When you picture your dream vacation, it’s easy to focus on sightseeing, amazing food, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. But what happens if your dream detours into an emergency room visit?
The truth is that unexpected illnesses or injuries can strike at any time, even in the most beautiful destinations. Whether you catch a stomach bug in Europe or sprain your ankle hiking in Costa Rica, you might find yourself or a traveling companion in need of hospital care during your trip.
If that happens, travel insurance can make all the difference. Not only can it help protect you financially from the cost of emergency treatment, but it also gives you access to our 24/7 emergency assistance team, so you're not alone when navigating unfamiliar health care systems abroad.
Here’s what you need to know to get the help you need to stay on track with your travel goals, even if your journey takes an unexpected turn.
5 key steps if you need to go to a hospital abroad
1. Contact our 24/7 emergency assistance team.
If you have a serious medical concern while traveling, time is of the essence. Start by contacting the emergency assistance provider listed in your travel insurance documents. This team is available around the clock and staffed with medical professionals who can help assess your situation and direct you to the appropriate care.
They’ll talk through your symptoms or incident and quickly guide you to the nearest hospital that can handle your needs. This step alone can save you stress and valuable time, especially if you’re in a foreign country and are unsure of how to get proper medical help.
2. Get help finding and reaching the nearest emergency room.
Once the assistance team identifies the right facility, they may also help coordinate how to get there. If you're not in a condition to make the trip yourself, then they can help arrange transportation, such as an ambulance, to ensure you arrive safely.
Thanks to Cover-More’s access to a global network of medical providers, our emergency assistance team is often able to refer you to trusted hospitals in your location. That kind of reassurance is invaluable when you’re far from home.
3. Lean on the emergency assistance team throughout your treatment.
The support doesn’t stop once you walk through the hospital doors. Your emergency assistance team can remain involved throughout your care, helping coordinate with hospital staff, translating if there’s a language barrier, and assisting with medical records and treatment plans.
If a transfer is needed, or if there are questions about medication, follow-up care, or prescriptions, then the team can guide you through it. Having someone on your side while you're receiving care in an unfamiliar setting makes a big difference in how you manage and recover from the situation.
4. Keep all medical documents and receipts.
During or after your hospital visit, be sure to collect and save everything. Documentation is key if you want to file a travel insurance claim later.
This includes:
- Admission papers
- Discharge summaries
- Itemized medical bills
- Treatment or diagnosis summaries
- Doctor’s notes or recommendations
- Prescription receipts
Even if something seems minor at the time, it’s better to save it, just in case. These records help paint a clear picture of what happened and support your claim when you’re ready to submit it.
5. File a claim with your travel insurance provider.
Once you’ve received care and are stable, it’s time to file a claim. Depending on your policy, your insurance may help reimburse eligible costs associated with your hospital visit, including tests, treatments, and even prescriptions.
You can typically submit your travel insurance claim online, and keeping organized documentation will speed up the process. This way, you can recover some of the unexpected expenses and focus on your health and the rest of your journey.
You can’t rely on U.S. health insurance abroad.
One of the biggest misconceptions travelers have is assuming their U.S. health insurance will cover them while they’re traveling overseas. In fact, most domestic plans offer little or no international coverage, and those that do may have strict limitations or reimbursement-only policies.
This is where a travel insurance plan can be essential. Many plans include emergency medical and dental benefits, which takes the sting out of unexpected hospital costs while traveling. Travel insurance can offer a layer of protection that allows you to dream big and travel far without worrying about what might go wrong.
Travel insurance can cover more than medical emergencies
Hospital visits are just one aspect of travel insurance. Depending on the coverage you choose, your policy may also include other benefits, such as the following:
- Trip cancellation or interruption: If illness, injury, or other covered reasons force you to cancel or cut your trip short, you may be reimbursed for nonrefundable expenses.
- Travel delays: You may be reimbursed for extra meals or lodging if a covered delay keeps you grounded.
- Lost or damaged baggage: If your luggage doesn’t make it to your destination, or your belongings are stolen, you could be reimbursed for replacements.
- Accidental death and dismemberment: For serious travel incidents, this coverage can provide financial assistance for you or your family.
Every trip is different, and so is every travel protection policy. That’s why it’s important to review your travel insurance details before you leave, so you know exactly what’s included and how to use it if something unexpected happens.