International travel insurance checklist: check visa rules, medical cover, exclusions, adventure sports and claim steps before you fly. Ask Insurance Kro.
Before you fly abroad, check your visa rules, medical cover, exclusions, trip dates and how to claim. A short checklist can save you from big problems later. This guide gives you simple points to tick off.
Medical care abroad can be costly, and trips can change fast. A good plan gives you support when you need it.
Check if your visa needs insurance
Some countries ask for travel insurance as part of the visa. Rules differ by country and can change.
- Read the embassy or consulate rules for your destination
- Check if there is a minimum cover or a type of cover they ask for
- Make sure your policy dates match your whole stay, including the day you return
If you are not sure, ask the embassy before you buy.
Check the medical cover
Medical emergency is the most important part of an international plan. Look at:
- What is covered: Hospital stay, doctor visits and emergency help, as per the policy
- Limits: The maximum amount the plan will pay
- Cashless help: Whether the insurer can pay a hospital directly in some cases, or you must pay first and claim later
- Emergency helpline: A number you can call at any time
Our post on what is travel insurance explains the main covers.
Read the exclusions
Exclusions are things the plan will not pay for. Read them before you pay.
- Pre-existing conditions: Many plans do not cover them, or have limits
- Adventure sports: Activities like trekking at height, diving or similar sports may be excluded unless the plan says they are covered
- Alcohol and drugs: Harm linked to these is usually excluded
- Travel to certain places: Some plans exclude places with a known risk
- Routine checks: Normal check-ups and planned treatment are usually not covered
If you have a health condition, tell the insurer and ask how the plan treats it.
Check trip cancellation and delay cover
Plans differ a lot here. Check:
- Which reasons for cancellation are covered
- What papers you will need to prove the reason
- How long a flight delay must be before the plan pays
- What happens if you miss a connecting flight
Keep your booking papers safe. They will be needed if you claim.
Check baggage and passport cover
- What happens if your bag is lost or delayed
- Whether there is a limit on valuables like a camera or phone
- Help for a lost passport, such as costs to get new papers
- What proof the plan needs, such as a police report or an airline report
Keep a copy of your passport and visa on your phone and in your email.
Check the dates and the cover period
Many people make small mistakes here. Be sure that:
- The start date is before you leave.
- The end date covers your return, with some room if the trip runs late.
- The destination list in the plan includes every country you will visit.
- Names and passport details are correct for each traveller.
Check your policy wording to see what happens if you need to extend the trip.
Know the claim steps before you go
Before you fly, read how to claim:
- Whom to call in an emergency
- How soon to inform the insurer
- What papers you must collect on the spot, such as bills, medical reports and a police report
- Whether you must get approval before treatment in non-emergency cases
Save the helpline number in your phone and keep a printed copy of the policy.
Final checklist
- Visa rules checked
- Medical cover and limits understood
- Exclusions read
- Cancellation and delay terms clear
- Baggage and passport cover checked
- Dates and names correct
- Claim steps and helpline saved
Your regular health insurance may not work in the same way abroad, so do not assume it will. For a plan overview, see our travel insurance page.
Pack the papers before you pack your bag
Keep a small folder, on paper and on your phone, with your policy copy, the insurer's helpline number, your passport and visa copies, hotel and flight bookings, and a list of medicines you take. If something goes wrong, you will not need to search for these in a hurry. Share the policy details with a family member at home, so that someone can help you from a distance if needed.
FAQs
When should I buy international travel insurance?
Buy it soon after booking, so cancellation cover can work from the start. Check your policy wording for when cover begins.
Will my health insurance work abroad?
Often it has limits or does not work abroad. Check your policy or ask your insurer.
What if I need treatment in an emergency?
Call the helpline in your policy as soon as you can, and keep all bills and reports.
Do I need to tell the insurer about my health?
Yes. Hiding facts can lead to a rejected claim, so give true details.
Rules can change and differ by plan, so your policy document is always the final word. Insurance Kro can help you go through your options.
This guide is for information only. Rules and policy terms can change, and the policy document is final. Please read your policy wording.