as the cost of transporting the patient to the hospital by reimbursing the ambulance charges. Moreover, travel medical insurance provides compensation if the insured suffers from temporary or permanent disability.

• Medical Assistance at Remote Areas

  This type of insurance can turn out to be quite useful if the insured is travelling to a remote area with poor healthcare services. The insurance provider will evacuate the traveller to the nearest hospital in case he/she requires emergency medical assistance.

• Coverage for Each Traveller

  No matter where a traveller is going and for what purpose, a travel health insurance policy will provide coverage to all kinds of travellers. From individuals to families and senior citizens to students, every traveller can opt for protection under this medical travel insurance policy. Even people who travel frequently to different places abroad are protected under this policy.

• Travel Stress-Free

  A trip can become quite stressful if someone gets ill or injured in an accident. However, people with travel medical insurance can travel without a worry as they are covered for any unforeseen medical emergency under the policy.

How to Buy Travel Health Insurance?

A travel health insurance policy can be purchased both online and offline. People who want to buy travel insurance offline can visit the nearest branch of the insurance company or contact one of its agents. People who want to buy travel health insurance online can follow the steps given below:

• Visit the official website of Policybazaar Insurance Broker Private Limited
• Go to the option of buying travel insurance
• Fill in the online application form with the required details such as travel dates, destination, email id, etc.
• Select the international health insurance plan to buy
• Pay the premium amount online
• The traveller will receive a soft copy of the policy document in the email.

Prospective travellers can also call the toll-free number of com on 1800-208-8787 to buy the policy. In case of any confusion, they can also write to [email protected]

What is International Travel Medical Insurance?

International travel medical insurance refers to travel health insurance plans that cover international trips. It provides coverage to the insured traveller against medical emergencies faced during the overseas trip. Usually, such plans have a greater emphasis on coverage for medical evacuation. Most insurance companies offer international travel medical insurance plans with worldwide coverage.

Claim Procedure for Travel Health Insurance

The claim procedure under the best travel health insurance policy is similar to that of a regular travel insurance policy. Follow the steps given below to register a claim under a Travel Medical Health insurance policy:

• Inform the insurance company or the third party assistance (TPA) provider about the hospitalization abroad through phone or email
• Arrange documents that need to be submitted in support of the claim, including the claim form
• Submit all the documents to the TPA or the insurance provider via post, email or fax
• The claims team will verify the claim and make the payment

Cashless claims can only be made if the insured gets hospitalized at one of the network hospitals of the insurance company. In case of cashless claims, the insurer will settle the bill directly with the network hospital after the treatment is over.

How to Renew a Travel Health Insurance Policy?

A travel health insurance policy usually comes with the renewability option. In case the insured decides to extend his/her trip and wishes to stay covered against any unforeseen medical expenses, he/she can renew the policy. Just make sure to renew the existing policy before it gets expired.

The insured traveller can renew a travel medical insurance policy both online and offline. Offline policy renewal would need him/her to visit the nearest office of the insurance provider or contact an insurance agent.

People who want to renew their travel health insurance online can follow the steps given below:

• Visit the website from where the policy was purchased
• Log in to the website using the username and password
• Enter the details of the existing policy, such as policy number
• Review the details of the existing policy
• Pay the premium amount
• The renewed policy will be sent to the policyholder.

Compare Best Travel Health Insurance Plans

It can get very difficult for an individual to select the best travel health insurance plan as there are lots of options available in the market. Therefore, the best way to find the most suitable travel medical insurance is by comparing various plans offered by different insurance companies.

This will help the insured to find an ideal plan for his/her trip, which will provide the best coverage at an economical rate. Anyone can compare different travel health insurance policies online at the website of Policybazaar Insurance Broker Private Limited.