Introduction
One of the best experiences in the life of an individual is traveling abroad. But unexpected illness and accidents can ruin everything. Travelers often assume that their health insurance will protect them from a large hospital bill abroad. But that doesn’t always happen. Many of the domestic health insurers don’t provide coverage and further assistance for international travel. So, in such a case, travel health insurance comes in. The US State Department says: "We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel" (US State Department, Mexico travel advisory). If you are an expat and are planning to fly to Mexico, then you must consider travel health insurance for Mexico. Keep on reading the blog for more information on what you need to know to cover yourself and your loved ones.
What is travel health insurance?
Travel health insurance is an insurance plan that is especially designed for individuals, families, and groups to protect them from being exposed to financial losses by helping to cover their medical expenses caused by unexpected illness or accidents while traveling abroad. It is quite similar to health insurance; the only difference is that it provides you with coverage and key medical benefits in case of an emergency outside your home country. What it pays, and for which reasons, is set by the plan certificate.
Why do you need travel health insurance in Mexico?
If you are planning to travel individually or in a group to Mexico, then you must cover yourself and your family with travel health insurance in Mexico. Here are the top five reasons to get travel health insurance for Mexico:
- It helps in medical emergencies.
Travel health insurance covers medical expenses you incur outside your home country, within the limits and exclusions set out in the plan certificate. That is what keeps a medical emergency from turning into an out-of-pocket hospital bill.
- Some plans bundle benefits beyond medical care
Some travel plans add non-medical benefits, such as cover for luggage lost in transit by a common carrier. Whether your plan does depends on its certificate, so read it before you count on that benefit.
- It comes with emergency assistance.
Life is unpredictable, and no one can predict what will happen next. IMG states that its Patriot plans include global emergency assistance services and exclude pre-existing medical conditions. Read the certificate for what the assistance services do and what the plan pays.
- The US State Department recommends it
The US State Department’s Mexico travel advisory says: "We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel" (US State Department). A travel medical plan pays for medical care; it is not liability insurance.
- It provides trip protection
Traveling abroad is one of the best experiences that one can ever have. The cost of tickets to fly abroad tends to be expensive. For some reason, your trip gets cancelled. What would you do then? Trip cancellation is a separate trip-protection product; a travel medical plan pays for medical care. TME sells trip protection; if you need cancellation cover, check its terms for what it pays back and for which reasons before you buy rather than assuming the medical plan includes it.
IMG plans for travel health insurance in Mexico
SmartGringo does not sell travel health insurance. The plans linked from this site are marketed by IMG (International Medical Group); IMG handles the quote, the sale and the service, and we earn a commission as an affiliate. IMG's quote page lists its current plans and each plan's own terms, and our guide to IMG Global Medical Insurance for expats covers the long-term option. IMG’s plan line-up includes these options:
- Patriot Lite (Travel medical insurance)
This plan is intended for individuals, families, and groups who require temporary medical insurance coverage while traveling for pleasure or business outside of their home country. It is a short-term plan that offers you coverage from 5 days to 2 years.
It is a long-term comprehensive plan that is designed to provide you with worldwide medical coverage. This plan allows individuals or families to work abroad without being concerned about their health insurance. Selecting Global Medical Insurance enables you to choose from several plan options. Moreover, this travel health insurance allows you to customize your coverage plan.
- Patriot Platinum (Travel Medical Insurance)
The Patriot Platinum insurance plan is intended for sophisticated international travelers seeking maximum coverage for a limited time. Moreover, this plan offers additional benefits to meet your global travel needs by providing enhanced services and benefits. This plan offers coverage up to 36 and covers the expenses of an unexpected recurrence of pre-existing conditions.
Conclusion:
The lives of your loved ones and yours are precious. We have already discussed the need for travel medical insurance above. So, don’t take a risk on that. Compare the IMG plans on IMG’s quote page and choose the one that fits your needs; SmartGringo links to IMG as an affiliate and does not sell or advise on the plans. For help choosing, IMG’s own plan pages set out each plan’s terms.
Trip booked? Get a travel health insurance quote from IMG.