Protecting Your Health with Visitor's Medical Insurance

Most travelers never think about the possibility of getting sick while they are on vacation. However, when it does happen, travelers could find themselves having to pay thousands in unexpected medical bills. Why? Well, most health insurance policies will only provide coverage when a person is in their native country. If they are vacationing somewhere else, even if it's for a long period of time, coverage won't be provided. As a result, they have to pay for their bills out-of-pocket. The only exception is if a traveler is covered under visitor's medical insurance.

What is visitor's medical insurance? Visitor's medical insurance is a type of policy that provides temporary health coverage for people on vacation. If a person gets sick, a large percentage of their medical bills are provided for, even if they are in another country. No green cards or visas are needed since visitor's medical insurance is designed just for travelers... not legal aliens who plan on residing in a country indefinitely.

Two types of plans are available for those who are interested in visitor's medical insurance: fixed and comprehensive. Both plans require a deductible, (like any other health insurance policy). However, with fixed plans, insurance companies pay a flat rate for travelers' medical expenses. If there is a remaining balance, the traveler must pay it. Yet, on the upside, fixed plans are usually very cheap, making them a more popular choice for visitor's medical insurance.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are comprehensive plans, which are significantly more expensive. However, the coverage itself is much better. Instead of 'x' number of dollars, comprehensive plans require insurance companies to pay 80% of the first $5,000. Travelers are responsible for the other 20%. If the balance goes over $5,000 the insurance company will pay everything. So, even if one's overseas medical bills amounted to $1 million, under a comprehensive plan, they wouldn't have to pay a cent.