Travel insurance for overseas medical expenses
Embarking on an international journey is exciting, but unforeseen medical emergencies can disrupt your plans and lead to substantial unforeseen expenses.
- Why overseas medical coverage is important
- What’s not included in overseas medical expenses cover?
- Travel tips for managing medical emergencies abroad
- Frequently asked questions
We offer coverage for overseas medical emergencies, in case you need to see a doctor or a dentist, you end up in hospital, or an injury or medical incident means you need to be evacuated to the nearest medical facility or repatriated back home.
Why overseas medical coverage is important
While travelling abroad, Australian Medicare benefits typically don't apply, leaving you vulnerable to high medical costs in foreign healthcare systems. Considering travel insurance with overseas medical coverage is important as it may come in handy during unexpected situations.
Our international travel insurance plans—Comprehensive, Essentials, and Annual Multi Trip may provide coverage for various medical emergencies:
- Emergency medical expenses: Coverage for reasonable and necessary emergency medical, hospital, and ambulance expenses overseas due to sudden illness or injury.
- Existing medical conditions: Automatic coverage for over 40 existing medical conditions, with the option to apply for additional conditions not automatically covered (not available on the Essentials plan). Please note you will be required to do a medical screening test.
- Companion travel expenses: If hospitalised with a sudden, life-threatening injury or illness during your trip, coverage includes a return economy class airfare and reasonable accommodation for a friend or relative to travel directly to you.
- Dental treatment: Coverage for dental treatment expenses arising from an injury to healthy natural teeth that cannot be delayed until your return to Australia.
- Medical evacuation and repatriation: If deemed medically necessary, coverage includes evacuation to the nearest medical facility or repatriation back to Australia.
What’s not included in overseas medical expenses cover?
Some things we don’t cover include:
- Any medical, hospital, dental or ambulance expenses you incur in Australia.
- A loss arising from your evacuation or repatriation that is not medically necessary or that is undertaken without our consent.
- A loss arising from any existing medical condition that you or a member of your travelling party suffer from, which is NOT automatically covered, which you did not disclose, and which is not an accepted Specified Medical Condition.
- Any illness or death that arises from a metastatic or terminal prognosis that was made prior to the issue of the Certificate of Insurance.
- A loss arising from any condition for which you have declined treatment or further investigation recommended by a medical practitioner.
- Medical expenses arising from you travelling with the intention of receiving medical treatment.
- Travelling against the advice of a doctor.
What’s covered will depend on the plan you buy, so it’s worth considering these questions:
- How fit and healthy am I, and do I need to get sign off from my doctor before attempting any physically demanding outdoor activities and sports?
- What, if any, existing medical conditions do I have and are they covered?
- Am I travelling with someone who is pregnant or needs medical attention and will they be covered?
- How much cover will I need for my specific travel needs and anyone else travelling with me?
Get a quote for your nib travel insurance today.
- Pre-trip health check: Consult your healthcare provider before travelling to ensure you're fit for travel and discuss any necessary vaccinations or health precautions.
- Know your coverage: Familiarise yourself with your policy's terms and conditions, inclusions, exclusions, and procedures for medical emergencies to avoid surprises during a crisis.
- Carry essential documents: Keep a copy of your insurance policy, emergency contact numbers, and any medical information accessible during your trip.
- Immediate communication: In the event of a medical emergency, contact the emergency assistance team to coordinate care and confirm coverage.
- Maintain records: Document all medical treatments and expenses incurred to support any necessary claims upon your return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact the 24/7 emergency assistance team immediately for guidance on accessing appropriate medical care and arranging payment for covered services. The team can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you in the event of an emergency and to liaise on your behalf with our in-house medical team.
If medically necessary, nib can arrange and cover your evacuation to the nearest suitable medical facility or repatriating you back to Australia.
Keep all medical reports, receipts, and any correspondence related to your treatment. Submit these documents online in your member account when you submit a claim.
The above features and benefits are a summary of cover only. Cover is subject to the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement.
Important: Medical/evacuation benefits provided for up to 12 months from the date of illness or injury; medical expenses incurred in Australia are not covered.