Understanding what international travel insurance covers is the first step to traveling protected and worry-free. From an unexpected medical emergency in the United States to losing your luggage at a European airport, a good policy is your best ally. In this comprehensive guide, we break down each coverage so you know exactly what you are purchasing and can choose the perfect plan for your next adventure.
Understanding what international travel insurance covers is the first step to traveling protected and worry-free. From an unexpected medical emergency in the United States to losing your luggage at a European airport, a good policy is your best ally. In this comprehensive guide, we break down each coverage so you know exactly what you are purchasing and can choose the perfect plan for your next adventure.
International Travel Insurance: Discover What It Covers and Choose the Ideal Plan
Medical Coverage: The Heart of Your International Travel Insurance
Medical assistance is, without a doubt, the cornerstone of any international travel insurance. Healthcare costs abroad, especially in countries like the United States or Canada, can amount to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for a single event. Having robust coverage isn't a luxury; it's a fundamental necessity to protect your health and finances. Below, we detail the essential medical coverages you should look for.
Emergency Medical Assistance (Accident or Illness)
This is the main and most important coverage. It activates when you suffer an accident or a non-pre-existing illness of sudden onset during your trip. It covers a wide range of expenses that may arise from a medical emergency, ensuring you receive necessary care without having to pay exorbitant sums out of your pocket.
What this coverage generally includes:
- Medical Consultations and Professional Fees: Covers the cost of seeing a general practitioner or a specialist to diagnose and treat your condition.
- Hospitalization: If your condition requires you to be admitted to a hospital, the insurance covers room expenses, nursing care, and hospital services.
- Surgical Interventions: In case of needing emergency surgery, such as an appendectomy or fracture repair, the policy covers the costs of the operating room, surgeon, anesthetist, and necessary materials.
- Prescription Medications: Covers the cost of drugs prescribed by a doctor as part of the treatment for your emergency.
- Diagnostic Examinations and Tests: Includes X-rays, CT scans, blood tests, and other studies necessary for an accurate diagnosis.
At Baraglo, we understand that every trip and every traveler is different. That's why we offer different coverage limits for you to choose the one that best suits your destination and budget. Our plans range from the Basic Plan with USD 20,000 coverage, ideal for short trips in South America, to our Premium Plan, which protects you with up to USD 100,000, providing maximum peace of mind for destinations with high medical costs. For travel to the United States, where a medical emergency can cost tens of thousands of dollars, a coverage of at least USD 50,000, like Baraglo's Essential Plus plan, is recommended.
Emergency Dental Expenses
An intense toothache, an infection, or a broken tooth due to an accident can ruin any trip. Emergency dental expense coverage is designed to resolve these painful unforeseen events. It's important to understand that this assistance is limited to emergencies requiring immediate attention to relieve pain, treat an infection, or repair trauma. It does not cover cosmetic treatments (such as whitening), routine cleanings, orthodontics, or procedures that can wait until your return home.
Medical and Funeral Repatriation
This is one of the most critical and often underestimated coverages. Its importance lies in the astronomical costs it can entail.
- Medical Repatriation: If you suffer a serious accident or illness and, upon medical recommendation, need to be transported back to your country of origin in an air ambulance or with medical accompaniment, this coverage handles the logistical and medical costs of the transfer. A medicalized flight can easily cost between USD 50,000 and USD 100,000 depending on the distance and complexity of the case.
- Funeral Repatriation: In the unfortunate event of the insured's death during the trip, this coverage handles the costs and procedures necessary for the transfer of the body back to their country of residence. This is a complex and costly process that, without insurance, can represent a devastating financial and emotional burden for the family.
Medical Evacuation
This should not be confused with repatriation. Medical evacuation (or medical transfer) covers transportation from the location of the emergency to the nearest and most appropriate medical center to treat your condition. This is especially vital if you are in a remote, rural area or on a cruise, where local medical facilities may not be sufficient to handle a complex emergency. Coverage includes transportation by land ambulance, helicopter, or plane, as dictated by the urgency and geography.
Key Assistance Beyond Medical
Excellent international travel insurance not only protects you medically. It also offers a range of assistance designed to resolve the most common logistical and financial problems that may arise during a trip, providing you with a comprehensive safety net. From luggage problems to unexpected events that force you to cancel your adventure, these coverages make the difference between a bad time and a travel catastrophe.
