TRAVEL HEALTH INSURANCE
Find the Best Travel Insurance Broker for Your Client
If your client plans to travel abroad, one important practice is to get in touch with a travel insurance broker. It’s important to be aware that most health insurance plans in the U.S. don’t include coverage for medical care your client may need while they’re outside the country.
If something unexpected happens abroad, such as an illness or accident, the traveler may need to pay all medical expenses out of pocket. In some countries, unpaid medical bills can also cause visa problems.
This is when you can help your client. You can inform them about travel insurance and help them choose a plan that best suits their needs.
So, you are not only keeping them safe with travel and medical insurance protection but also strengthening your relationship with them.
What Is Travel Health Insurance?
Travel health insurance is a type of short-term insurance that can be useful when your clients are outside the United States and suddenly need medical treatment.
Since most standard health insurance does not cover medical expenses abroad, this travel insurance can protect your client from major expenses if they get sick or have an accident while traveling.
The good thing is that this travel insurance coverage is usually only for the duration of the trip. This is a key aspect of annual travel insurance. This also decreases the trip cost, especially when considering trip delay insurance options.
These policies come with different levels of coverage from various insurance providers. Your client can choose the one that best suits their travel plans, whether it is a short vacation of a few days or a long stay abroad, with the right travel insurance that provides adequate coverage.
What Is and Is Not Covered by Travel Health Insurance?
Travel health insurance does not cover everything. It has some limitations, such as medical condition exclusion waivers. Most insurance plans have a claim period for emergency medical services.
If it is not reported in time, full coverage may not be available, especially for trip cancellation and interruption. That’s why you should compare the different plan options and don’t book anything that your client has to pay for in advance.
Most travel insurance plans don’t cover pre-existing conditions. Each plan offers different coverage amounts and time limits, so choose one that matches your client’s requirements and trip length.
On the other hand, medical insurance may not cover some countries. Countries with political instability, significant health crises, or security concerns are often considered ‘risky countries’. For this reason, before going anywhere, review the details of the medical insurance policy of that place.
Since COVID-19, travel insurance rules have changed. Some plans now include coverage for COVID-related treatment, while others don’t. Always check if it’s covered or needs to be added to avoid surprises during the trip.
How Do I Select the Best Travel Insurance Brokers for My Client?
If you find a good broker, the entire insurance process becomes much easier when dealing with top travel insurance companies for insurance claims. So, find a broker who works with travel health insurance regularly and is knowledgeable about travel insurance for international options and annual travel insurance.
A person who is constantly aware of policy changes can save time and help you find solutions if there are any problems with the travel insurance provider in the future.
Many people choose a policy because it is cheap, but this can be risky. An affordable policy may seem reasonable initially. But when your client needs emergency medical coverage, it cannot provide adequate support.
So instead of just focusing on the premium, take a close look at what the policy actually covers. Make sure your client has true travel health insurance, not just trip cancellation protection. One covers the medical expenses, while the other only helps if the trip gets canceled.
With an experienced broker who understands travel insurance quotes, you don’t have to go to different departments or get stuck in a slow process, making it easier to find the best time to buy travel insurance.
Why Choose a Travel Insurance Broker Over Direct Providers?
When someone wants to buy travel insurance, it can be overwhelming to see so many options. Each company says something different and offers something different in their travel insurance quotes.
This is where a travel insurance broker can help navigate through trip insurance plans. Their goal is not just to sell policies. They want your client to get the right insurance for their needs.
A Broker Can Compare Plans from Multiple Insurance Companies
The broker already knows which company has the best coverage. So they can find the best options that fit your client’s needs. You don’t have to compare all the plans by yourself for your client.
Your Client Doesn’t Have to Pay Anything Separately—The Insurance Company Pays the Commission
Many people think that a broker means more expense. But the truth is, no, you don’t have to pay a single penny more. The insurance company pays the broker’s commission. Your client gets expert advice and accurate guidelines for free.
Arrange Coverage According to Your Travel Plans
Not all trips require the same type of single-trip travel insurance plans for trip cancellation and interruption coverage. A one-week vacation and a three-month job vacation are not the same. Some may also be travelling with a past medical history.
