Travel Insurance for Medical Emergencies
Robust medical coverage for Americans traveling abroad
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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
- Why consider travel insurance for medical emergencies?
- What overseas medical expenses may be covered by travel insurance?
- Worldwide 24/7 emergency assistance
- Am I covered for Coronavirus-related medical costs while overseas?
- What’s not covered?
- What else do I need to know about travel insurance for emergency medical?
We’ve seen some pretty hairy accidents and illnesses, from aneurysms to scooter crashes, and at least one shark bite! When the unexpected happens, you will want to know who to call and how to get help. When you purchase one of our travel insurance* plans, you can rest a bit easier on your trip knowing you made plans for the “just in case”.
Why consider travel insurance for medical emergencies?
One of the key reasons many travelers purchase travel insurance is to make sure they are covered for an unexpected injury or illness while on vacation. Food poisoning, bike accidents and serious illnesses happen more than you might imagine. Sometimes you might just need advice on where to find a local doctor to get some medicine. But a serious illness or injury may require hospitalization, surgery or other medical treatment. In many cases, if you get sick or injured, a hospital may not treat you without upfront payment or providing proof you purchased a travel insurance plan.
What overseas medical expenses may be covered by travel insurance?
World Nomads travel insurance covers a wide range of overseas medical expenses, including:
- Hospitalization
- Visits to registered medical practitioners
- X-rays and lab tests
- Prescribed medicines
- Ambulance transportation
- Being brought home, if medically necessary and coordinated with the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team
- Emergency dental treatment
This is not a full list of what's covered. Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Coverage may depend on your past medical history, what's happened to you and any other conditions, limits, or exclusions of coverage as described in your plan.
Worldwide 24/7 emergency assistance
With the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team, you’re never alone during a medical emergency. The team provides support to find local medical facilities and can even arrange repatriation if needed, ensuring your safety and well-being.
Am I covered for Coronavirus-related medical costs while overseas?
Our Single trip or Annual travel insurance plans for US residents all offer support should you unexpectedly get sick while traveling. Our medical coverage includes benefits for serious illnesses, such as COVID-19, or being placed under strict quarantine by a physician or government mandate, among other scenarios.
Your travel insurance plan may help with emergency medical treatment for unexpected injury or sickness, including contracting COVID-19 while you are traveling. You may also be eligible for Trip Interruption benefits if your travel arrangements have changed mid-trip because you’ve contracted COVID-19 and a doctor diagnoses you as too sick to travel.
For more information on benefit limits, conditions and exclusions, read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article.
What’s not covered?
While our travel insurance offers extensive coverage, certain exclusions apply, such as some pre-existing medical conditions and non-emergency treatments that can wait until you return home. The following situations are excluded from coverage:
- If you've used drugs or alcohol.
- Any reckless or illegal behavior.
- Non-emergency treatment that can wait until you return home (it's not regular health insurance; it's for travel health emergencies).
- Any medical bills related to a pre-existing condition, unless you purchased the Epic or Explorer plan during the time-sensitive period were medically able to travel at the time of purchase.
- Care or treatment that is payable under any other insurance plan.
- Ongoing treatment at home.
What else do I need to know about travel insurance for emergency medical?
Here are a few other things you may want to keep in mind as you plan your trip:
- Most travel insurance is excess (secondary). That means you’ll make a claim first with your primary insurer, then claim with us for the amount they did not cover, up to the plan limits.
- We offer four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual Insurance. When you get a quote, you can compare the plans side-by-side. Only you can decide what is the best medical travel insurance to meet your needs. If you have any questions, reach out and our team will be happy to help.
- Many illnesses and accidents can be prevented with a little planning and care.
- Make sure you’re up to date on all your travel vaccinations like Typhoid, Hepatitis A/B and Yellow Fever, along with routine vaccinations like Flu, Covid and Tetanus.
- Visit our non-insurance service provider Runway Health before you leave to get prescriptions for many of the most common medications you may need on your travels. Runway Health is an online travel clinic that helps ensure you’re well-informed and protected against potential health risks while you’re away. Register for a free, pre-departure telehealth consultation.
- Foodborne and waterborne illnesses can ruin a trip. If you’re not sure about food and water safety where you’re traveling, remember the ‘boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it’ rule. This goes for teeth brushing too.
- For personal safety, never leave your food or drink unattended, especially if traveling alone.
- Know your limits and allow time for rest and snack breaks. If you’re planning a more adventurous trip with hiking, biking or other strenuous activities, start training early so you’ll be in great shape by the time you go.
How to get medical assistance.
It’s essential that you get in contact with our assistance teams as soon as possible so that our teams can support you from the time you fall sick or get injured until the time you're well again.
So that our Emergency Assistance teams can assist you quickly, please be ready with the following:
- Your policy number
- A contact number for where you are now
- The nature of your problem
- Your location
Monkey Bite!
While visiting the Monkey Forest in Bali, I was bitten by a monkey and blood was drawn. After returning to our hotel we then visited a local doctor the same evening of the bite. I received the first Rabies vaccination and then went to the International SOS office in Bali for an examination. There I received a second rabies shot, and then immunoglobin shots.
S.D. U.S Resident in Indonesia.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Are you or your family sick, injured or dead?
- Natural disaster or terrorist attack where you’re going?
- Called to active service?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Standard Plan: $125,500
- Explorer Plan: $150,000
- Epic Plan: $250,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need drugs quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation
We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $400,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $700,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need to get to hospital urgently?
- You or a family member dies?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $3,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Go Pro Gone?
- Laptop Lost?
- Sports Gear Stolen?
Help starts here.
The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.
Protect your health
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuations
- Bedside Companion Travel
- Emergency Medications
Protect Your Trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
- Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
- Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)
Protect Your Stuff
- Baggage Delay
- Passport and Visa Loss
- Lost or Stolen Bags
- Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
- Baggage Return After Evacuation
Non-Insurance Services
- Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
- Translators Available
- Runway Health
- FootprintID
- Blue Ribbon Bags
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone:
+1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about overseas medical insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team.
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Does my insurance cover medical costs upfront or do I have to pay and claim later?
Who pays depends on what’s happened! If it’s an emergency situation where medical evacuation is required, the insurer covers these costs upfront (provided the incident is covered as per the policy wording, of course).
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Do you have a list of doctors/dentist so I know where to go in case something happens and make sure I’m covered
We don't have a list of doctors or dentists. If you need help finding one, call our assistance teams, and they'll guide to the most appropriate medical professional.
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Why don't you cover ongoing treatment at home?
Travel insurance policies are designed for accidents or unexpected illness overseas. They don't stand in place of primary medical insurance.
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.