Lost or Delayed Luggage
Arriving at your destination and discovering your suitcase isn't on the baggage carousel is one of the most frustrating experiences for a traveler. This is where luggage coverage comes into play, working in two ways:
- Luggage Delay: If your luggage is delayed for a certain number of hours (usually more than 6 or 12 hours), the insurance provides financial compensation so you can purchase essential items (clothing, toiletries) while you wait. You must keep all receipts to request reimbursement.
- Lost or Stolen Luggage: If the airline declares your luggage permanently lost, or if it is stolen, the insurance compensates you up to a maximum limit stipulated in your policy. This compensation is supplementary to what the airline should offer. It is essential that you make a formal claim with the airline (Property Irregularity Report or PIR) immediately, as this document is indispensable for processing with the insurance.
Trip Cancellation or Interruption
Sometimes, unforeseen events happen before boarding the plane or right in the middle of your dream vacation. This coverage financially protects you in both scenarios.
- Trip Cancellation (pre-trip): If you must cancel your trip before it begins due to a covered force majeure event, the insurance reimburses you for non-recoverable expenses you have already paid (flights, hotels, tours). Valid reasons usually include: a serious illness or accident of yourself, your travel companion, or a direct family member; being summoned as a party or witness in a trial; or serious damage to your home or professional premises.
- Trip Interruption (during the trip): If you are already traveling and must return home early for one of the covered reasons (such as the death or serious illness of a direct family member), the insurance covers the cost difference of the new return ticket and, in some cases, the unused portion of your trip services.
Legal Assistance for Accident Liability
Nobody plans to have legal problems abroad. However, a minor traffic accident for which you are found responsible or a similar situation can lead to legal complications. This coverage provides you with a team of lawyers and covers legal fees and bail up to the limit specified in your policy, giving you the necessary support to face a legal process in a country with unfamiliar laws and language.
COVID-19 Coverage
In the post-pandemic world, traveling with the security of being covered against a COVID-19 infection is essential. This coverage gives you peace of mind that, if you test positive during your trip, the medical expenses incurred will be covered. This includes consultations, hospitalization if necessary, medications, and tests. Additionally, some plans may include coverage for trip cancellation if you test positive just before departure or for additional hotel expenses if you must comply with a mandatory quarantine at your destination. It's peace of mind that is priceless. All Baraglo plans, from the Basic at $3.19/day, include medical emergency coverage related to COVID-19.
Comparing Baraglo Plans: Which One Is Yours?
Choosing the right plan fundamentally depends on your destination, the duration of your trip, and the level of peace of mind you seek. At Baraglo, we have designed specific plans for each type of Latin American traveler, ensuring you always have the right coverage at the best price. Below, we help you identify which plan is ideal for you.
To facilitate your decision, we have created this comparison table with our most popular plans. Remember that all prices are per person and per day. For travelers over 75 years old, a 50% surcharge on the base fare applies.
| Baraglo Plan |
Price Per Day (USD) |
Main Medical Coverage |
Ideal for... |
| Basic |
$3.19 |
USD 20,000 |
Short trips to South American countries with moderate medical costs. |
| Schengen Visa |
$2.99 |
USD 30,000 |
Citizens of Dominican Rep., Ecuador, and Bolivia applying for a Schengen visa. |
| Standard |
$4.99 |
USD 35,000 |
Trips to Europe and the Schengen Area (meets the €30,000 requirement). |
| Essential Plus |
$5.29 |
USD 50,000 |
Trips to the United States, Canada, Asia, or for travelers seeking robust protection. |
| Premium |
$8.99 |
USD 100,000 |
Maximum peace of mind at any destination, especially the U.S., and for travelers with valuable equipment. |
For Short Trips to South America
If your plan is a getaway to destinations like Colombia, Peru, or Argentina, where medical costs are relatively moderate compared to North America or Europe, our Basic Plan is an excellent option. For just $3.19 a day, you get solid USD 20,000 coverage for medical emergencies, plus key assistance like luggage coverage. It's the most economical way to travel protected in the region.
For the United States or Canada
Here, the rules of the game change. The healthcare system in the United States and Canada is private and extremely expensive. A simple emergency room visit for a sprain can cost thousands of dollars, and hospitalization for something more serious like appendicitis can exceed USD 40,000. For these destinations, skimping on coverage is a huge financial risk. That's why we recommend at least our Essential Plus Plan, which for $5.29 daily offers you USD 50,000 in coverage. For total peace of mind, the Premium Plan with USD 100,000 in coverage is the best investment. Purchasing travel insurance for the United States with high coverage is not an option, it is an obligation.
