Travel insurance coverage for US travelers traveling outside the USA

What do you look for in travel insurance when traveling outside the USA?

It is interesting to me as an agent what different travelers value and expect from their international health insurance. We have recently seen a growing number of US citizens and residents requesting coverage for their trips outside the US.

There are specific plans (usually at a better price when compared to plans for coverage within the US) available for this travel outside the US and they allow a generous amount for emergency medical evacuation which is often a concern for US travelers (I know it was for me on my trip this past summer).

With the coronavirus pandemic US travelers are keen on choosing Cancel for any reason cover .This an additional rider that needs to be purchased to get maximum percentage of the cost of the trip covered. This cover offers protection for up to 75% of the expenses for a future trip. CFAR provides coverage for any reason that may not be mentioned in the policy otherwise

First, let me define my terms. Emergency Medical Evacuation is one of three situations:

1. Moving a person from the site of an accident (for example) to the closest hospital. This could be accomplished most likely by an ambulance.
2. Moving a patient from one health care facility to a different one. For example, if the hospital where you are does not offer an ICU for newborns and this is what is required, they may airlift (usually via helicopter) to the closest hospital with the appropriate facility.
3. Same as #2, but travel may take you across country borders as needed since the “closest” may be across a border.

Note that the emergency medical evacuation, particularly in cases #2 and #3 (above) need to be arranged by the insurance company. So be sure that you are in contact with them. This can be very helpful in several ways: Firstly, you will know that they are going to pay for what can be very expensive, and secondly, they have experience and knowledge in this area and can be sure you have the best care and transport they can arrange for you (be it by plane, boat, or other conveyance).

For purposes of comparing outbound plans, I am going to review the coverage for emergency medical evacuation that we have available from our many companies. I will list them from most flexible and then from highest coverage to lowest. Please note that the cost of premiums are not necessarily listed from highest to lowest.

The most generous coverage for emergency medical evacuation is offered by International Medical Group (IMG) because they allow a rider on their plans (for an additional charge) which will allow you to include non-life threatening coverage as well as natural disaster evacuation. The best coverage is in their Patriot Platinum International plan. The coverage for emergency medical evacuation (without the rider) is up to the maximum of the plan (which can be from $1 million to $8 million).

The Evacuation Plus Rider (available up to age 65) adds coverage up to $50,000 for non-life threatening medical evacuation and $10,000 for natural disaster evacuation. The other IMG plan (Patriot International Lite) offer up to the maximum limit for emergency medical evacuation on the basic plans.

The Evacuation Plus Riders to these plans add $25,000 for non-life threatening evacuation and $5,000 for natural disaster evacuation (this rider can only be purchased for individuals under 65 years old and only on individual policies).

The fixed benefit plan by IMG has more modest coverage. Visitor's Care only offers up to $50,000 for emergency medical evacuation for plans B and C or $25,000 for plan A. No rider is available for this plan.

The next best coverage is offered by Trawick International which covers up to $2 million for emergency medical evacuation. No additional rider or coverage is available. This coverage is available on their Safe Travels International Cost Saver plan and the Safe Travels International plan.