Travel insurance and Short Term Health Insurance for Expats

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.

Travel insurance vs short term health insurance

It is important to be insured with either a travel insurance plan or a short term health insurance plan before you go on your trip. But travel insurance and short term health insurance aren’t the same thing. Which one should you buy before starting your journey? Read on to find out more.

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:

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.

Emergency medical cover

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

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

Is travel insurance actually worth it? What are the pros and cons?

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:

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.

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.

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.

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:

Preventive care

Doctor visits

Emergency care

Prescription of medication

What are the pros and cons of short term health insurance?

While short term health insurance offers better health coverage than travel insurance, it is important for you to know both the pros and cons before choosing a short term plan. Below is a non-exhaustive list of pros and cons of short term health insurance plans:

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 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.

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.

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.

Check out our video illustrating the health insurance options for traveling below.

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.

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