International Travel Insurance: Protecting Your Journey

International travel insurance provides travelers with protection against common financial risks that can occur while traveling, such as trip cancellation fees or medical emergencies. With an international travel insurance policy, you can rest easy knowing you have coverage where you need it most.

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Are you planning short-term travel and looking for the best way to stay protected during your journey? Perhaps you’re unsure why an international travel insurance policy is even necessary.

In this article, we will explain why international travel insurance policies are a crucial part of a safe journey. We will also explain how travel insurance works as well as its benefits, and we will also point you to some of the top travel insurance providers.

If you’re looking for a long-term international insurance solution, check out our page on international health insurance instead.

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What is International Travel Insurance?

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International travel insurance is a type of insurance that was created to provide financial protection and assistance to individuals and families traveling abroad. These policies offer a range of benefits designed specifically to help mitigate the risks associated with international travel.

International travel insurance differs from international health insurance, which is a longer-term insurance option for expats and travelers.

International Travel Insurance Key Benefits

Some of the key benefits of international travel insurance are medical coverage, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, and assistance hotlines. With these key features, travelers can enjoy their vacations and trips without worrying about potential accidents.

International Travel Insurance Coverage

International travel insurance protects travelers against medical and travel risks. Emergency medical coverage and evacuation, trip cancellation, baggage delay, and loss coverage are just some of the things covered by an international travel insurance policy.

While policy details vary across plans, most plans fall into two different categories:

Travel Cancellation Insurance: This insurance will reimburse you if you cancel your trip for covered reasons (these differ depending on the policy). This insurance allows you to save your money on what could have been a potentially significant loss.
Travel Medical Insurance: This insurance will cover your expenses for medical emergencies and illnesses during your time abroad. With this coverage, travelers will have access to a global network of providers and healthcare services.

International Travel Insurance Benefits

International travel insurance offers different benefits to protect travelers while they’re abroad, from emergency medical coverage to baggage delay coverage. Benefits and coverage limits will vary across plans and providers.

Here is a list of common international travel insurance benefits below:

Emergency medical coverage
Emergency evacuation and repatriation
Trip cancellation and interruption
Baggage and personal belongings coverage
Travel delay
Legal assistance
Hotline assistance services
Adventure sports coverage
Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)

How Does International Travel Insurance Work?

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Travel insurance works like most insurance policies by covering you for a period of time against financial risks. You can apply for and purchase a policy online, and once your coverage choice is confirmed, you will receive your plan documents with information on how to use your policy.

Once you’ve purchased your policy, you can leave for your journey knowing you are fully protected against any serious losses or accidents. In the event that you need to use your policy, you will file your claim with your insurance, and they will begin the process of reimbursing you.

Top International Travel Insurance Providers

Some of the best international travel insurance providers on the market today are GeoBlue, Allianz, IMG Global, and VUMI. As Pacific Prime is partnered with these insurers, we have free quotes available on their plans.

GeoBlue

GeoBlue has single-trip and multi-trip travel insurance policies available through their Voyager and Trekker plans. With multi-lingual support and medical translation tools, GeoBlue is committed to supporting its members while they’re abroad.

In order to secure a GeoBlue travel insurance policy, applicants must be US citizens or legal residents of the United States. Additionally, GeoBlue travel insurance plans require their applicants to have a domestic health insurance policy.

Here are a list of some of the benefits offered with all of GeoBlue’s travel plans:

24/7/365 Global Service Center
24/7/365 same-day virtual doctor appointments
Multi-lingual support and medical translation tools
Medical evacuation and repatriation coordination
News and safety information for your location

Allianz

Allianz offers single-trip and annual/multi-trip travel insurance policies in a variety of different coverage categories. Benefits and coverage limits vary across policies, with some plans even covering their policyholder’s pre-existing conditions.

Another key benefit of Allianz Travel insurance is their 24-hour Hotline Assistance and concierge services. Members can access help and support through the hotline with their medical emergencies, trip delays, and more.

Allianz’s most popular travel insurance plan, OneTrip Prime, has the following benefits:

Trip cancellation up to $100,000
Trip interruption up to $150,000
Trip change protector up to $500
Emergency medical up to $50,000
Emergency medical transportation up to $500,000
Lost/damaged baggage $1000
Baggage delay $300
Travel delay $800 (daily limit $200)
24-Hour hotline assistance

OneTrip Prime even includes free coverage for children 17 and under when they travel with a parent or grandparent.

IMG Global

IMG Global offers travel medical insurance through their Patriot plans and standard travel insurance through their TravelInsured plans. Members can choose their desired level of coverage through the different categories under these policies.

In addition to these travel insurance policies, IMG Global also offers a policy specifically for seniors called their GlobeHopper plan. They also have a Patriot Exchange Program plan that covers individuals participating in cultural exchange programs.

Some of the benefits included in IMG’s travel insurance policies are:

Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
Baggage and personal effects coverage
Medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
Rental car damage and theft coverage

Vumi

VUMI (VIP Universal Medical Insurance) Group has travel insurance policies available for single trips or all the trips you’ll take within the period of a year. VUMI’s single-trip policies can be extended multiple times for up to 365 days of consecutive coverage.

