Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Foreign travel and health insurance

Thinking of taking a European vacation or visiting the egyptian pyramids? Make sure you check your health insurance before you leave. If you get sick while traveling, your insurer may not pay your medical bills.


Tips to consider

  • If you're traveling abroad for a short time, most travel health coverage is affordable, although the coverage may be linked to your purchase of other types of insurance, such as trip-cancellation insurance.
  • Before you travel abroad, ask your health plan about any coverage limits. If you're traveling for an extended period of time to study or work, you may want to buy additional coverage.
  • Vacation insurance policies typically only cover short-term travel — such as two weeks. If you're planning on a longer trip, make sure you've got enough coverage.

Limited coverage and other restrictions

Unlike regular health insurance, travel health plans may refuse coverage for some pre-exisiting conditions. They also may include a deductible that applies to each of your claims.

Are you on Medicare?

Keep in mind that Medicare doesn’t cover medical charges you incur outside the U.S. You should consider buying additional health insurance to cover yourself while traveling.

Companies that sell travel health insurance

Insurance companies that sell health insurance to Americans traveling abroad and to families of Americans who live abroad and want to visit the U.S.

  • Access America: 1-800-284-8300
  • Champion Insurance: 1-800-643-4675
  • CJET Global Travel Insurance: 206-283-8737
  • Peterson’s of L.A.: 1-800-345-8816
  • Travelex: 1-800-228-9792
  • Travel Assistance International: 1-800-821-2828
  • Travel Guard International: 1-800-782-5151


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