Falling sick while traveling can be a spoiler, and nobody wants to fall ill while traveling. Nonetheless, medical emergencies are unforeseen; therefore, travel medical insurance is designed to cover an unexpected illness, injury, or medical condition while traveling, especially outside the country. It covers emergency medical expenses like ambulance service, doctor bills, hospital and operating room charges, and other costs. Typically, there are two categories of travel health insurance:

Generic travel health insurance plans - This type of travel health insurance plan covers emergency medical and dental expenses experienced by the insurer while traveling.

All-inclusive travel health insurance plans - This insurance plan category covers the costs of emergencies like trip cancellation and delays, emergency medical evacuation, baggage loss, and more. Additionally, these comprehensive plans also provide emergency medical benefits to insurers.

Why does one need traveler health insurance?

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a popular destination for tourists worldwide, with more than 15 million people visiting the country every year. Visitors to the UAE may be required to have travel insurance that covers the entire duration of their stay in the country. This requirement protects travelers from unforeseen medical circumstances like accidents, illness, or other emergencies.

While the UAE is known for having an excellent healthcare system, it is essential to note that healthcare services are not accessible to non-citizens, which means that if a person falls ill or gets into an accident while in the country and does not have health insurance, they may face high medical expenses. Therefore, it is highly recommended that travelers obtain some form of health insurance before traveling to the UAE to ensure that they are adequately protected in case of any medical emergencies.

Benefits of health insurance for travelers

Besides offering protection in case of medical emergencies, travel health insurance has additional benefits, as follows:

Protection against losses during travel

Travel insurance provides coverage for losses such as loss of checked-in baggage, loss of passports, and other expenses that may occur while traveling abroad to help travelers mitigate financial loss due to such incidents.

Compensation for medical expenses

In addition to covering medical emergencies, travel insurance also compensates for accident or medical treatment expenses up to the limit specified in the policy, which provides financial support to travelers who may require medical attention during their trip.

Coverage against changes to the trip itinerary

Travel insurance compensates for losses that may occur before the journey commences due to unforeseen circumstances like health problems, cancellation by the seller of the hotel or airline booking, etc. This feature helps travelers to recover their financial losses in case their trip gets canceled or postponed.

Personal liability coverage

Travel insurance covers damage caused by the insured to a third person, such as damage to property or a person, during international travel. This feature of travel health plans protects travelers from legal and financial liabilities that may arise due to unintentional harm caused to others during their trip.

What does travel medical insurance cover?

Travel medical insurance is typically designed to cover various medical expenses that may arise while traveling abroad. Specific coverage and benefits may vary depending on the chosen insurance provider and plan. The following are some basic coverages all leading travel medical insurance providers provide:

● Emergency medical expenses - This covers the cost of emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and transportation to the nearest medical facility.

● Medical evacuation - This coverage provides for transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility or a medical facility in the traveler's home country in the event of a medical emergency.

● Emergency repatriation - This coverage provides for the return of the insurer or his/her remains to the home country in the event of death while abroad.

● Trip interruption or cancellation - This coverage provides reimbursement for non-refundable trip expenses in the event of a covered illness or injury that prevents the traveler from continuing their trip.

● Lost or stolen luggage - This coverage provides reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage.

● Accidental death and dismemberment - This coverage provides a lump-sum payment for accidental death or dismemberment while traveling.

However, it should be remembered that travel health insurance differs from general health insurance and does not cover expenses related to preventive treatments or regular medical care.