Here is a choice of competing, temporary international health and travel insurance plans that may be purchased online for "next-day" coverage. All plans are U.S.-Style.

Page Contents...
- Plan Comparison Table
- Atlas International
- Liaison Majestic
- Diplomat LT & Diplomat International
- TravelGap Excursion
- Quick-Pick Suggestions

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Atlas International... Short-Term International Health & Travel Insurance

Administered by MultiNational Underwriters, Inc.
Insured by Lloyd's, London.

Atlas International - Quote & Apply (opens in a new window)
Atlas International - Plan Brochure (opens in a new window)

Attention Expatriates - Atlas Plan Eligibility - Definition of "Home Country"
Temporary international health insurance plans cover you for travel outside of your "Home Country." For Atlas plan eligibility purposes, if you are a U.S. citizen, your "Home Country" is the United States, regardless of your principal place of residence.

This unique "Home Country" definition is important to U.S. expats who want or need Temporary international insurance, but who may not be eligible for other Temporary plans due to the definition of "Home Country."

Atlas "International" may be purchased in daily increments from 5 days up to one year. The plan may be renewed for up to 3 years of continuous coverage.

Plan Advantage - Travel back to the USA for follow-up treatment of a covered injury or illness is not excluded and allowed under the Atlas plan. The condition must have been first diagnosed or treated while outside of the USA (see Review Coverage at bottom of Atlas quote page). Note: upon arrival in the USA, the insurance plan terminates, but your present condition is covered for the balance of the plan Benefit Period.

Plan Advantage - If you are a US-citizen under age 70, you are covered for a sudden and unexpected Acute Onset of a Pre-Existing Condition up to a maximum of $15,000 (see plan literature for details).

Limitations to Note - The Atlas plan is underwritten (insured) by Lloyd's, London. Lloyd's is fully "admitted" in two states and "approved" in all others (see Consumer Tips, Temporary #5). Also, the plan definition of "pre-existing condition" is more ambiguous than we normally like (see Consumer Tips, Temporary #3).

However, the "Plan Advantages" noted above make the Atlas plan a strong fit for some expatriate insurance needs.

Atlas International - Quote & Apply (opens in a new Window)

What to Expect After You Apply - The plan administrator (MNUI) does not mail an insurance policy packet, unless specifically requested. When purchasing on-line, you are asked if you want "on-line fulfillment?" Unless you click the drop-down box and select otherwise, you will not be mailed a policy certificate and ID. There is no additional charge if you select "U.S. mail." In either case, please be sure to print your on-line insurance confirmation page or your e-mail insurance confirmation.

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Liaison Majestic...  Short-Term International Health & Travel Insurance

Administered by Seven Corners Inc.
Insured by AIG Insurance Company.

Liaison Majestic - Quote & Apply (opens in a new window)
Liaison Majestic - Sample Certificate (pdf file, opens in a new window)

Liaison Majestic may be purchased in daily increments, from 5 days up to one year. The plans may be renewed for up to 3 years of continuous coverage.

Plan Advantage - For U.S. citizens traveling outside the USA or Canada, this plan will pay up to $20,000 for the sudden and unexpected reoccurrence of a "pre-existing condition," (to $2500 for persons age 65 or over).

Plan Advantage - When traveling outside the USA or Canada, the look-back period for "pre-existing conditions" is only twelve (12) months (instead of 36 months).

Plan Advantage - in most states, insured by Nationwide Insurance, fully regulated.

Plan Advantage - Emergency medical evacuation (up to $300,000) is a separate benefit that does not count towards the policy's medical maximum and is not subject to the "pre-existing" exclusion for medical benefits. Also, back to "Home Country" is a specifically stated benefit.

Limitation to Note - Travel back to your home country (USA) for follow-up treatment of a covered injury or illness first diagnosed or treated while outside the USA is limited to $5000.

Liaison Majestic - Quote & Apply (opens in a new window)

What to Expect After You Apply - Upon completing your online application, a Confirmation page will appear. Within moments, you are sent a confirmation e-mail. Print the Confirmation page or e-mail and make extra copies. This is your insurance confirmation /ID card.

The confirmation/ID contains your policy number, insurance contact information, and critical "Pre-Notification" instructions. This is good, detailed information on using the plan and you should keep it handy in several locations.

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Diplomat... (2 Plan Choices) Short-Term International Health & Travel Insurance

Administered by Global Underwriters Inc.
Both Diplomat Plans Insured by AIG Insurance Company

Diplomat LT (renewable) - coverage for up to 36 months.

Diplomat LT - Quote & Apply (select "LT," opens in a new window)
Diplomat LT - Policy Details (opens in a new window)

Diplomat International (non-renewable) - coverage from 15 days to one year.

Diplomat International - Quote & Apply (opens in a new window)
Diplomat International - Policy Details (opens in a new window)

Plan Advantage - All Diplomat plans are insured by a US-domiciled insurance company (AIG) that is fully regulated ("admitted") in all 50 states.

