Is international health insurance the same as travel insurance?

Travel insurance for medical coverage operates by providing financial protection when you require medical assistance while abroad. Here's how it typically works:

• Medical Expenses: If you fall ill or get injured during your trip, you seek medical treatment as needed.
• Payment and Documentation: You pay for the medical services upfront, keeping receipts and documents.
• Claim Submission: After returning home, you submit a claim to your travel insurance provider, including all relevant documents.
• Claim Evaluation: The insurer reviews your claim to assess its validity and compliance with policy terms.
• Reimbursement: Once approved, the insurer reimburses you for eligible medical expenses, often directly depositing funds into your bank account.

It's advisable to get travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, ideally shortly after confirming your travel arrangements. Purchasing insurance early helps ensure you're protected from unforeseen events that could disrupt your plans, such as trip cancellations due to covered illness or other unexpected covered circumstances.

Additionally, many travel insurance policies offer benefits that become more valuable the sooner you buy them, like coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. Waiting until the last minute, such as on the day of travel, may limit your coverage options and leave you exposed to potential risks.

>>> Read more: Do I buy travel insurance before or after booking?

International travel insurance typically covers a range of essential aspects during your overseas trips, including:

• Medical Expenses: Coverage for emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and doctor's fees.
• Trip Cancellations/Interruptions: Reimbursement for non-refundable trip costs if you have to cancel or cut short your journey due to covered reasons.
• Travel Delay: Compensation for expenses incurred during delayed flights or transit.
• Lost or Delayed Baggage: Coverage for lost, stolen, or delayed luggage and personal belongings.
• Emergency Evacuation: Assistance and financial support for medical evacuations in case of serious illness or injury.
• Emergency Assistance: Emergency Assistance: 24/7 support for emergencies.

Yes, you can buy travel insurance on the day of travel in many cases. Several insurance providers offer last-minute policies that allow you to purchase coverage shortly before your departure. 

However, it's advisable to buy travel insurance as early as possible, ideally at the time of booking your trip, to maximize the benefits. Buying insurance closer to your departure date may limit your coverage, especially for certain events like trip cancellations due to pre-existing conditions. 

Additionally, purchasing earlier helps ensure you are protected against unexpected events that could occur before your trip, such as covered illness or other unforeseen covered circumstances