Some other attractive benefits of VUMI policies are a USD $5,000,000 maximum lifetime benefit up to age 70 and 100% covered hospitalization fees. In addition to their medical coverage, VUMI offers the following benefits with all their policies:

Emergency assistance 24/7
Traveler’s choice of doctors and hospitals worldwide
Comprehensive travel medical coverage for minor injuries to repatriation
Compassionate emergency visit to an insured person
Emergency dental

Cost of International Travel Insurance

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The cost of an international travel insurance plan will depend on various factors like the level of coverage chosen, the age of the travelers, and the cost of the trip. Insuring an expensive vacation with luxury hotels or resorts will cost more than a less-expensive trip.

Your age affects policy price because generally, the older you are, the more you are at risk of health issues. This means it will cost more to insure you. For more information on age and other international travel insurance cost factors, reach out to our insurance experts.

Who Does International Travel Insurance Cover?

International travel insurance plans are designed to cover travelers of every kind, from individuals and families to groups and more. Some policies are even tailored for specific types of travelers, further creating a tailored and customized option for globetrotters.

Individuals and Family International Travel Insurance

Whether you’re traveling alone or with your entire family, there is an international travel insurance policy for you. You can ensure you and your loved ones have the financial protection and assistance needed while traveling or vacationing abroad.

Some plans may even have coverage for your entire family or all your children under a specific age for free. If you’re traveling with your dependents, it’s worth looking into who exactly is covered and making sure they are named specifically on your plan agreement.

Student International Travel Insurance

Students are recommended to have an international travel insurance policy if doing a semester abroad because of the protection it offers them. Students will benefit from the medical coverage and assistance hotlines available with international travel insurance.

Students abroad can face problems that can put them at medical or financial risk. Some of these problems could be illnesses from street foods and unfamiliar traffic laws, which may result in an injury or damage to a rented bike or scooter. With the right policy, students can be protected against these risks.

Group International Travel Insurance

Members of larger organized groups, non-profit organizations, and businesses can benefit from the protection of international travel insurance policies. Group insurance policies are a great option for those who qualify due to their lowered group rates.

Senior International Travel Insurance

Travelers 65 years and older can apply for senior international travel insurance policies, which provide them with tailored benefits that will work for their lifestyles. These plans include higher medical coverage, making sure that senior travelers aren’t left stranded without the help they need.

Factors to Consider when Selecting a Policy

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Some factors to consider when choosing your international travel insurance policy are potential exclusions and your desired coverage level. Considering these factors before you choose a policy is a process that is well worth the effort.

Potential Exclusions

Keep in mind the things that could potentially exclude you from an international travel insurance policy, such as high-risk activities like skydiving, mountain trekking, scuba diving, or riding a motorcycle. Other potential exclusions could be coverage for terrorist attacks or natural disasters.

If you’re planning on taking part in high-risk activities or adventure sports, make sure that your chosen policy has the additional coverage necessary for those activities. Otherwise, you will be financially liable for any injuries that happen during those activities.

Coverage and Benefits

Understanding what you need to be covered while abroad, whether it is medical emergencies or just trip cancellations, will help you narrow down your list of policy options. If you’re going to travel to a place with high risks of illnesses or accidents, you’ll want a more comprehensive policy.

If you’ve already spent a great deal of money on booking the flights and lodging for your vacation, you will want to ensure you are covered in case you have to cancel. With trip cancellation insurance, you can ensure that you are reimbursed for your losses.

Additionally, if you are going to be traveling with important personal items, you will likely want to have coverage for lost or stolen baggage. International travel insurance policies can offer coverage for lost, stolen, damaged, and delayed baggage.

Travel Insurance and Pre-Existing Conditions

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Depending on your provider and plan, pre-existing conditions may be covered by your policy. This coverage of the pre-existing condition is often available as an optional rider that can be added to the plan, which will be an extra fee.

VUMI, IMG, and GeoBlue all offer international travel insurance plans with pre-existing condition coverage. For more information on these plans, contact one of our insurance experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my US health insurance policy cover me abroad?

Generally, most domestic US health insurance policies do not cover medical care abroad. International health insurance policies are the only policies that will cover you globally, whereas domestic health insurance policies will only cover you within a certain singular country or region.

Is international travel insurance worth it?

International travel insurance is well worth the investment as it protects you from some significantly high financial losses. If you are faced with a medical emergency while traveling abroad and don’t have travel insurance, you will have to pay 100% of the medical fees.

What is covered by an international travel insurance policy?

Benefits vary by policy, but generally, an international travel insurance policy covers travel benefits like trip cancellation and medical emergency fees. Some other benefits are baggage loss and delay coverage and medical evacuation and repatriation benefits.

How many days before my trip should I buy international travel insurance?

How many days before your departure you need to buy your plan will depend on your specific policy. Some plans will need to be purchased two weeks before you leave for your travel insurance to be valid, while some plans will need less time.

Do I need travel insurance if my credit card has travel benefits?

International travel insurance policies have more comprehensive benefits and higher coverage limits than most travel coverage offered through credit cards. If you are looking for more protection while you are abroad, an international travel insurance plan will be your best choice.

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Conclusion

International travel insurance can provide you with the peace of mind and financial protection you need while you journey abroad. With comprehensive coverage and concierge service options, an international travel insurance policy is a worthwhile investment for travelers.

You can click here for a free quote from the top travel insurance companies, or you can contact one of our insurance brokers directly. We can give you free and unbiased advice on a multitude of policies. We are committed to helping clients find the right fit for their budget and lifestyle.

With over 20 years of experience in providing insurance solutions to expats and travelers across the globe, Pacific Prime is an expert in all things insurance. Reach out to us today to begin planning your next adventure abroad!

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Serena Fung

Head of Content at Pacific Prime

Serena Fung is the Head of Content at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 6+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.