Just as no two trips are exactly alike, each visitors insurance plan and use is unique in its own way. And while visitors health insurance is useful in certain circumstances, it's important to recognize that, like any other insurance plan, visitors insurance plans have payout limits and exclusions. Those specific limits and exclusions are listed in the policy's description of coverage document. It's critical that every traveler review the exclusions of their policy to understand what will and will not be covered and why.
The 5 Most Common Visitors Insurance Exclusions
- Medical treatment due to a pre-existing medical condition. This means that you won't have coverage for medical expenses that result from pre-existing conditions.
- Any losses due to civil unrest, self-inflicted injury, terrorism, alcohol and drugs, and more.
- Risky activities such as skiing, snowboarding, parasailing, hang-gliding and more.
- Expensive items like jewelry, cameras, electronics, clothing, and more.
These are just the standard exclusions. Exclusions may vary depending on your specific visitors insurance plan.
For a detailed list of what may not be covered, see visitors insurance exclusions.
Be Sure to Compare Visitors Insurance Plans
Some exclusions can be waived by purchasing your plan early or buying an optional rider to enhance your plan. In some cases, this is how you can get coverage for medical care even though you have a pre-existing medical condition.
Most international visitors insurance plans allow for an evacuation even when the insured traveler is experiencing the acute onset of a pre-existing medical condition, but the plan may limit the expenses. For example, you may have purchased a plan with $300,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage but it covers only $25,000 if the evacuation is necessary due to acute onset of pre-existing condition.
It's important to understand and work through these details at the time of purchase.
Take a look at some plans to compare.
Pay Attention to the Medical Evacuation Coverage Maximum
Emergency medical evacuation coverage coordinates and pays for a medically equipped helicopter or jet to carry the insured traveler to the nearest medical facility that can treat their eligible medical condition. Once the traveler is stable and it is safe to travel, medical evacuation coverage can also transport the traveler back home. All the costs are covered by the visitors insurance provider as long as the traveler purchased a plan with a high enough limit and the condition was an eligible one.
Most experts recommend having at least $50,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage. This amount is ideal if you are a U.S. citizen visiting Mexico or a Canadian citizen in the U.S., for example, because the distance is not great. If you are traveling far from your home country, then a limit of $200,000 is encouraged. A traveler who has to be evacuated from New York City back to Hong Kong, for example, could expect to pay up to $180,000 for their medical evacuation, depending on their condition and the medical services provided.
All Arrangements Made by Insurance Providers
The traveler cannot arrange for their own evacuation and get reimbursement - all services must be coordinated by the insurance company. When an insured traveler is injured or falls ill, the insurance company must be contacted immediately. Not only are they experienced at this type of coordination, they also have air rescue and emergency medical teams on hand to quickly help the traveler.
To view and compare plans visit VisitorsCoverage.