Emergency Medical Travel Insurance

In the event of an accidental injury or sickness that warrants immediate medical attention during your trip, emergency medical travel insurance benefits may provide reimbursement for eligible medical expenses covered by the policy up to the maximum benefit. 30% of customers ranked the Emergency Medical benefit as the most important benefit. Read more. 

What warrants a Medical Emergency? 

In general, medical emergencies are defined as unexpected illnesses, injuries, or medical conditions that require immediate medical attention. 
Some examples of medical emergencies include: 
•    Accidents, such as a broken bone or a severe burn 
•    Illnesses, such as a heart attack, stroke, or appendicitis 
•    Allergic reactions or anaphylaxis 

What Is Covered by Emergency Medical Travel Insurance?  

AXA Travel Protection has your back when it comes to medical bills. If you get hurt or fall sick during your trip, we can help cover the costs mentioned in your policy. Remember, there might be limits on specific expenses, but overall, you are in good hands.  

What Medical Expenses are included?  

 We have a checklist of medical expenses that will cover the following:  

• Doctor Visits: If you need to see a doctor, AXA Travel Protection has you covered  

• Hospital Stuff: From hospital rooms to fancy operating rooms, we can take care of the bills  

• Medical Tests: Things like X-rays, lab tests and even those numbing shots can be part of the deal  

• Ride to the Rescue: If you need an ambulance, we can pick up the tab  

• Medications and Healing Help: Medicine and treatments 

• Dental Care Included If you accidentally hurt your teeth and need dental work, do not worry. AXA Travel Protection has a dental coverage plan just for that. But remember, the tooth injury and the dental fix-up must happen while you are on your trip.  

• Fair and Square Charges: AXA Travel Protection will not pay more than what is reasonable and standard for medical services. We want to keep things fair for everyone.  
   

What to Do in a Medical Emergency While Traveling 

If you have a medical emergency during your trip, staying calm and knowing what to do can make all the difference. If it’s serious, call the local emergency number or get to the nearest hospital or clinic. It’s a good idea to know the local emergency numbers before you travel. For example, in Europe, you’d dial 112, while many countries have 911 as an emergency number, just like in the US. 

They can guide you to the nearest recommended medical facility, help with language barriers and arrange transportation if needed. The AXA team is available 24/7. Keep your policy details and emergency numbers handy before you travel. 

Make sure to gather all the documents related to your treatment. This includes hospital bills, medical reports, and prescriptions. For example if you needed an ambulance to get to the hospital, save that receipt too. Your travel medical coverage should reimburse eligible expenses but you will need to prove what you paid for. 

If you’re in a serious situation, AXA can arrange a medical evacuation if you need to go back home for further treatment. But if your condition is manageable locally, follow the doctor’s instructions for full recovery. 
 

How Emergency Medical Evacuation Works 

When you need immediate, advanced medical care that the local hospital can’t provide, AXA’s emergency medical travel insurance kicks in. 

The process starts with an assessment by the local medical team and AXA’s 24/7 emergency assistance team gets involved straight away. They’ll talk to the local doctors to decide if an evacuation is needed. 

Once an evacuation is required, AXA will coordinate everything. This could be an air ambulance or a specially equipped ground transport vehicle, depending on the location and medical condition. AXA will ensure the transport is fully equipped to take care of your medical needs during the journey, which could include onboard medical personnel and equipment. 

In most cases, you will be taken to the nearest medical facility that can provide the level of care you need. If necessary, AXA will even arrange to bring you back home to receive further treatment. 

Your trip cancellation insurance might also come into play if you need to cut your trip short due to the evacuation. 
 

How to File an Emergency Medical Insurance Claim 

Once the emergency is over, file with AXA as soon as possible. Most travel medical insurance providers, including AXA, have a time frame within which you must notify them of the incident to start the claims process. Send all your documents, including medical reports and receipts, to avoid delays. Filing early means your claim will be processed quickly and any travel medical insurance costs you incurred will be reimbursed according to your policy. 

Here are the general documents to support your travel medical insurance claim 

• Medical reports from the hospital or clinic where you were treated. 

• Receipts for all medical expenses, doctor visits, hospital stays, medication, and treatments. 

• Documentation of any medical evacuations, if applicable and transportation costs related to the emergency. 
   

If any other documents are required, be ready to send them in quickly to avoid further delays. Keep your paperwork in order and it will speed up the reimbursement process.  

If you’re traveling somewhere where English isn't the primary language, try to get translations of important details. When you file a claim later, you’ll need these documents to prove that your expenses are eligible under your travel health insurance. 

Have your policy number ready when you call or submit the claim online. 

What Happens if You Are Sick Beyond Your Trip Ends? 

