Travel Insurance and Short Term Health Insurance Plans

Travel and Short Term Health Insurance for Global Travelers

If you are planning on making a short trip abroad, whether it’s for leisure or business, be sure to acquire the right travel insurance or short term health insurance plan.

Even with all the preparation in the world, you can never rule out sudden mishaps or losses. Indeed, there will be times when a concrete plan can easily crumble due to sudden ill health, or the loss of personal luggage that could significantly delay your trip. This is why having a comprehensive travel insurance plan or short term insurance plan can prove invaluable during your trip.

Recommended Travel Insurance Plans for Expatriates

Table of Contents

• Travel and Short Term Health Insurance for Global Travelers
• Travel insurance VS Short Term Health Insurance
• What Is Travel Insurance?
• What Is Short Term Health Insurance?
• Our Recommended Travel Insurance and Short Term Health Insurance Plans
• Travel Insurance Includes Medical Coverage Benefits
• Are Travel Insurance and Short Term Health Insurance Worth It? What Are The Pros and Cons of Each?
• Comparing Travel Insurance And Short Term Health Insurance Providers
• How Much Does Short Term Health Insurance Cost?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Contact Us

Travel Insurance VS Short Term Health Insurance

It is important to be insured with a travel insurance plan or a short term health insurance plan before you go on your trip. To clarify, travel insurance and short term health insurance are the same thing. Read on to find out more before starting your journey.

What Is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is a plan that protects you from certain financial risks and losses that can occur while traveling. In other words, it offers financial protection from the potential pitfalls of traveling.

Standard travel insurance plans typically cover the following:

Emergency Medical Cover

This benefit reimburses the costs of emergency medical care and treatment (up to the limits stated in your plan).

Emergency Repatriation

The benefit covers the costs of transporting you back to your home country if you fall seriously ill, get injured, or pass away while traveling.

Trip Cancellation

The benefit reimburses your trip cost if you need to cancel the trip for a covered reason.

Delayed Departure

The benefit covers departure delay to your transport i.e. flight, ferry, cruise ship, or another mode of transport being delayed, through no fault of your own, beyond your scheduled departure time.

Personal Belongings and Lost Luggage

The benefit covers baggage or personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged while on your trip.

Travel Documents

The benefit helps to cover the cost of replacing your lost or damaged travel documents like passports, ID cards, etc.

Personal Liability

The benefit covers third-party insurance claims that have been filed against you.

 

What Is Short Term Health Insurance?

Short term health insurance is designed for travelers that demand greater health protection than what is offered by travel insurance plans. They are different to travel insurance plans in that they are health focused and do not cover financial risks and pitfalls like trip cancellation, delayed departure, etc.

Short term health insurance coverage varies greatly depending on the plan and the respected insurance carrier. Coverage typically includes:

Doctor’s Visits

Doctor's visits under short term health insurance typically cover the cost of seeing a healthcare provider for routine or minor medical issues, like cold or flu symptoms, infections, or minor injuries. Depending on the plan, some may also offer limited coverage for diagnostic tests or lab work associated with these visits.

The goal is to provide immediate, essential care for short-term medical needs, offering flexibility when longer-term coverage isn’t required.

Emergency Care

Emergency care under short-term health insurance generally includes coverage for unexpected medical situations like accidents, injuries, or sudden illnesses that require immediate attention. This could involve visits to the emergency room, ambulance services, or urgent care centers.

The coverage is designed to ensure that you can get prompt, essential treatment during emergencies, such as for broken bones, severe allergic reactions, or acute illnesses, providing peace of mind when urgent medical care is needed.

Travel Insurance Includes Medical Coverage Benefits

Although travel insurance and short term health insurance are not the same, travel insurance does cover a number of medical coverage benefits. An international travel insurance plan from global insurance company Bupa offers a number of benefits under their Bupa Global brand.

These include:

• No overall limit on the majority of eligible medical expenses
• Medical emergencies for many adventure sports and activities, such as cycling and winter sports
• No deductible or co-payment on medical expenses

Are Travel Insurance and Short Term Health Insurance Worth It? What Are The Pros and Cons of Each?

The answer really depends on the purpose of your trip and the type of coverage you require. To help you, Pacific Prime has compiled some pros and cons to note when considering travel insurance and short term health insurance.

Pros of Travel Insurance

• Sense of Security
  By simply having coverage, you can rest easy knowing that if things go pear-shaped, your travel insurance is likely to cover you.
• Saving Money
  If you happen to fall ill, your travel insurance policy can help cover the cost of medical fees and save you from making out-of-pocket payments. On top of medical coverage, you can also rest assured that any costs that occur, like lost luggage or late flight departure, are covered.

