Travel medical insurance, a one-time infrequently purchased type of policy, has become much more popular today. Airline flight insurance was once thought of as something bought at the airport just before departure; specialty accident/life coverage to provide protection while flying. While these policies often offered riders to add other benefits such as travel medical insurance, they were neither widely promoted nor purchased by the traveling public. Today, the travel insurance industry has come much more to the forefront of public awareness.

Insurance coverage once sold as flight coverage has evolved into complete packages covering a wide array of benefits. This is a competitive industry and new types of coverage are being designed and added all the time, some of which may be unique to only a few companies but most of which are offered by the majority of underwriters. They include:

• Accidental death and dismemberment
• Travel medical insurance
• Emergency travel assistance (24/7)
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation
• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Funeral expenses
• Delayed departure
• Stolen, lost or damaged baggage
• Weather delays

This is just a short list of benefits available through various travel policies. Many companies offer an ala Carte method of constructing just the right coverage for each customer, while others simply offer a variety of packages at difference price points. Special coverage for golfers who must forfeit prepaid greens fees or concert-goers who are forced to miss the show are now available to provide reimbursement. The list of benefits available through some policies is really quite vast.

Travel Medical Insurance

Travel medical insurance is one of the most important options to consider when buying a travel policy. Some companies also offer travel medical insurance as a stand-alone coverage, but most who obtain it will get the coverage as part of a comprehensive benefits package. Travel medical insurance takes the place of your regular medical insurance, which, in most cases, cannot be used when traveling abroad. Without a good travel medical insurance policy in force, those suffering an accident or illness while traveling will be forced to bear the costs of medical services out of their own pockets. Travel medical insurance will also usually pay for emergency evacuation and repatriation, which, without proper coverage, could cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Cost of Buying Travel Medical Insurance

Just like any type of insurance, the cost of buying travel medical insurance will depend on many factors such as age, length of trip, cost of the trip and extent of pre-existing medical conditions. When travel medical insurance is added as an option to a travel insurance package, the entire package will generally run from 4% to 8% of the trip's total cost. For travel medical insurance alone the cost will be less, sometimes as little as a few dollars per day. Older travelers and those with pre-existing conditions can expect to pay more, as they represent a higher risk of making a claim.

Who Needs Travel Medical Insurance

Travel medical insurance should be seriously considered by anyone traveling abroad for the simple reason that becoming injured or ill in a foreign country can be devastating both emotionally and financially. Having a travel medical insurance policy will bring not only financial relief but also other assistance such as translating services, access to the best medical care available and immediate action with minimal delay. Travel medical insurance is a must for:

• Business travelers
• Missionaries
• Students traveling abroad
• Vacationers/Holiday goers

Travel medical insurance coverage will provide peace of mind and allow a traveler to relax and enjoy the trip without worrying about 'what if'. It makes good sense.