Travel medical insurance is a policy designed primarily to cover unexpected medical and emergency costs while you're abroad. It typically covers emergency doctor visits, hospital stays, diagnostics, prescribed medication, medical evacuation (transport to a suitable facility), and repatriation (medically necessary return home). It focuses on protecting your health abroad rather than protecting your trip investment.

Core coverage includes: emergency medical treatment (doctor visits, ER care, urgent diagnostics), hospitalization and surgery, prescribed medications related to the emergency, medical evacuation to an appropriate facility, repatriation to your home country, 24/7 emergency assistance, and often limited emergency dental care. Some plans also include telemedicine access.

Travel medical insurance focuses specifically on medical risks—emergency care, evacuation, and repatriation. Travel insurance bundles medical coverage with trip-related protections like cancellation, interruption, delays, and baggage loss. If you mainly care about health emergencies and don't need trip cost protection, travel medical can be enough. If you have expensive bookings, full travel insurance covers your financial risk too.

You should strongly consider it if: traveling to a high-cost healthcare country (especially the USA), doing trips where hospital access matters (islands, remote areas, mountains), traveling at older ages or with higher health risk, wanting 24/7 assistance not just reimbursement, or needing compliant medical cover for visa or program requirements.

Medical evacuation covers the cost of transporting you to an appropriate medical facility—either within the country (from a rural area to a major hospital) or internationally. This can cost €20,000–€100,000+ depending on distance and complexity. Without evacuation coverage, you could be stuck at an inadequate facility or face devastating bills for medically necessary transport.

Repatriation coverage pays for your medically supervised return to your home country when treatment there is advisable or necessary. It also typically covers the cost of returning your remains if you die abroad. This prevents worst-case scenarios from becoming financially catastrophic for your family.

Common exclusions include: adventure sports and activities (skiing, scuba diving, motorcycles) unless added, alcohol- or drug-related incidents, pre-existing conditions (unless specifically accepted), failure to contact assistance before non-emergency treatment, travel to countries with active government warnings, and injuries from excluded activities or reckless behavior.

Policies vary widely. Some exclude anything linked to pre-existing conditions. Some cover acute unexpected flare-ups under stability rules (e.g., 6-12 months stable). Some require medical screening and may accept conditions with adjusted premiums. Always disclose accurately and check the specific policy terms.

Standard policies often exclude activities like skiing, scuba diving, trekking at altitude, and motorbiking/scooters. Many insurers offer add-ons for these activities at extra cost. Always verify your specific activities are covered before your trip—this is one of the most common 'I didn't know it was excluded' claim denials.

For emergencies: get care immediately, then contact assistance as soon as stable. For non-urgent situations: call assistance first (many policies require this). Always collect: medical report/diagnosis, itemized invoices, proof of payment, prescriptions, and discharge notes. Good documentation speeds up claims significantly.

Yes, Schengen visa applicants must have travel insurance with at least €30,000 medical coverage, including repatriation. However, the visa requirements specify what your policy must include, not that it must be 'medical-only.' A comprehensive travel insurance policy with strong medical coverage also meets the requirement.

Minimum €500,000 for most destinations, €1,000,000+ for the USA (where ER visits alone can cost €10,000+). Evacuation should be specifically included. For Schengen visas, €30,000 is the legal minimum, but more is always better. Consider your destination's healthcare costs and your personal risk factors.