Policy Duration and International Medical Insurance

There is a certain misconception that international medical insurance and international travel insurance is the same thing. They are actually significant differences between these two policy types. In general, travel insurance policies are designed to cover someone during a brief period. That is, the term duration of a travel insurance policy will be a month or two. After all, why would you purchase a three month policy if you are only traveling for three weeks? International medical insurance, however, is designed to cover someone for an extended period of time. In many instances, an international health insurance policy will have a term of one year or more and can be renewed indefinitely.

The reason that their differences between the two is that they serve completely different purposes. Travel insurance is for vacations. That is why they only cover a brief period of time. Overseas medical insurance is designed to cover someone who travels overseas for extended periods of time. Often, these policies are intended for people who work overseas. Depending upon the purpose of the work related trip, it is not uncommon for someone to work overseas for several months in a row. While such a person may have a domestic policy in their home country, the policy will probably not provide coverage during the overseas stay. This necessitates seeking an international policy that will provide coverage while they are overseas.

Thankfully, international health insurance policy are comprehensive in nature. In other words, such policies will be no different than a primary policy held in one’s home country. This way, all types of medical procedures will be covered under an international insurance policy. Keep in mind, since these policies are generally only purchases in one year terms it is possible that the policy will be dropped if a the holder develops a serious medical condition. However, if no medical conditions are present then the policy can easily be renewed.