Imagine getting stuck in a hospital even after your trip's supposed to end. AXA Travel Protection covers you for up to 90 extra days if your injury or sickness first happens during your trip. This extension lasts until you're released from the hospital or until you reach the maximum benefit limit, whichever comes first. 

For example, if you develop an illness like a respiratory infection during your trip, and you’re still unwell when the trip ends, your travel insurance can help cover follow-up treatments, doctor visits, or even hospital stays after your return home. However, it's important that the illness or injury must have originated during the trip and not before it started. 

This protection ensures that travelers aren’t left facing high medical bills for conditions that began while they were abroad. 

However, emergency medical travel insurance works as secondary coverage. It means the policy will not cover any expenses provided by another party at no cost to you or already included within the cost of the trip.  

Common Misconceptions About Emergency Medical Travel Insurance 

There are many misconceptions about emergency accidents and sickness medical expenses that can lead travelers to misunderstand what’s covered. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths: 

Myth 1: My Domestic Health Insurance Will Cover Me Abroad 

Many travelers assume their U.S. health insurance will automatically cover them when they’re traveling internationally. But it doesn’t. Some policies may cover you abroad, but most won’t cover medical expenses outside the U.S. and you’ll be stuck with the bill. That’s why international travel medical insurance is a must—it will cover you when you’re traveling overseas. 

Myth 2: Emergency Medical Travel Insurance Only Covers Serious Injuries 

Another myth is that emergency travel insurance only covers major injuries, like broken bones or severe illnesses. But these policies cover a whole range of medical issues, from minor illnesses like infections or food poisoning to more serious conditions. Whether you need a doctor’s visit for a fever or more extensive care, your emergency medical travel insurance will cover the cost. 

Myth 3: Pre-Existing Conditions Are Never Covered 

Many travelers think pre-existing conditions are never covered but that’s not always true. Some policies, like AXA, will cover certain pre-existing conditions if you meet the eligibility criteria (e.g., purchasing the policy within a certain time frame). Check your policy details to see if and how pre-existing conditions are covered. 

Myth 4: I Don’t Need Insurance if I’m Only Going on a Short Trip 

Even if you’re only traveling for a few days, medical emergencies can still happen. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a two-week vacation, medical costs can add up fast if you’re not covered. Emergency medical travel insurance will give you peace of mind no matter how long your trip is. 

Myth 5: I Won’t Need Medical Evacuation if I’m in a Major City 

Big cities have good medical facilities, but they may not always have the specialized care you need in an emergency. Medical evacuation will transport you to the nearest capable facility or even back home if needed, no matter where you are. Having this coverage will save you thousands and get you the right care. 

Is Emergency Medical Expense coverage necessary? 

All three of AXA’s travel plans include Emergency Accident & Sickness Expense coverage. Maximum coverage per person is up to: 
 

Silver 

Maximum Benefit: $25,000 

Dental Expenses: $5,000 

Gold

Maximum Benefit: $100,000 

Dental Expenses: $5,000 

Platinum 

Maximum Benefit: $250,000 
Dental Expenses: $5,000 
 
File for a free quote to see the full range of coverage details. 

In Conclusion  

With AXA Travel Protection, you can relax and enjoy your trip with confidence while handling your unexpected medical bills. From accidents to sickness, we are here to support you. So, get out there and explore – AXA Travel Protection has your back!  
Other Travel Insurance Benefits: Trip Cancellation, Emergency Evacuation, Baggage Loss, Cancel For Any Reason, Trip Interruption, Medical Travel Benefit, Trip Delay 

Is Travel Insurance necessary? 

While travel insurance is not mandatory, it is highly recommended as it can offer protection against unforeseen circumstances that may arise during your trip, such as trip cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, and medical emergencies. 

Why choose AXA Travel Protection? 

With a global presence, AXA provides assistance with a wide range of features that include:  

• Extensive knowledge of local health risks and medical facilities to respond swiftly in the event of a medical emergency 

• 24/7 global team of travel experts that offers assistance and assurance while traveling 
   

How to get a Travel Insurance quote 

Receive a free quote within minutes 

Or call us at 855-327-1441 to speak with our licensed Travel Insurance Advisors. 

Monday-Saturday, 8 AM-7 PM Central Time 

Disclaimer: It is important to note that the specifics for Emergency Accident and Sickness Medical Expenses will depend on the policy selected, date of purchase, destination, and state of residency. Customers are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions of their policy and to contact AXA Partners with any questions or concerns they may have. 

Related Articles

How to Buy Travel Insurance            

How does Travel Insurance Work?

Comparing Travel Insurance 

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost 

Do I Need Travel Insurance

When Should I buy Travel Insurance 

What Does Travel Insurance NOT Cover

What Does Travel Insurance Cover