Travel medical insurance: how to protect yourself abroad
If you buy one kind of protection for a trip abroad, this is usually the one. It pays for emergency treatment when your cover at home stops at the border.
By the StarHolidays Editorial Team Updated 4 min read
Key takeaways
- Your home health plan may not work abroad, and you may need to pay up front even if it does.
- The CDC recommends considering supplemental cover, especially with health conditions, trips over 6 months or adventure activities.
- Check the limit, deductible, primary or secondary status and exclusions.
- Medical cover generally does not include evacuation unless the policy says so.
On this page
Why you might need it
The CDC's warning is direct: your current medical insurance may not cover care in another country, you'll likely have to pay out of pocket for services abroad, and some national systems don't cover non-citizens. The US State Department also makes clear that the government won't pay your medical bills overseas. Other governments give similar warnings, as our home country guides explain.
The CDC suggests considering supplemental cover especially if you have an existing condition, will be away for more than six months or plan adventure activities such as scuba diving or hang gliding.
What it typically pays for
- Doctor and hospital treatment for a sudden illness or injury
- Surgery, diagnostics and prescribed medication linked to the emergency
- Emergency dental treatment, usually with a low sub-limit
- Ambulance transport, though check this, as the UK government notes ambulances may be charged separately
It's designed for emergencies. Routine checkups, planned procedures, and prescription refills you could have brought with you generally aren't included. Going abroad specifically for treatment isn't covered either, as a rule.
How much cover should you get?
There's no official number outside specific visa rules, so think about where you're going. A broken leg in a low-cost country is very different from surgery in the United States.
| Destination | How to think about the limit |
|---|---|
| United States | Aim high, since bills can be very large |
| Canada, Japan, Western Europe | A solid six-figure limit in USD terms is a common recommendation |
| Southeast Asia, Latin America | Private hospitals can still be expensive, so don't assume cheap |
| Schengen visa applicants | At least €30,000 by law, and that's only the legal minimum |
Many comparison guides suggest at least $100,000. That's an opinion and not a standard, but it's a reasonable place to begin thinking. If you're comparing quotes and a higher limit costs little more, it's usually worth taking.
Terms that change what you get
Primary or secondary. Primary cover pays first. Secondary requires you to claim from your other insurance before it pays. Primary is usually simpler during an emergency.
Deductible. A $250 deductible means you pay the first $250. Check whether this applies per claim, per person or per trip.
Coinsurance. On some plans, especially long-term medical ones, you share a percentage of the bill up to a cap.
Reasonable and customary. Insurers may pay only what's normal for that treatment in that area. It's another reason to involve the assistance team, as they can direct you to suitable hospitals.
What happens in a real emergency
- Get treatment. Don't delay urgent care to make a phone call.
- Call assistance as soon as possible. Someone can call for you. They can help find a suitable hospital and may be able to guarantee payment.
- Don't assume a bill will be paid directly. Smaller bills are often paid by you and reimbursed afterward. Ensure you've got a card with some available credit.
- Keep everything. You'll need the medical report, itemized bills and receipts.
Common exclusions
- Pre-existing conditions not accepted by the policy
- Adventure activities not named in the policy
- Incidents involving alcohol or drugs, depending on wording
- Riding without the right license, or on vehicles the policy excludes
- Normal pregnancy and childbirth
- Treatment that could safely wait until you get home
Medical-only plan or comprehensive?
A medical-only plan works if trip costs are small or refundable and your priority is hospital bills. If you've also prepaid a lot, you may prefer a comprehensive plan that includes cancellation. Either way, make sure it includes medical evacuation, or add it, because treatment and transport are often separate benefits.
Practical steps before you leave
- Ask your own plan what it pays abroad, and get the answer in writing if you can.
- Carry medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription, and check if they're legal at your destination.
- Save your insurer's assistance number in your phone and with a contact at home.
- Note your blood type, allergies and medications somewhere easy to find.
Frequently asked questions
Is travel medical insurance the same as health insurance?
No. Travel medical cover is short-term and focused on emergencies abroad. It usually excludes routine care and ongoing treatment, so it does not replace your usual health cover.
Will travel medical insurance pay the hospital directly?
Sometimes. The assistance team may arrange payment directly for larger bills, but many plans reimburse you later, especially for smaller ones. Always call early and ask.
Does travel medical insurance cover prescriptions?
Usually only those needed because of the covered emergency. Refills for existing conditions are generally not covered, and Smartraveller notes that most insurers will not cover the cost of regular prescriptions.
How much medical coverage is enough?
There is no universal answer. Many guides suggest at least $100,000, and more for the US or remote trips. Any visa rules, like the Schengen €30,000 minimum, are floors rather than recommendations.