FAQ: International Travel and Medical Insurance
Traveling is fun. But it’s serious fun that requires planning. Here, we tackle common questions about international travel and medical insurance.
Researching international travel and medical insurance can result in questions – and plenty of good ones. We answer some of the most common inquiries here. Still need answers? Please contact us. We’re delighted to help.
Top questions about international travel and medical insurance
Are acts of war and terrorism covered under travel insurance policies?
Are natural disasters covered under travel insurance policies?
Who can benefit from international travel and medical insurance?
Are pre-existing conditions covered under travel and medical insurance?
What authoritative sources are available to advise me about current risks of international travel?
What is an international insurance broker?
A broker shops the complex insurance market on your behalf to find the best price and coverage based on your goals. The broker is not the insurer, but works with the insurers to find a policy that best fits the customer. As a broker, MP Global is not limited to any particular insurers and can boldly shop the market on your behalf. We’re beholden to no one but you.
What is emergency medical coverage?
Emergency medical coverage offers reimbursement for the cost of unexpected medical treatment while traveling.
Are emergency medical evacuations covered?
In the event of a true emergency, medical evacuation coverage is available as a part of:
Comprehensive travel plans
Group travel/medical plans
Standalone travel plans
Evacuation coverage pays for transportation to an appropriate health care facility in the event of an illness or injury when adequate local care is not available.
Does travel insurance cover acts of war and terrorism?
Generally, travel insurance reimburses lost travel costs related to terrorism or a hijacking, but not war or civil unrest. Terrorism, for the purposes of most U.S. travel insurance policies (although as always, be sure to read the definition in your policy) refers to violence perpetuated by a person acting on behalf of, or in connection with, any organization classified as a Foreign Terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of State. However, some policies may be upgraded to cover trip cancellation in the event of rioting or civil disorder.
Are natural disasters covered?
Travel and medical insurance cover eligible expenses related to natural disasters. Depending on the policy, covered expenses can include:
Medical expenses related to the disaster
Trip cancellation if the destination is no longer habitable
Overall lost costs of the trip
Contact us for details and to make sure you get the coverage that’s best for your personal circumstances.
Who could benefit from international travel and medical insurance?
The better question is, “Who wouldn’t benefit?” People and organizations that can gain from coverage include:
Business travelers
Tourists
International mission trip teams
International volunteers/aid workers
Relatives visiting international family
Government representatives
Academic researchers/instructors
Religious workers
Medical personnel
And more
What trip cancellation coverage is available?
Trip cancellation coverage is provided in all comprehensive travel policies. This covers the cancellation of a trip because of specific, unforeseen causes delineated in your policy.
Usually, travel cancellation insurance (and cruise insurance) covers reasons including:
The unexpected death, illness, or injury of the traveler and/or a traveling companion that renders either unfit to travel by order of a licensed physician.
The hospitalization or death of a non-traveling family member.
Unforeseen natural disasters at home or the destination.
A legal obligation, such as being called for jury duty or to appear as a witness in court.
If you need to cancel, you will be reimbursed 100% of the prepaid, non-refundable trip costs for which you are insured and can provide documentation.
Next level benefit: Cancel For Any Reason
Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR for short) Waivers increase the cost of trip cancellation insurance but expand the threshold of coverage. Requirements for CFAR include:
Reimbursements are only available within 10-21 days of initial trip payment (specific details depend on the individual policy).
The policy holder must insure 100% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.
Cancellation with the travel vendor must occur between 48 and 72 hours of the departure date (details vary depending on the individual policy).
Benefits may only cover 50%-75% of costs (depending on the policy).
The liberating element of CFAR is that you can cancel your trip for any reason. For example, travelers headed to parts of the world with civil or political unrest may want to purchase CFAR. This allows them to cancel if the region appears too unstable for comfort. However, any reason is sufficient as long as guidelines for cancellation are followed.
Questions about COVID-19 and travel and medical insurance
How do pre-existing conditions affect my international medical coverage?
Does international travel or medical insurance cover COVID-19?
Are “shelter in place” orders or “stay at home” orders considered to be a quarantine?
My destination has issued a mandatory self-quarantine. Is this considered to be a quarantine?
What expenses can be reimbursed if I need to quarantine during a trip?
How do pre-existing conditions affect my international medical insurance?
Pre-existing condition is an often-misunderstood term that frequently confuses travelers and can lead to an unsuccessful claim. In plain language, a pre-existing condition is any change in your health that has been documented in your health record by a medical professional. This includes:
Treatments.
Diagnostic tests.
Examinations.
Medical recommendations for tests or examinations.
A change in prescribed medication.
In general, most travel insurance companies will consider you to have a pre-existing condition if you have a diagnosed illness or medical concern that has not been “stable” within a defined period. “Stable” means:
A condition that has not changed or worsened.
There have been no new diagnoses or treatments of any kind.
There are no pending or intimated treatments, scans, or test results.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, or think you might, contact us early on to see how or if this might impact your international medical coverage.
Another option is to purchase a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver. Either way, take the time to confirm that any condition you have will be covered.
We understand these options can sometimes be confusing, so please contact us to learn more. We don’t want you to have any surprises (except for winning the lottery).
Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?
On Jan. 21, 2020, COVID-19 became an officially acknowledged international medical risk. This affected travel insurance coverage for policies purchased after that date. Comprehensive policies issued afterward include COVID-19 related benefits (exceptions may apply when traveling to a country with a Travel Health Notice issued by the CDC). The following benefits may apply:
Emergency medical coverage applies when a sick traveler must see a doctor and/or go to the hospital during a trip.
