Is Travel Medical Insurance Affordable and Worth the Cost?

We could make this the shortest post on our website by answering the above questions in one sentence:  Yes. Travel medical insurance is affordable and worth the cost.

For the sake of argument, let's say you don't understand why you should spend the extra money on your trip. If that's you, allow us to explain the benefits. 

Overview: What's typically covered by travel medical insurance?

The answer to this will vary from plan to plan depending on the insurance provider, but the basics include: 

• Medical expenses
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Pre-existing condition coverage 
• Terrorism medical expenses
• Political evacuation

International travel poses more risks than traveling within the country where you reside. Some of the coverage options listed above might not apply to the type of trip you're taking, which means you may need a different type of coverage. If that is the case, or if you want to protect the money you spent for your trip so you can be reimbursed for nonrefundable trip expenses, try a trip protection plan.

When would you purchase travel medical insurance? 

Travel medical insurance is available to travelers from all over the world and is typically purchased when they plan to visit a country outside their own. This type of coverage may be especially beneficial if your plans fall into one of the following categories:

• When you travel to a foreign country that may not have appropriate medical care.
• When you travel internationally to a country known for severe illnesses.
• When you only need medical coverage while traveling overseas.

Is travel medical insurance affordable? 

The cost of your travel medical plan varies with your age, the length of your trip, and the medical maximum and deductible you select.  

For just a few dollars per day, you can buy $100,000 worth of coverage with a $250 deductible. There are also options for higher amounts of coverage and lower deductibles, based on your needs. Remember that the higher your deductible, the lower your plan cost will be. 

The price of a travel medical plan is typically more expensive for someone traveling to the United States than someone traveling outside of the USA. This is because the cost of medical care in the United States is expensive. This makes having travel medical protection even more important for non-U.S. residents traveling to the United States. 

Does length of coverage increase cost? 

Quick answer: Yes. Typically with travel medical plans, the length of coverage will vary between five days up to three years, although you cannot purchase a three-year policy up front. The maximum length of coverage for some plans is 364 days, and then you can renew it for up to three years. 

It's fairly easy to figure out which policies are going to cost the most money. If you require travel medical insurance for a longer length of time, you're looking at a more expensive plan — and rightfully so! 

On the other hand, if you only need medical coverage for five days, the cost will be significantly less. Of course, there are other factors that determine cost. For instance, if you plan on participating in any hazardous sports during your trip, you can buy this optional protection to cover specific activities.  

Is it worth it to buy travel medical insurance? 

We think of travel medical insurance as low in cost, high in value. The value of quality travel medical insurance often can’t be measured in dollars and cents, but rather in a feeling of security. We help people every day who have medical emergencies while traveling. If you have coverage, you can rest assured that if you become sick or hurt on your trip, you're covered. So really, it's up to you to determine whether a few dollars a day is worth it.  

Watch how travel insurance helped Makenzie when she had a medical emergency while traveling abroad.

Learn more and get a quote 

Regardless of the type of trip you're taking, it's always a wise decision to take Seven Corners with you during your travels. Learn more about the benefits offered by Seven Corners Travel Medical, click Get A Quote, and customize your plan even further!