Article at a glance
- Travel medical emergencies can happen anywhere, from a simple stomach bug in Bali to altitude sickness in Peru.
- While some countries do have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with Australia, many countries don’t honour Medicare - you’ll pay full price.
- TID travel insurance can help Australians avoid huge overseas medical bills with emergency medical cover, evacuation support, and 24/7 emergency assistance.
- You’ll learn what cover is available for medical events, what to watch out for (like exclusions for risky behaviour or certain existing medical conditions), and tips to make claims easier.
- Always make sure you read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Consider the limits, terms, conditions and exclusions.
No one plans to get sick or injured while travelling, but it happens. From unexpected hospital stays to emergency dental expenses or a medical evacuation, we offer cover for a range of emergency medical expenses while you’re overseas, whether you’re trekking in Peru or cruising the Mediterranean.
Why should I consider travel insurance for medical reasons?
Medical expenses are amongst the most claimed upon travel insurance benefit. Depending on what part of the world you're in, a trip to a doctor or emergency room could cost thousands of dollars.
Our overseas travel insurance plans offer benefits including:
- Overseas medical expenses cover for unexpected illness or injury, including hospital stays, surgeries and medications.
- Emergency dental expenses: if you chip a tooth or develop a painful infection while travelling.
- Medical evacuation: if you need to be transported to a better-equipped medical facility, or even repatriated back to Australia.
- 24/7 emergency assistance: connecting you with local medical services and interpreters if needed.
- Adventure and sport activities: Check whether activities like skiing, scuba diving or hiking are covered. TID may cover you for more than 90 adventure activities and sports.
- Claim support: Get access to our easy online claims portal.
The features and benefits described are a summary of cover only. Cover is subject to the full terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
What does the Overseas medical expenses section
offer cover for?
Cover is available for the reasonable and necessary cost of:- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital expenses
- Road ambulance
- Emergency dental treatment
- Other treatment you actually and necessarily receive overseas during the trip because you suffer a sudden illness or serious injury
What's not covered by the Overseas medical expenses section?
- Any medical or dental expenses incurred in Australia
- Costs associated with any non-emergency medical treatment (e.g. plastic surgery, elective surgery)
- Medical expenses that can be covered under a reciprocal healthcare agreement Australia has with another country
- Private health treatment you received when a public option was available for your condition
- Any expenses arising from an existing condition not covered by the policy
The features and benefits described are a summary of cover only. Cover is subject to the full terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement.
What do I need to look out for when it comes to medical cover?
When considering travel insurance for overseas medical expenses, you need to know what’s covered and what’s not. Not all policies are the same, so here are some key tips:
- Existing medical conditions: Some conditions may be automatically covered, while others require assessment. Our policies automatically cover over 40 existing medical conditions.
- Travel insurance for pregnancy: If you’re thinking of taking a babymoon, TID provides cover for pregnancy up to the end of the 26th
- Avoid risky behaviour: Injuries from excessive alcohol or any drug use may not be covered. Always follow local laws and stay safe.
- Documentation is key: Keep copies of medical reports, receipts, discharge summaries and any other relevant documents to support your claim.
Traveller tip: Some countries like the USA, Japan and Switzerland have extremely high medical costs. Consider TID travel insurance for overseas medical emergencies. Visit our FAQs for answers to key questions. Contact us if you need further help understanding your policy.
What medical scenarios are covered with travel insurance?
TID’s policies cover several emergency medical situations that can happen while travelling abroad, including:
Protect yourself against unexpected medical bills on your next trip. Get a travel insurance quote today.
This is a brief summary of cover only and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. Read the PDS before purchasing.
Travel insurance for medical emergencies FAQs
What medical expenses are typically covered by travel insurance?
TID’s policies may cover overseas hospitalisation, surgery, doctor’s visits, prescription medication, emergency dental treatment, ambulance transport and more. Coverage also includes medical evacuation if required, and 24/7 emergency assistance.
What should I do if I need medical treatment overseas?
Contact the 24/7 emergency assistance team as soon as possible. They can direct you to a local medical provider, help with translations, and advise on next steps.
Will my travel insurance cover emergency evacuation back to Australia?
Yes, if it is medically necessary and approved by the Emergency Assistance team. This includes medical transport to a nearby hospital or repatriation to Australia for further treatment.
What documents do I need to claim?
Always keep doctor reports, hospital records, receipts, and any discharge summaries. You’ll need them when submitting a claim online.
Does travel insurance cover COVID-19-related medical expenses?
Yes, TID policies offer cover for COVID-19-related overseas medical expenses. You may also be covered for Coronavirus travel cost benefits if you choose Comprehensive or Annual Multi-trip cover.
This is a brief summary of cover only and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. Read the PDS before purchasing.
Travel insurance plans for every type of holiday
We have four plans to choose from, each offering a different level of cover. Check out each of the plans below where you'll find loads of information about each one.
The Works
Our most popular plan, The Works offers cover for international trips. It includes cover for medical expenses overseas, cancellation costs, cover for luggage and personal effects and more.
The Basics
Sticking to a shoestring budget? Our budget plan is designed for travellers who want coverage for all the important things, like hospital bills and stolen luggage, without breaking the bank.
Annual
Are you a frequent flyer? If you travel often for business, or have a few holidays coming up, our Annual Multi Trip plan could be for you. Made for globetrotters, your trips can be up to 35 days in duration and there is no limit to the number of trip you can take during a 12 month period.
This is a brief summary of cover only and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. Consider the PDS and TMD before purchasing.