Travel insurance varies and can be bought for specific needs. Trip interruption insurance covers the expense, or expenses, of a traveler coming home early from their trip. Medical evacuation insurance covers the cost of coming home if the traveler has been involved in some kind of accident or experiences a health issue that keeps them from getting home the way they came and at their original departure date.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/advice/2015/06/04/travel-insurance/28412123/
The CDC explains three types of travel insurance. Travel insurance: Covers the cost of a trip that has to be canceled. Travel health insurance: Applies to the cost of any medical care needed while away. And medical evacuation insurance: Insurance that would cover someone coming home because they are so ill or so badly injured that they have to be brought home quickly.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/insurance
Rick Steves explains in his article that anyone considering using travel insurance should ask the insurance issuer the questions they have about what is and what is not covered. New comprehensive plans give travelers the most for their money. Instead of buying different plans for specific needs, travelers are able to purchase one plan that may cover multiple needs. He also warns that some things may not be covered, especially if going to an at-risk country as named by the US State Department. In this case, it is possible that no losses or care are covered. Also, the medical travel insurance may not apply to injuries suffered while enjoying activities such as sky-diving. This does vary and some insurance companies do offer what they call adventure-sport coverage.
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/travel-insurance
Travel insurance is needed if and when the traveler believes that they cannot afford to lose money for their trip. Travel insurance plans can cover lost baggage, and even the cancellation of an entire trip. Travelers not leaving the U.S. or their home country, or not going away for an extended amount of time, may not feel that their trip or their baggage is at risk.
https://covertrip.com/travel-insurance-coverage/when-is-travel-insurance-not-necessary
Travel insurance and travel medical insurance are not the same and one must be added to the other to ensure coverage.
The US Bureau of Consular Affairs explains to students that are currently studying abroad or those that may be considering it, to look into medical insurance for while they are away. The site explains that the coverage provided by their parent’s plan may not be enough.
US based insurance covers what is stated in the policy. Some policies can have coverage added to them for the duration of a trip outside of the U.S. Travel insurance covers what may happen on a trip. Travelers leaving the country need insurance that covers the outside of the US. This can include any medical care.
GeoBlue offers medical coverage for employees. They offer two types of coverage. Long-term coverage Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Expat: Plan covers the employee and their family that have moved together to their new host country for the duration of their loved one’s assignment.
Short-Term coverage Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Traveler: overs the employee for 180 days or less. This coverage can be issued to those leaving the US for their work assignment and to those coming to the US for their work assignment. GeoBlue offers plans for individuals and students.
https://www.geo-blue.com/health_plan/plans_overview.cfm
The destination dashboard button allows users to look up their destination and find any medical information they may need to know while they are there. This one is for Sucre, Bolivia.
https://www.geo-blue.com/personalized_destination/
College students must have medical insurance to study abroad. Some colleges can help students enroll in a health plan at the school. Students do have choice between what the school has to offer them and an individual plan they find on their own that gives them the minimum coverage they need to be able to go abroad.
https://www.studyabroad.com/student-guide-medical-insurance-while-abroad
We have compiled a list of countries and conditions in which medical travel insurance is required:
Andorra — Can only be entered through France or Spain. France and Spain require medical travel insurance if staying for more than 90 days.
Austria — Part of the Schengen Area. If staying for more than 90 days medical travel insurance is required.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Austria.html
https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Belarus — Proof of health insurance covering the traveler for the duration of their stay must be shown at the time of visa application. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Belarus.html
Belgium — Part of the Schengen Area. If staying for more than 90 days medical travel insurance is required. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Belgium.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Bhutan — Not required, but the U.S. State Department states on their website that The Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan offers a medical insurance plans for travelers. However, after looking around on the site I was not able to find very much information about it. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Bhutan.html https://fiti.bt/stakeholders/ricbl/
Bosnia and Herzegovina — Required. https://www.americanvisitorinsurance.com/travel-insurance/bosnia-and-herzegovina/#:~:text=Bosnia%20and%20Herzegovina%20has%20made,healthcare%20costs%20have%20increased%20globally
Cuba — Required since 2010. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/things-to-know-before-traveling-to-cuba
Cyprus — Required, listed as part of the Schengen Area on the following site: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cyprus.html Listed as required to join the Schengen Area, but have not joined yet on this site: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-area/
Czech Republic — Part of the Schengen Area, required if staying more than 90 days.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CzechRepublic.html
https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Denmark — Part of the Schengen Area, required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Denmark.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
El Salvador — Not required. https://www.insubuy.com/el-salvador-travel-insurance/
Estonia — Part of the Schengen Area, required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Estonia.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Finland — Part of the Schengen Area, required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Finland.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
France — Part of the Schengen Area, required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/France.html.html?wcmmode=disabled https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Germany — Part of the Schengen Area, required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Germany.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Greece — Part of the Schengen Area, required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Greece.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Hungary — Part of the Schengen Area, travel health insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Hungary.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Iceland — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, travel health insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Iceland.html
Italy — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement. Travel health insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Japan — Not required. It is worth noting that Lonely Planet explains on their site that only Japanese health insurance is accepted for medical care.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/things-to-know-before-traveling-to-kyoto
Kosovo — Only required if applying for a temporary residence permit. It must be local health insurance, not travel health insurance.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Kosovo.html
Latvia — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, travel medical insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Latvia.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Liechtenstein — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, travel medical insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Liechtenstein.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Lithuania — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, travel medical insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Lithuania.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Luxembourg — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, travel medical insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Luxembourg.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Macedonia — Travel medical insurance is required. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Macedonia.html
Malta — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, medical travel insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Malta.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Netherlands — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, medical travel insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Netherlands.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Norway — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, medical travel insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Norway.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Poland — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, medical travel insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Poland.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Portugal — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, medical travel insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Portugal.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Slovakia — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, medical travel insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Slovakia.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Slovenia — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, medical travel insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Slovenia.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Spain — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, medical travel insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Spain.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Sweden — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, medical travel insurance is required if staying more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Sweden.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php
Switzerland — Part of the Schengen Area Agreement, medical travel insurance is required if staying for more than 90 days. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Switzerland.html https://www.internationalinsurance.com/articles/schengen-visa.php