A broker may ask questions like, Where are you going? How long are you going for? Do you have travel insurance benefits in place? Do you have any health conditions that might affect your travel insurance coverage?
Based on this information, they design a perfect policy for your client’s trip, including options to cancel for any reason, not just a “one-size-fits-all” policy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting Travel Insurance
Consider all the mistakes below to avoid while choosing a travel insurance plan for the trip:
- Not Checking if You Have to Pay First: Whether your client must pay for coverage for pre-existing conditions can lead to unexpected costs. Many travel insurance plans pay back after they have spent money on the hospital. But when your clients are abroad, it is difficult to pay such a large amount of money out of pocket.
- Picking the Same Plan for Every Trip: Get the best plan for all trips, including licensed travel insurance options. Not all trips are the same, especially when considering the types of travel insurance that best suit the specific needs.
- Don’t Consider Layovers or Multiple Countries: Some insurance policies cover only when your client reaches their primary destination. If it’s a short trip, the plan may not cover those places.
- Ignoring Regular Health Needs: Many think travel insurance is only for major accidents or medical emergencies. But what if regular medication needs to be refilled? Or need a simple checkup if your client feels unwell before the trip? It can be a significant expense, so travel protection is essential.
- Skipping Emergency Evacuation Coverage: If your client must return to their home country from abroad, the costs can be high without proper travel protection. Some plans do not cover this cost at all; consider it.
- Not Knowing Where to Get Help: Not all insurance companies offer 24-hour customer support. Sometimes, they assist in a language you or your client may not understand, creating confusion.
- Thinking Everything Is Included: Many believe buying one insurance policy will cover everything. But this is not true. Many important things, such as COVID-19 coverage or coverage for any adventure or outdoor sports, often have to be purchased separately.
- Looking at What’s Covered—But Not How Much: Many plans say ‘hospital coverage’, but comparing travel options is essential to ensure proper protection. One plan has much less coverage than the other. In the event of a significant problem, the coverage will end quickly.
- Not Reading the Plan After Buying It: One common mistake is not reading the policy. Skipping the details can cause your client to miss out on the plan’s essential services or leave them unprepared when they need help. Understanding what is covered and what is not in the travel insurance options is difficult.
EMG Insurance Brokerage Can Help
As a brokerage general agency, EMG handles everything from submission to commission. Our team of experts is devoted to providing consistent and reliable travel assistance services.
Our presence in the travel health insurance market since the 1980s has allowed us to build a vast network of carriers, and we select the best carriers for agents to choose from.
With our network and experience, EMG is a one-stop shop for specific travel needs. In addition, our team ensures the process is done efficiently by providing dedicated front—and back-end support to all of our agents, enabling them to offer the best plan for your clients.
To connect with us, call us at (800) 477-3548 to schedule a consultation with our expert teams about purchasing travel insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance for Brokers
Do You Have a Policy That Covers Me in “X” Country?
Yes, travel insurance can cover your client in most countries they visit. Most people choose a single-trip policy that covers them from the day they leave until they return. However, some countries may not be covered.
Does Medicare Cover Your Client When They Are Outside of the US?
Medicare will not cover your client when they are out of the country. Some Medicare supplement plans have a foreign travel benefit, but EMG does not recommend solely relying on that for travel insurance to protect you abroad.
Does Individual Health Cover a Traveler When They Are Outside of the US?
No, it does not provide the same level of insurance protection as licensed travel insurance.
Does Group Health Cover a Traveler When They Are Outside of the US?
No, Group health plans may not provide the same benefits as specialized travel medical insurance plans for the trip. Some plans do not cover travelers outside the US, which is important to consider when looking at international travel insurance.
Should I Sell Travel Health Insurance Through a Brokerage General Agency?
The simple answer to this is yes. A brokerage agency will shop the current market for you. Brokerage general agencies can assist you in finding a travel insurance plan that meets your needs. They will ensure better trip protection and medical expense coverage.
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