Does Travel Insurance Cover Medical Expenses?

Travel medical insurance must often be purchased separately from trip cancellation, interruption insurance policies.

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Updated · 3 min read
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Written by Alisha McDarris

If you have a big trip planned in the U.S. or abroad, chances are you’ve considered travel insurance. However, many find the concept a bit confusing. For example, does travel insurance cover medical expenses? If so, how does it work? Is there a difference between the insurance offered with your travel credit card versus a policy that’s purchased separately?

We’ll break it down for you so you can travel with less worry.

What types of travel insurance are available?

Travel insurance policies vary widely depending on your age, destination, trip length and the type of coverage needed. And whether travel insurance is worth the cost can vary greatly depending on your situation.

Nevertheless, it is critical not to get mixed up between trip cancellation and travel medical insurance as they don’t offer the same benefits and protections. Generally, these two coverage types fall under the “travel insurance” umbrella.

  • Trip cancellation insurance protects you financially if the trip is canceled due to an extraordinary circumstance.

  • Travel medical insurance is a stand-alone policy that protects you financially in the case of illness or injury during your trip by providing reimbursement for emergency medical expenses, including medical evacuations.

Trip cancellation insurance is widely available — some airlines even offer you the option to purchase coverage during booking. Travel medical insurance can be purchased as a stand-alone policy.

What does travel insurance generally cover?

Travel insurance typically covers a range of situations and scenarios related to your financial investment in the trip itself. This can include flight cancellation, lost or delayed luggage, and even theft or damage.

But maybe, more importantly, it may also cover medical expenses abroad. So, for example, if you need emergency medical or dental care while traveling or an emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital or back home, travel insurance can cover the costs.

The types of medical expenses usually covered are:

  • Hospitalization.

  • Outpatient services for medical emergencies.

  • Prescribed medicines.

  • X-rays and laboratory tests.

  • Transportation home if deemed medically necessary.

Expenses usually not covered include:

  • Drug or alcohol-related incidents.

  • Injuries sustained from reckless behavior.

  • Non-emergency procedures.

  • Pregnancy-related expenses.

  • Psychological disorders.

Some plans also won’t cover accidents that happen while participating in adventure activities or expenses connected to pre-existing conditions, so if either of those applies to you, look for a plan that does include them. Also, check to see if your current health insurance covers medical expenses while traveling and, if so, what’s included.

Does travel insurance cover COVID?

Typically, you won’t be covered for medical claims made when traveling to known high-risk regions. This includes locations that involve travel advisories and foreseeable or expected events, like epidemics. But some travel insurance providers have expanded their offerings to include epidemic-related coverage.

Suppose your plan does include this type of coverage. In that case, it will likely provide emergency medical care if you get COVID-19 while traveling, plus trip cancellation and interruption coverage if you or a travel companion gets sick before or during travel.

Just make sure to verify whether your coverage includes disease outbreaks at your intended destinations and what restrictions, if any, are relevant.

The one travel credit card with travel medical insurance

Certain travel credit cards offer travel insurance to cardholders (provided you pay for all travel expenses with that credit card). The actual coverage will vary from card to card. Still, it can include compensation for trip delay, lost luggage, rental car coverage and even travel accident coverage (in the case of death and dismemberment while traveling). However, most cards don’t specifically offer assistance with medical travel expenses or medical coverage, except:

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Of the different travel credit cards with travel insurance protections, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® may offer the most comprehensive coverage, as it includes medical costs and emergency evacuation while traveling internationally. The card covers both emergency medical and dental expenses up to $2,500 (with a $50 deductible).

What’s more, if your doctor deems it necessary for you to rest and recover for a few days before traveling home, you may be eligible for an additional $75 a day to be used for hotel expenses for up to five days.

How travel insurance claims work

Understanding how travel insurance claims work can be tricky since different providers may use different systems. In most cases, you’ll pay for medical expenses out of pocket, then file a claim afterward. There is usually a window of time you have to file a claim, from either the date of care received or the date of your return. Check the benefits associated with your card for timelines and specific instructions, which can vary.

For example, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you have 90 days from the time you received medical care to contact your card’s benefit administrator. They will ask you to answer some questions, fill out some paperwork and send in receipts within 180 days of the medical care you received. If the care is covered, you’ll be reimbursed for up to the maximum coverage allowance.

What costs should I expect?

Naturally, insurance for travel medical expenses isn’t free, but it’s also not usually prohibitively expensive. Some policies only cost a few dollars a day, while others may cost more for older travelers or more extensive benefits. You can use a site such as SquareMouth to compare the costs from different insurance providers.

Travel medical insurance doesn’t work like most traditional medical insurance, where you visit the doctor, maybe pay a deductible and then the remainder after the claim is filed. Instead, with travel insurance, you typically file a claim after you’ve paid the entire expense out of pocket. Then, if the claim is approved, you’ll be reimbursed. That said, in some emergency circumstances with certain providers, your expenses might be covered upfront.

Be sure to read the terms and conditions of your coverage carefully, so you know what is covered, what is required when paying medical fees, how to file a claim and provide receipts.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Pick a plan with 24/7 assistance. If a medical crisis does happen, you can reach out with questions at any time.

Does travel insurance cover medical costs?

And can you claim medical travel expenses you incur abroad? In short, yes — as long you’ve purchased travel medical insurance instead of only trip protection or cancellation insurance. But no matter what type of travel insurance you buy, make sure to read through all the details and keep the company’s support number handy. Then travel with confidence, knowing you’re covered.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

Cards for Travel Insurance from our Partners
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-10x

Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Points
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000 Points + $300 Travel Credit

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

on Chase's website

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
4.2
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-2x

Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

50,000

Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Points
See more cards
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