Travel insurance offers a broad range of benefits and services, such as worldwide emergency hotline services, medical evacuation, reimbursement for unexpected cancellation or delay, and more. You may want to consider supplemental coverage from a travel insurance policy.

Why Buy?

Travel insurance is designed for problems that arise suddenly during a trip. Basic coverage usually includes reimbursement for trip cancellation, interruption and delay because of illness, bad weather, baggage loss or delay, medical insurance and medical evacuation (in case of illness or injury during travel), and a 24-hour assistance telephone line. Coverage costs depend on the trip’s length, the destination, the traveler’s age and the type of coverage.

Insurance for International Business Travelers

Think about the following scenarios when traveling for business:

• You or a family member was in a car accident while on a business trip in Milan.
• You get a telephone call that your spouse in Sydney experienced symptoms of a stroke.
• There was an earthquake in Chile, which prevented you from returning on time from a trip.
• You, whilst traveling in Beijing, come down with pneumonia.

These situations should prompt you to examine whether you would know what steps to take next. Where would you go for medical care? Who would you contact? How familiar are you with the medical system of that country? How much would it cost to arrange alternate travel plans in the event of a delay or setback?

Purchasing an international travel insurance policy may be the only way you can cover all your bases. Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive. Your coverage may require that you pay medical costs upfront, then get reimbursed when you return. Instead you can purchase supplemental medical coverage. It will not only arrange for payment with the facility it will add coverage for services that your current health plan does not supply.