Why Buy Travel Medical Insurance?

Travel medical insurance is recommended for international travelers by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of State, and your favorite travel bloggers (think Goats on the Road and Nomadic Matt).

Even if you’re a picture of health, you never know what kinds of emergencies might befall you abroad, and many domestic health insurance plans do not cover you outside of your home country – or they provide limited coverage. If your domestic plan does not provide coverage, and you choose to travel abroad without insurance, you'll be solely responsible for any emergency medical bills you incur.

As a result, a common injury could end up costing you a fortune—or, as the CDC puts it—“a large out-of-pocket expenditure of perhaps thousands of dollars."

Could you afford to pay up to $7,500 to fix your broken leg? How about $30,000 for a three-day hospital stay? These high costs “can sometimes lead people without coverage into deep debt, or even into bankruptcy,” shares healthcare.gov.

The Cost of Medical Treatment

Actual claims submitted to travel medical provider Tokio Marine HCC – MIS Group

• Kidney infection — $29,662.80
• Head injury — $67,299.79
• Pneumonia hospitalization — $99,625.53
• Broken leg — $119,624.46

Travel medical insurance is generally budget-friendly, often starting at a dollar a day, and provides coverage for eligible medical expenses when something unexpected happens. But travel medical doesn’t just offer coverage for medical expenses; it can provide you with access to quality care and a host of vital emergency travel benefits. See how in the real-life examples below!

Real-Life Examples

Real emergency situations regarding actual Tokio Marine HCC – MIS Group customers

Real-Life Example #1: Emergency Medical Evacuation of an American Missionary in Russia

Nalchik, Russia -> Istanbul = $32,805

An American missionary was hiking in Russia when he fell twenty feet from a cliff, suffering multiple broken bones and a concussion. He was taken to a nearby hospital that was unable to provide him with adequate care.

Tokio Marine HCC - MIS Group was contacted and arranged for the missionary’s transfer to a world-class hospital in Istanbul, where he underwent multiple corrective surgeries.

Real-Life Example #2: Repatriation of Remains after a Tragic Accident in Thailand

Thailand -> United Kingdom = $5,323

A 21-year-old British citizen teaching in Thailand was struck by traffic and died later that day. Tokio Marine HCC – MIS Group worked with his parents, the local hospital, and government officials to arrange for the care, preparation, and return of his mortal remains to his home country.

Real-Life Example #3: Trip Interruption Due to an Unexpected Death in the Family

United States -> Nigeria = $3,312

A 33-year-old Nigerian fellow in a U.S.-based leadership development program learned of his father’s passing due to cardiac arrest. Tokio Marine HCC – MIS Group provided travel arrangements and transportation costs for him to return home for the funeral.

Real-Life Example #4: Political Evacuation of an American en Route to Lesotho

Namibia -> United States = $3,303

An American was en route to Lesotho when the U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning for her destination.  Arrangements were made for her safe return from Namibia back to the United States and the trip was covered under her travel medical policy.

Cost Comparison

Emergency Medical Expenses with and without Atlas Travel medical insurance from Tokio Marine HCC – MIS Group:

Real-Life Example #1: Multilobar Pneumonia & Tonsillitis

• Traveler’s total responsibility without a travel medical insurance policy: $12,149.37
• Traveler’s total responsibility with an Atlas Travel medical insurance policy from Tokio Marine HCC – MIS Group: $568.78
  • Total Savings = 95%          

Real-Life Example #2: Surgical Repair of a Broken Leg

• Traveler’s total responsibility without a travel medical insurance policy: $119,624.46
• Traveler’s total responsibility with an Atlas Travel medical insurance policy from Tokio Marine HCC – MIS Group: $9,596.49
  • Total Savings = 91.99%