The Role of Travel Medical Insurance in Managing Travel Risks

Should something arise on a trip abroad that requires medical treatment, medical costs could become exorbitantly costly. Travel health insurance at https://auras.insure/ provides an important safety net that may reduce these unexpected expenses.

As with other insurance policies, travel medical plans come with both deductibles and coverage limits that must be satisfied before purchasing them. The cost will depend on factors like age and length of trip.

1. Medical Evacuation
If you become sick or injured during your travels and the local hospital does not have adequate facilities to treat you, medical evacuation coverage will get you to a more suitable facility - usually by air transportation - which is known as emergency medical evacuation (medevac).

Travel insurance policies often cover this expense, which can run into the thousands. They also typically pay hotel costs and meals for your bedside companion while you're hospitalized, as well as providing repatriation benefits if you die while away from home.

Independent travel insurance plans also provide emergency medevac coverage, though this coverage tends to be less extensive than what is provided by medical transport membership organizations such as Medjet.

2. Lost or Stolen Luggage
Air travel has been particularly stressful this summer. According to Department of Transportation data, 220,000 bags were "mishandled," meaning lost, damaged, delayed or stolen by airlines and received compensation; while many travelers find the thresholds inadequate in covering high-value items. Travel medical insurance with baggage coverage may provide necessary compensation.

Experts advise travelers to place identification and destination details inside their luggage, use brightly-colored ribbons or stickers, and keep an eye out for their luggage on carousels. When checking bags due to tight connections or convenience, leaving plenty of time between layovers may reduce risk of mishandled luggage mishaps; comprehensive travel medical insurance plans, credit cards, homeowners or renter's policies often offer some form of baggage coverage as well.