Medical Travel Shield v Traditional Travel Insurance
Medical Travel Shield v Traditional Travel Insurance
When we book a break or holiday overseas, it’s second nature to look up the best travel insurance rates for the trip and buy the cover needed in case of cancellations, illness, or accidents. Although traditional travel insurance can be great for paying out for lost luggage or a doctors’ treatment, there are certain situations and trips that will not be covered; indeed, some will actively render your insurance void altogether. One such instance is those travelling abroad specifically for medical reasons, such as for dental treatment, IVF fertility treatment, elective and cosmetic procedures.
Medical Travel Shield provides a specialist travel insurance product specifically for those travelling abroad for medical procedures. We look at the difference between the cover offered by Medical Travel Shield and that given by traditional insurers for general travel insurance.
Travelling for a medical procedure
Those travelling abroad for medical purposes may not be covered by traditional travel insurance. If standard travel insurance is bought to cover the trip and a claim is made generally the insurance company will not pay out. Medical Travel Shield provides travel insurance specifically for certain medical procedures, including dental treatments, fertility and IVF treatments, and cosmetic and elective surgeries, and will cover not only the trip itself but also certain potential issues with the medical procedure that will be carried out.
What is covered?
Standard travel insurance tends to cover lost or stolen items, accidental illness or injury, cancellation or curtailment. Cover with Medical Travel Shield includes all of this, whilst also having added benefits. Travel and accommodation expenses over and above the normal recovery period are covered, as well as emergency medical treatment as a result of a life-threatening complication. Reassuringly the cover also includes a return trip within 12 months should it be required following the diagnoses of a complication when in the UK.
Extra cover for companions
Companions may be able to travel under standard travel insurance cover if they wish. However, travellers can choose to insure their companion (such as a spouse, civil partner or co-habiting partner, mother, father or child) on the same policy to enable them to also benefit from the extras that come with a Medical Travel Shield policy, such as to stay on to for delayed recovery or to accompany on a potential return trip within 12 months to correct a complication.
Convenient customer care
As with most traditional travel insurance, a Medical Travel Shield policy can quickly and conveniently be purchased online, and any questions can be answered by calling the helpline. Equally, claims can easily be made by emailing or calling the team on a dedicated line.