What Does Travel Insurance Cover During Medical Emergencies Abroad?

What Medical Expenses are Covered by Travel Insurance?

When accidents, illnesses, and injuries occur abroad, a variety of costs will arise, ranging from a few thousands to lakhs of rupees. These expenses can include ambulance services and hospital bills. Let's review what emergency medical expenses are covered by travel insurance.

1. Ambulance Charges

   Most policies cover the expenses of booking an ambulance for transfer to a hospital abroad. Air ambulance charges are covered if your policy includes medical evacuation benefits. However, your insurer might set a limit on ambulance claim amounts.

2. Hospitalisation Cost

   If you need to be hospitalised abroad due to an emergency, your travel insurance policy may cover the following expenses.

   • Hospital room charges
   • Boarding and nursing expenses
   • Charges for diagnostic tests
   • Examination charges
   • Fees charged by doctors, surgeons, and anaesthetists.
   • Cost of medicines

   Many travel insurance policies include cashless hospitalisation. You don't need to pay anything out of pocket, as the insurance provider directly handles the bills.

3. Medical Evacuation Costs

   Travel insurance also covers the cost of medical evacuation if the hospital you are admitted to does not have the required medical facilities for your treatment. This cover is also available to those who are stuck in a remote area where medical facilities are not available.

4. Emergency Dental Treatments Cost

   Urgent dental treatment for sudden and acute tooth pain or accidental injuries is also covered under international travel insurance.

5. Repatriation of Mortal Remains After Death

   In case of the unfortunate demise of the insured person, the cost of repatriation of the mortal remains to India is covered under travel insurance.

6. Accidental Death and Disability

   Travel insurance pays a lump sum compensation in case of the accidental death or disablement of the insured person during the trip abroad. The amount of the compensation is pre-determined.

7. Daily Hospital Allowance

   Some travel insurance policies pay a fixed daily allowance as support during hospitalisation abroad.

Medical Expenses Not Covered By Travel Insurance

Travel insurance policies do not cover certain emergency medical expenses. Here is a summary of the most common exclusions of travel insurance.

• Medical Tourism: Medical treatment expenses if you are specially travelling to get a treatment are not covered.
• Outpatient Care: OPD treatments are not covered unless a specific add-on cover is purchased.
• Non-Urgent Medical Treatments: Your international travel insurance policy will not cover medical treatments that can be performed after your return to India.
• Hospitalisation Expenses for Donors: The cost of medical treatment of organ or blood donors is not covered.
• Issues Related to Intoxicants: Travel insurance does not cover the emergency medical treatment required due to the consumption of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants.
• Non-Allopathic Medical Treatments: Treatments outside of allopathic options are not covered, but some insurance policies do offer coverage for AYUSH treatments.
• Pre-Existing Diseases: Travel insurance will not cover the cost of treatment for a condition you had before travelling. However, you can obtain this coverage as an optional cover.

Useful Travel Insurance Add-ons for Medical Emergencies

You can extend the emergency medical coverage of your travel insurance policy by purchasing add-ons or optional covers at an additional cost. Here are some add-ons provided by different travel insurers.

1. Physiotherapy Cover

   With this add-on, you can get coverage for the physiotherapy treatment required after accidents or injuries. Note that the treatment must be given by a licensed physiotherapist only.

2. Adventure Sports Cover

   Medical expenses related to adventure sports like skydiving, bungee jumping, or rafting are not covered under standard travel insurance policies. With this optional cover, you can get coverage for adventure sports.

3. Pre-Existing Diseases Cover

   With this optional cover, you can be compensated for the medical treatment required to treat any pre-existing disease you had before travelling.

4. Childcare Expenses Cover

   If you have to be hospitalised for medical treatment during your trip, you may need to get childcare services for your dependent children. Your travel insurance policy will cover this childcare cost if you have this cover.

What Documents are Needed for a Travel Insurance Claim During Medical Emergencies?

If you want to make sure that travel insurance reimburses you during medical emergencies, you must provide all the required documents. Here is a summary of the requirements.

• Original bills provided by the hospital for doctors' fees, accommodation charges, diagnostic tests expenses, etc.
• Police report filed with the local authorities (required for claims related to accidents or third-party damage).
• Other necessary reports and bills, including surgeon’s fee, ambulance expenses, etc.

Wrapping Up

When you are in a foreign country, even a minor illness or accident can cost you a fortune. The policy also saves you from draining your savings for medical treatment in a foreign, expensive country.