Basic Plan Types - Emergency Medical Evacuation

Emergency Medical Evacuation protection covers the cost of a transporting a seriously injured or ill person to an adequate medical facility, a hospital near home, or the hospital of their choice, depending on the plan. This coverage is usually included with both international medical insurance and travel protection plans, but unlike baggage insurance and trip cancellation insurance, it is also sold separately. Emergency medical evacuations are always expensive and sufficient coverage is recommended, especially for long-distance trips.

International Major Medical Insurance is primary medical insurance intended to take the place of a domestic private health insurance policy or national health care system. International Major Medical Insurance plans typically feature:

* Worldwide coverage

* Option to renew the policy indefinitely

* High lifetime policy maximum benefits (up to US$5 million)

* Choice of deductible (also known as "excess")

* Comprehensive coverage such as organ transplants, major surgery,

* Optional Riders (for additional premium) such as life insurance, upgraded AD&D, and daily indemnity for hospitalization

* Coverage for routine healthcare/wellness, prescription drugs, alternative medicines, mental/nervous care

* Coverage for maternity, newborns, and child wellness

* Limited coverage for pre-existing conditions

Some International Major Medical insurance plans will cover you in the United States and Canada as well as the rest of the world. Some plans exclude coverage in the United States and Canada. For some plans your country of citizenship determines eligibility for coverage in a certain country. For other plans the country where your primary residence is determines eligibility.

Some plans exclude pre-existing conditions until you have been insured with the plan for a certain period of time. Some plans cover pre-existing conditions if you are currently insured by a US health plan that provides "creditable coverage" or you have been continuously covered by comparable health insurance. Some plans exclude pre-existing conditions regardless. Some plans cover routine healthcare, also known as "wellness" benefits, and some plans offer vision and dental benefits.

International Life Insurance is usually sold as one-year renewable term life insurance that pays the beneficiary a lump sum upon the death of the insured during the period of coverage (12 months). Five, 10, and even 20 year international term life insurance may also be available in limited circumstances. International Life Insurance plans typically feature a simplified application process requiring the completion of a a detailed medical questionnaire but not requiring a blood test or physical exam. However, benefits are not payable if death is due to a pre-existing condition that manifested within prior five years. Death due to War and Terrorism is usually excluded but an Optional War & Terrorism Rider is often available for additional premium. In most cases coverage is available regardless of the insured's nationality and country of residence. US citizens residing in the US or Canada and citizens of Canada residing in the US or Canada are not eligible.

Key features of International Life Insurance are:

* Worldwide coverage (rates are higher for high risk countries)

* Option to renew the policy annually through age 64

* High Maximum Benefits - up to US$1,000,000 or higher.

International Accident Insurance (also known as Accidental Death and Dismemberment or AD&D) is annually renewable insurance that pays a lump sum benefit to the insured's beneficiary in the event of the insured's death or loss of a body part or function due to accident (as opposed to sickness). AD&D is typically less expensive than life insurance and may be purchased in addition to a life insurance policy to substantially increase the benefit payable to the beneficiary if the insured dies as a result of an accident. An Accidental Permanent Total Disability (APTD) benefit may be available for additional premium. Death due to War or Terrorism is usually excluded but an Optional War & Terrorism Rider is often available for additional premium. Coverage for travel to war zones is available for journalists, contractors, and relief workers. Where travel to high risk countries and/or participation in extreme sports or hazardous activities is contemplated, premiums will be adjusted accordingly. In most cases coverage is available regardless of the insured's nationality and country of residence. US citizens residing in the US or Canada and citizens of Canada residing in the US or Canada are not eligible.

Key features of International Accident Insurance are:

* Worldwide coverage (rates are higher for high risk countries)

* Option to renew the policy annually through age 64

* High Maximum Benefits - up to US$1,000,000 or higher.