Emergency medical evacuation coverage applies in rare caseswhen a sick traveler requires an emergency medical evacuation to the nearest appropriate hospital or a return to the United States.
Trip interruption coverage applies when a seriously ill traveler cannot continue with a trip and must return home.
Cancel for Any Reason coverage offers travelers the most flexibility and is the only option available to cover a cancellation because someone is afraid to travel. This benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.
Are COVID-19 home tests treated the same as other COVID-19 tests for my travelling companion and myself?
In terms of coverage, home tests are treated the same as other COVID-19 tests. In many cases, a physician is present remotely via a telehealth servuce when a home test is taken. Therefore, this would be considered the same as a test administered by a qualified physician (as defined by your plan). If the test allows the physician to determine that you and/or a traveling companion has COVID-19, your cancellation claim may be payable if your coverage specifies it.
The physician would need to confirm the person is sick and unable to take the trip or continue the trip or that the traveler is required to quarantine. (All additional terms and conditions of the particular coverage would need to be satisfied as well.)
If a home test does not involve a physician, the traveler would need a physician to confirm the diagnosis, evaluate the need for quarantine and determine whether it’s possible to continue the trip.
Are Quarantines covered?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many plans now offer COVID-19 coverage as an option. If you select a plan with this coverage and quarantine protection benefits, your travel insurance policy will cover quarantine.
Federal regulations require those who travel abroad to be tested for COVID-19 prior to re-entry into the United States. Does travel or medical insurance cover this?
No. Accident and sickness medical expense coverage can only reimburse specifically defined medical expenses, typically referred to in policies as “Covered Expenses” or “Medical Expenses.” The cost of administering a test for any disease, including COVID-19, can only be covered if a qualified physician (as defined by your plan) orders you to be tested. In this instance, the test is being ordered by the U.S. government rather than a physician. Conversely, if a physician orders you to be tested for COVID-19 or any other disease while on your trip, this could potentially be covered under your plan’s accident and sickness medical expense coverage.
Are shelter-in-place orders or stay-at-home orders considered to be quarantine? They are not quarantine in terms of coverage provided by international medical and travel insurance. However, if a government or physician orders you to remain in your home or lodging, this can be considered a quarantine if the order to shelter in place is mandatory and applies 24 hours per day, seven days a week throughout its duration. If the order is merely a recommendation, it is not considered to be quarantine. In addition, if there are exceptions permitting you to leave your home or lodging to obtain necessary provisions, this is not considered to be a quarantine because it is not a strict medical isolation.
If my destination has issued a mandatory self-quarantine, is this considered quarantine in terms of travel insurance?
This will depend upon the restrictions imposed by the order. If a government or physician orders you to remain in your lodging, this can be considered a quarantine if the order is mandatory and applies 24 hours per day, seven days a week throughout its duration. If the order is only a recommendation or if you are permitted to leave your lodging to obtain necessary provisions, this is not considered to be a quarantine because it’s not a strict medical isolation.
What expenses can be reimbursed if I need to quarantine during a trip?
The answer varies depending on the plan you purchased. However, here are some key points:
Trip Interruption coverage reimburses certain unused, non-refundable travel arrangements. This coverage cannot reimburse any additional expenses incurred solely due to a quarantine except for your additional transportation costs (as defined in your plan). Also, if you quarantine in your prepaid hotel accommodations, you will not receive any reimbursement under trip Interruption coverage (or any other coverage in the plan).
If you incur additional lodging or meal expenses solely due to a quarantine, you will not receive any reimbursement under the trip Interruption coverage. However, travel delay and missed connection coverages may reimburse additional meal and hotel expenses incurred due to quarantine-induced delays.
What if a physician advises a travel companion or me not to travel due to vulnerability of contracting COVID-19? Will trip cancellation benefits be payable?
A cancellation due to fear of contracting COVID-19, even if reasonable and supported by a physician’s note, would not be covered unless you purchased Cancel For Any Reason coverage
What trip cancellation coverage is provided?
Trip cancellation coverage is provided in all comprehensive travel policies. This covers the cancellation of a trip because of specific, unforeseen causes delineated in your policy.
Usually, travel cancellation insurance (and cruise insurance) covers reasons including:
The unexpected death, illness, or injury of the traveler and/or a traveling companion that renders either unfit to travel by order of a licensed physician.
The hospitalization or death of a non-traveling family member.
Unforeseen natural disasters at home or the destination.
A legal obligation, such as being called for jury duty or to appear as a witness in court.
If you need to cancel, you will be reimbursed 100% of the prepaid, non-refundable trip costs for which you are insured and can provide documentation.
Next level benefit: Cancel For Any Reason
Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR for short) Waivers increase the cost of trip cancellation insurance but expand the threshold of coverage. Requirements for CFAR include:
Reimbursements are only available within 10-21 days of initial trip payment (specific details depend on the individual policy).
The policy holder must insure 100% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.
Cancellation with the travel vendor must occur between 48 and 72 hours of the departure date (details vary depending on the individual policy).
Benefits may only cover 50%-75% of costs (depending on the policy).
The liberating element of CFAR is that you can cancel your trip for any reason.
For example, travelers headed to parts of the world with civil or political unrest may purchase CFAR. This allows them to cancel if the region appears too unstable for comfort. However, any reason is sufficient as long as guidelines for cancellation are followed.
