What does travel health insurance cover?
Travel health insurance can cover accidents and illnesses abroad. Comparis shows what this insurance covers and who might need it.
26.07.2024
Adobe Stock/THANAGON
1. Travel insurance from your health insurer: what is it?
Travel health insurance usually covers medical emergencies abroad. These models are common:
Short-term travel insurance: limited to the period of the trip.
Long-term travel insurance: effective for 365 consecutive days.
Travel coverage in supplemental insurance: an integral part of supplemental health insurance.
What does travel health insurance cover?
What the health insurer pays depends on the benefits defined in the contract. The following benefits are usually covered for illnesses and accidents:
Medical treatment in the event of accident or illness
Missing person searches
Rescue
Transport to the hospital
Return transport (repatriation)
Travel health insurance: differences in coverage and price
Travel coverage added to supplemental insurance varies from insurer to insurer. Compare both the premiums and the benefits before signing.
2. What do (and don’t) basic insurance and accident insurance pay for?
Basic insurance and accident insurance generally pay for medically necessary treatment abroad – but there can also be considerable restrictions.
In short:
The accident insurance organized by your employer pays for rescue, transport and treatment in the event of an accident. Maximum amounts and restrictions on the choice of hospital and doctor apply depending on the country.
Generally, basic insurance pays for at least part of the treatment required for medical emergencies. It usually also covers some of the costs of transport to the hospital.
In the event of an accident: accident insurance pays up to 29,640 francs for rescue and transport costs incurred abroad.
In case of illness (e.g. heart attack): basic insurance does not cover the costs of rescue operations outside Switzerland or return transport to Switzerland (repatriation). However, it will pay for half of the transport to the nearest hospital in an emergency – up to a maximum of 500 francs per calendar year.
The rules also apply to accidents if the person has accident insurance included in their basic insurance.
In the event of an accident abroad: the accident insurance will only reimburse up to twice the amount it would pay for treatment in Switzerland.
It pays the costs according to local practice in EU/EFTA countries and the UK. However, this requires treatment in a public hospital or medical practice that invoices according to the basic rate of the relevant country.
In case of illness: taking into account out-of-pocket expenses, basic insurance covers the costs incurred for an emergency abroad. It only pays up to twice the amount it would pay for treatment in Switzerland.
It pays the costs according to local billing practices in EU/EFTA countries and the UK – this also applies to out-of-pocket expenses. The Swiss system with the deductible and coinsurance does not apply here.
The rules of basic insurance also apply to accidents if the person has accident cover included in their basic insurance instead of accident insurance.
3. When does travel insurance make sense?
Travel insurance is worth taking out if you want to minimize the financial risks of an accident or illness while travelling.
Emergencies abroad can quickly cost several thousand francs. Travel insurance closes any gaps in coverage.
4. Traditional travel insurance vs. supplemental insurance: what are the differences?
In principle, both models cover medical emergencies abroad.
Here’s how they differ:
| Traditional travel insurance | Supplemental insurance with travel cover |
|---|---|
| Traditional travel insurance is taken out at short notice for one trip or the entire year. | Supplemental insurance is usually taken out for the entire year. |
| Classic travel insurance companies usually do not offer other health benefits. Other benefits are usually included instead. Popular options include cancellation insurance, luggage insurance or vehicle assistance in the event of a breakdown. | Supplemental insurance with travel coverage from health insurers offers other health-related benefits in addition to travel health insurance. For example: benefits for health prevention, gym memberships, health promotion, supplemental dental cover and alternative medicine. |
Find out more about travel insurance here.
Are you going abroad for an extended period?
Our article Sabbaticals: insurance checklist tells you what to bear in mind when travelling abroad for a longer period of time.
5. How much does supplemental insurance with travel cover cost?
Simple supplemental insurance for healthcare costs abroad in the event of an accident or illness – plus search and rescue and transport costs – is around 15 francs per month.
Coverage for medical emergencies abroad is usually part of a supplemental insurance package with other health benefits.
6. How do I take out travel insurance with health insurance?
As usual with supplemental insurance, admission is by application. You need to fill out a health questionnaire from the health insurer.
The insurer has the right not to insure you or to impose conditions. Supplemental insurance with travel cover is taken out for the entire year.
7. Tips on health insurance and other insurance abroad
Don’t leave your health insurance card at home: this way you have proof of insurance on you – and can have treatment billed directly to the card through your basic insurance.
Keep in mind: the European health insurance card is on the back of your Swiss health insurance card.
Before you travel, check with your health insurer, travel agent and credit card company if you already have international coverage. This way, you avoid double insurance.
In the event of a claim event, contact your insurance company immediately. This ensures that you can take advantage of all the services available and that your medical care and the assumption of costs are handled smoothly.
This article was first published on 18.06.2024