Pros of Short Term Health Insurance

• Better Coverage
  This type of health insurance is designed to fill the short gaps in coverage, but also offer higher coverage than what travel insurance can offer.
• Up to 1 Year of Coverage
  This means you can choose coverage for between 1 month up to 1 year.

Cons of Travel Insurance

• Pre-Existing Conditions May Not Be Covered
  Travel insurance policies may exclude some chronic or pre-existing conditions. This means if you succumb to an existing health problem, you will have to pay for any medical fees after treatment for the condition.
• Cost
  Medical bills can escalate quickly and, depending on your plan, the limit for health coverage may not be enough to offset the whole cost.

Cons of Short Term Health Insurance

• Pre-Existing Conditions Are Excluded
  Virtually all plans provide no coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• Higher Deductible
  There may be significantly higher deductibles than traditional, more comprehensive health plans.
• Not Renewable
  Short-term health insurance is not renewable, which leaves you uncovered if your stay extends beyond the policy period. For longer coverage needs, international health insurance offers renewable plans that keep you protected year-round.

  Speaking to an expert at Pacific Prime will help you in choosing the type of travel insurance plan, but what if your main motivation is having substantial health cover when abroad? This is where short term health insurance comes in.

 

Comparing Travel Insurance And Short Term Health Insurance Providers

When comparing travel insurance and short-term health insurance providers, it's essential to focus on the benefits rather than just the coverage amounts, which can vary. Key benefits include flexible coverage durations, such as plans available from 1 to 12 months that can be extended for an additional 1 to 6 months, providing tailored protection based on your travel or temporary stay needs.

Below are some of the leading short-term health insurance plans available, each offering unique benefits tailored to your temporary coverage needs:

April

April International provides travel and short-term international health insurance for individuals and families abroad. Their flexible plans offer coverage for 1-12 months in multiple currencies, with options for pre-existing conditions and access to private medical facilities worldwide.

GeoBlue

Geoblue offers travel insurance for US citizens and residents, providing comprehensive medical coverage and non-medical benefits for single and multi-trip plans. Their policies require a domestic health insurance policy and offer 24/7 global services, including virtual doctor appointments, medical evacuation, and multilingual support.

VUMI

VIP Universal Medical Insurance Group (VUMI) offers comprehensive travel insurance for both single trips and annual coverage. Their plans provide extensive medical benefits, including a $5 million lifetime maximum benefit, coverage for stable pre-existing conditions, and 100% coverage for hospitalization, outpatient visits, and prescriptions.

IMG

IMG Global offers the choice of travel medical insurance plans or travel insurance plans, with the main difference between the two plans being the coverage of medical benefits. Those looking to travel short-term with a more comprehensive medical plan can choose travel medical insurance.

MSH

MSH International's Start'Expat plan offers short-term travel insurance with comprehensive coverage for healthcare, emergency assistance, and travel-related risks. This plan, designed for expatriates, provides medical coverage up to $270,900 annually, with benefit limits varying based on whether the U.S. is included in the coverage zone

How Much Does Short Term Health Insurance Cost?

If you are considering short term health insurance, typical upfront costs include:

• Premium: This is the monthly fee you pay for coverage.
• Deductible: This is the amount you pay for covered healthcare services before your insurance plan starts to pay.
• Coinsurance: This is the percentage of costs you share with your plan after you meet your deductible.
• Copay: This is a fee you may have to pay out of pocket when you visit a doctor or healthcare service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Invalidates Travel Insurance?

Your travel insurance might become invalidated if you: Fail to declare any underlying medical conditions or medications (including over-the-counter medicines) that you take. Sustain accidents or injuries whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

What Type of Risk Is Covered by Short Term Insurance?

You can take out short term insurance to cover your belongings such as a house, a car or a cell phone or for a health or disability event. It can also cover you for legal liability to others – for example, accidentally injuring someone with your car. This is paid upfront for the month ahead.

Travel Insurance or Short Term Health Insurance - Which Option Is Right for Me?

If you take trips abroad for no longer than a few weeks at a time, stick with a temporary travel insurance plan. It will provide all the coverage you need to access emergency healthcare services, with the added bonus of protection against financial risks and losses.

However, if you are spending 1 to 12 months abroad, then securing short term health insurance is encouraged in case you require more comprehensive medical coverage during your stay.

Still unsure as to whether you need travel insurance or short term health insurance? Contact our team of professional advisors to find out more!

What Is The Best Short Term Health Insurance Option for Traveling?

The best short term health insurance policy is one that offers a number of benefits for travelers spending between 1-12 months abroad. The policies are generally flexible and customizable, giving you more control over what you want to be included in the plan.

How do I find the best travel insurance plan?

Look no further than Pacific Prime for the best travel insurance plan. With over 20 years of experience, our insurance experts are second to none when finding the most cost-effective travel insurance or short term health insurance plan. Click below for a free quote and to have an advisor get in touch with you today.

Contact us

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