Plan Advantage - All Diplomat plans have a 52 week Benefit Period, as compared to 26 weeks (or less) with most other temporary international health insurance plans.

Plan Advantage - Emergency Medical Evacuation (up to $300,000) is a separate benefit that does not count towards the policy's medical maximum and is not subject to the "pre-existing" exclusion for medical benefits. Also, back to "Home Country" is a specifically stated benefit.

Home Country Coverage Option - Optional rider for incidental trips back to your home country. See brochure for details.

Limitations to Note - There is no medical coverage for "pre-existing conditions," such as the limited coverage found in Liaison Majestic or Atlas International.

Diplomat LT (only) limits covered expenses to $1000 maximum for any illness that is first manifested, treated, or diagnosed during the first 30 days of coverage. Unless you are traveling to parts of Africa or other areas where chronic infectious diseases are more prevalent, the outstanding features of the Diplomat LT (52-week benefit period, renewable up to 3 years, Home Country option, etc.) may outweigh this limitation.

Diplomat Plans - Quote & Apply (opens in a new Window)

What to Expect After You Apply - Upon completing your online application, a confirmation page will appear. This page may be printed to immediately serve as your insurance ID. Within 1 or 2 business days, an insurance packet is mailed to your correspondence address. This packet will include your insurance policy, ID card, claim form, etc..

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TravelGap Excursion... Short-Term International Health & Travel Insurance

Administered by HTH Worldwide
Insured by HM Life Insurance Company, or Unicare Life

For short-term trips abroad (up to 180 days), if you have "primary insurance" in the USA  (e.g. group insurance, individual major medical, Medicare), then there are some good reasons to consider the TravelGap "Excursion" plan.

TravelGap Excursion - Quote & Apply (opens in a new window)
TravelGap Excursion - Plan Benefits (opens in a new window)
TravelGap Excursion - Sample Certificate ("pdf," opens in a new window)

Plan Advantage - "Excursion" plan only; there is no exclusion for pre-existing medical conditions. You must not be traveling against doctor's orders (see plan literature for all details).

Plan Advantage - medical evacuation wording specifically includes "back to home area."

A Limitation to Note - no extended "Benefit Period" (see Consumer Tips, Temp #2). To qualify for the "Excursion" plan, you must be enrolled in a "primary health plan" in the USA. In such case, an extended Benefit Period would likely be of little or no importance. Important: no extended "Benefit Period" is why we do not recommend the TravelGap "Voyager" plan, which does not require that you have "primary USA insurance" to qualify.

TravelGap Excursion - Quote & Apply (opens in a new window)

Quick Pick Suggestions . . .  Temporary International Health & Travel Insurance

Quick tips to help you find the right choice for your exact needs and situation. (Please be sure to see plan literature for exact plan wording.)

1. If you don't need or want follow-up medical coverage in the USA:
See Liaison Majestic, Diplomat Plans, and TravelGap Excursion. These plans have limited or no coverage for follow-up treatment in the USA. However, all feature fully regulated, USA-based insurance companies, along with other attractive plan features.

2. If you want the option of follow-up medical treatment covered in the USA:
See Atlas International (policy ends, but 180 day Benefit Period does not exclude treatment in your Home Country for a covered condition first diagnosed and treated while outside of your Home Country.)

3. If you want the longest "Benefit Period" available:
See the Diplomat Plans. (For a definition of "Benefit Period," see Consumer Tips.}

4. If you need coverage for a "pre-existing" medical conditions:
See Liaison Majestic, Atlas International, or TravelGap Excursion.

5. If emergency medical evacuation "back to Home Country" is important wording:
See Liaison, or Diplomat, or TravelGap Excursion.

6. If you need coverage for complications of pregnancy:
See Atlas International (first 26 weeks only) or TravelGap Excursion.

7. If you want full coverage to the policy maximum for terrorism:
See the Liaison Majestic.

8. If you are a U.S. citizen, but live abroad permanently and long-term:
See Atlas International. If a U.S. citizen, you are eligible for temporary coverage (renewable up to 3 years), even if your permanent residence is outside the U.S.

Three General Comments...

-- There is no single "best choice" for all situations. Insurance plan benefits and rates tend to look similar. The most significant differences are in the wording of plan terms and definitions, the wording by which your claims are paid . . . or not paid (Consumer Tips).

-- Temporary international insurance plans are for sudden and unexpected injury or illness while traveling away from your home country on a temporary basis. While not intended as a substitute for Long-Term (or annual) Major Medical insurance, under certain conditions, Temporary insurance is used as "primary" health coverage.

-- The international health insurance plans found here are not the same type of plans you might get from a travel agent (e.g. temporary trip insurance). These international health insurance plans are typically much more comprehensive. All contain benefits for hospitals, doctors, Rx, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, and more. (See plan literature for details. All plans subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions.)

Your questions are invited: E-mail me (Whit G., President, Liberty)         Top

               
International Health Insurance for virtually all Expatriate Insurance Needs.