Disclaimer: ClearValue Lending is not a licensed insurance agent or broker. This is general financial education — consult a licensed insurance agent in your state for advice specific to your situation.
Most US travelers head abroad with one of two assumptions: "my health insurance covers me overseas" or "nothing bad will happen." The first is often wrong. The second is the logic behind every insurance product ever sold.
The US health insurance gap abroad
Check your specific plan — but don't assume it covers you internationally. Per CDC travel health guidance, many US health insurance plans provide no international coverage. Others cover emergency treatment only, at out-of-network cost-sharing that can leave you with a large bill. A smaller number include comprehensive international coverage.
Medicare is a hard no. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover medical care outside the United States. This is not an ambiguous gray area. Per Medicare.gov, Medicare pays nothing for foreign medical services in almost all circumstances. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited emergency foreign coverage — verify your specific plan.
The practical implication: if you're over 65, on Medicare, and traveling internationally, you need supplemental travel health coverage for every trip.
Medical evacuation: the $100,000 exposure most travelers ignore
Standard travel inconveniences — lost bags, a flight delay, a stolen phone — have bounded financial consequences. Emergency medical evacuation doesn't.
Per the US State Department, emergency medical evacuation from a foreign country to the US can cost $50,000–$200,000 or more, depending on:
- Destination (remote or resource-limited areas cost more)
- Condition severity (air ambulance with ICU staff vs. medical escort on commercial flight)
- Distance
Most US health insurance plans either exclude evacuation or have coverage limits far below actual costs. Travel insurance policies that include evacuation coverage, or standalone emergency evacuation memberships, transfer this specific risk.
International business travel? Business financing follows the same principle.
Business owners traveling internationally for growth often need working capital, equipment financing, or international trade support. ClearValue Lending connects businesses with lender partners. Subject to lender partner approval.
Start a business application→Trip cancellation: covered reasons vs. any reason
Standard trip cancellation coverage covers cancellation for defined covered reasons — typically: your illness or injury, death of a travel companion or family member, natural disaster at the destination, terrorism, job loss, or jury duty. Read the covered reasons list carefully; it's finite.
"I decided not to go," "I'm nervous about civil unrest," or "work got busy" are not covered reasons. If you want coverage for any cancellation, purchase a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade. CFAR typically reimburses 50–75% of prepaid non-refundable trip costs and must be purchased within 14–21 days of your initial trip deposit — not the night before travel.
State Department advisories and policy coverage
Check the US State Department travel advisory for your destination before purchasing travel insurance. Some policies exclude coverage for trips to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or Level 4 (Do Not Travel) destinations if the advisory was in place before you purchased the policy. Purchasing travel insurance before any advisory is issued provides broader coverage. Purchasing after an advisory is issued for your destination may create exclusions for that specific risk.
Related: Travel Insurance for Cruises | Travel Insurance for Domestic Trips