For Europe and the Schengen Area
If you are a citizen of most Latin American countries (such as Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, etc.), you do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Area for up to 90 days. However, having medical insurance is a mandatory immigration requirement. Authorities require a minimum coverage of €30,000 (approximately USD 32,500) that is valid throughout the territory. Our Standard Plan is perfect for this purpose: for $4.99 a day, it offers USD 35,000, exceeding the requirement. Travel insurance for the Schengen Area requires a minimum coverage of €30,000; Baraglo's Standard Plan offers USD 35,000, complying with regulations. If you seek greater peace of mind, the Essential Plus Plan is also an excellent alternative.
Schengen Visa Requirement (for Dominicans, Ecuadorians, and Bolivians)
If you are a citizen of the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, or Bolivia, you need to apply for a Schengen Visa to travel to Europe. One of the requirements for the Schengen Visa is to present a travel insurance policy that meets very specific consular requirements. To facilitate this process, we have created the Schengen Visa Plan. For just $2.99 a day, this plan offers USD 30,000 in coverage (equivalent to the €30,000 requirement), medical and funeral repatriation, and all the necessary conditions for your visa application to be accepted without setbacks. For citizens of the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Bolivia applying for the Schengen visa, Baraglo offers a specific plan for $2.99/day that meets all consular requirements.
What Travel Insurance Generally Does NOT Cover
As important as knowing what your policy covers is understanding its exclusions. Being transparent about what is not included helps avoid misunderstandings and false expectations. Travel insurance is designed to cover sudden, accidental, and unforeseeable events, not to finance planned treatments or cover consequences of reckless acts.
Pre-existing Conditions
A pre-existing condition is any medical condition (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, heart problems) for which you have already received treatment or diagnosis before the start of your trip. Generally, routine treatments or expected complications of these conditions are not covered. However, Baraglo's plans do cover the first emergency medical assistance in case of an acute and unforeseen crisis of a pre-existing condition, stabilizing the patient up to the coverage limit specified for this item.
Extreme Sports Practiced Professionally
Most travel insurance policies, including Baraglo's, cover amateur practice of many sports and adventure activities (such as trekking, snorkeling, kayaking, or skiing on marked slopes). However, there is a key distinction: professional practice, participation in competitions, or training for them are usually excluded. Likewise, high-risk sports such as skydiving, high-altitude mountaineering, or deep-sea diving may require specific additional coverage. It is always advisable to consult your plan's conditions if you plan to engage in unusual activities.
Travel to War Zones or Conflict Areas
Standard travel insurance policies exclude coverage in countries or regions where travel warnings are issued by government agencies due to war, terrorism, civil unrest, or political instability. Traveling to a destination against official warnings nullifies the validity of your insurance.
Preventive or Routine Treatments and Aesthetics
The purpose of travel insurance is to attend to emergencies, not planned medical care. Therefore, it does not cover:
- Routine medical check-ups.
- Cosmetic treatments (plastic surgery, Botox, etc.).
- Fertility treatments.
- Preventive consultations or treatments.
- Refilling prescriptions for medications you use regularly.
Any procedure that is not an unforeseen medical emergency must be planned and paid for by you.
Ready to travel with the peace of mind you deserve? Don't leave your safety to chance. Choosing the right international travel insurance is the smartest decision you can make before embarking. Compare our plans and find the perfect coverage for your next destination. It's fast, easy, and guarantees you protection against any unforeseen event! Get a quote for your travel insurance here and travel safely with Baraglo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important thing international travel insurance should cover?
The most important thing is emergency medical assistance, covering hospitalization, surgeries, and medical repatriation. High coverage in this area, ideally over USD 50,000 for destinations like the U.S., is crucial.
Does my international travel insurance cover me if I get sick with COVID-19?
Yes, all Baraglo plans include medical assistance coverage in case you contract COVID-19 during your trip. This covers necessary medical expenses arising from the illness.
Does travel insurance cover flight cancellation?
It covers the cancellation of your trip due to force majeure reasons stipulated in the policy, such as a serious illness of yourself or a direct family member. It does not cover cancellations by the airline; in that case, the airline is responsible.
What happens if I have a pre-existing condition?
Generally, planned treatments for pre-existing conditions are not covered. However, Baraglo insurance policies do cover the first emergency medical assistance for an acute and unforeseen exacerbation of a pre-existing condition.
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