Are Travel Insurance and Health Insurance the Same?
Heath insurance and travel insurance are two different types of insurance, and one cannot be substituted for the other. They each provide different kinds of coverage, and can be purchased concurrently. While travel insurance does offer cover for medical care expenses, it does not cover every health condition. Read on for more information on what health insurance and travel insurance are, what cover they provide, and the different health-related add-ons you can get with your travel insurance policy.
Health Insurance
Health insurance, also known as private medical insurance, covers all or some of the costs of an individual’s medical treatment should they become ill or injured during their policy for a monthly or yearly premium. Health insurance will cover private hospital treatment, tests and consultations, specialist care, and in-patient and out-patient care. Standard health insurance policies will cover a UK resident in the UK, but international health insurance will provide cover for UK residents who are living or working abroad for a long period of time.
Health insurance policies generally cover unforeseen injuries and illnesses, and will not cover pre-existing medical conditions. However, you may still get cover for pre-existing medical conditions for an added premium, though there may be some limitations and exclusions when it comes to what the health insurance provider is willing to cover.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance covers the costs that may be incurred by unforeseen events while travelling, such as cancellation and curtailment, travel delays, financial failure, missed departure, and missed connections. Travel insurance also covers legal costs and expenses, baggage and personal money, personal possessions, personal liability, personal accident, and more.
Emergency medical and repatriation expenses are covered by most travel insurance policies. This includes coverage for hospital confinement, mugging hospitalisation, physiotherapy (including UK physiotherapy and chiropractic care), additional travel and accommodation expenses, emergency dental treatment, UK prescriptions, and funeral expenses/cremation expenses abroad. As well as purchasing travel insurance, you should apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) before you travel which will entitle you to state-provided healthcare.
Most travel insurance providers offer their customers optional add-ons which can be purchased for an added premium, such as gadget cover, winter sports and ski cover, cruise cover, business cover, and pre-existing medical conditions cover.
Travel Insurance with Medical Conditions Cover Add-On
Because standard travel insurance policies don’t cover pre-existing medical conditions, one of the most popular add-ons purchased with travel insurance is medical conditions cover. A pre-existing medical condition is defined as a medical condition that has been experienced prior to purchasing the policy and that is ongoing. For example, asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, or cancer.
The cover lasts for the policy duration, and if you purchase this cover when you first book your trip, you will be covered if your pre-existing medical condition causes you to cancel or postpone your trip. You’ll be able to receive medical care for your condition while abroad if necessary. You will need to provide your travel insurance provider with doctor’s notes and any additional medical information they request.
You should declare all pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing your travel insurance policy, and notify your travel insurance provider if your condition changes.
Travel Insurance with Enhanced COVID-19 Protection
Another add-on many people opt for is enhanced COVID-19 protection. Oasis Insurance’s single trip, annual multi-trip, and backpackers travel insurance policies offer protection from cancellation and curtailment and cover emergency medical and repatriation expenses caused by COVID-19.
By purchasing enhanced COVID-19 protection, insured persons will be covered they need to travel against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). You’ll also receive cancellation coverage if you are required to self-isolate before beginning your journey, or if you have an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine, or if you are unable to complete the full course of COVID-19 vaccinations before your trip.
If you’re not sure whether you need health insurance or travel insurance with medical conditions cover and enhanced COVID-19 protection, you should contact insurance providers for more information. Every insurance provider will have different terms and conditions, so it is important to read the policy wording and discuss what you expect from a policy before purchasing insurance.
