COVID-19 FAQs
Comprehensive Trip Protection Plan FAQs
Travel Medical Plan FAQs
Travel comes with risks but travel insurance can safeguard you from certain financial losses that often occur while traveling. If you must cancel your trip for a covered reason, for example, trip cancellation/interruption benefits can reimburse you for your non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs (up to the amount of your plan limits). If your travel bags get stolen during your trip, baggage loss/damage benefits can reimburse you for the loss. Depending on the plan you choose, travel insurance also can reimburse eligible medical costs in case of a covered medical or dental emergency; reimburse you for losses caused by a covered travel delay or baggage delay and provide emergency assistance and medical evacuation and repatriation if needed.
The non-refundable costs include pre-paid trip deposits or payments that would be lost if you had to cancel for a covered reason prior to your trip departure. These include non-refundable cancellation charges imposed by the travel suppliers, airfare cancellation charges for flights in connection with your trip commencing within one day of the travel arrangements and coverage for the reissue fee charged by the airline for the tickets, or for the cost charged by the airline to retain your frequent flyer miles if not used to purchase the airline ticket in conjunction with this Trip. You must have covered the entire cost of the Trip including the airfare. Some examples of pre-paid non-refundable expenses may include vacation rental costs, campground fees, rental car fees, tickets for tours or events, plus hotel/resort and airline ticket costs. Determine those costs by reviewing your trip reservation documents or consulting with your travel suppliers to determine which costs are non-refundable for your particular trip.
Although each plan may have some variations in covered reasons, typically most have some coverage for unforeseen events such as you or a family member falling ill prior to a trip and medically unable to travel, loss of a family member or traveling companion, loss of a full time job, sudden loss or critical illness diagnosed of a family pet, work relocation, unforeseen military call to duty, a natural disaster at home or your travel destination, travel supplier default and several other reasons that may take place after your effective date of your plan. Please see specific plan coverage and limits of the plan certificate for the plan you are considering.
Although you can purchase the day prior to departure, it is recommended to purchase well in advance to take full advantage of all the trip protection coverages provided should you have to cancel a trip for a covered reason. Many travelers purchase immediately after booking their travel, or at the very latest when any trip payments become partially or fully non-refundable, to protect their financial investment. If seeking Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) optional coverage, you must purchase within 14 days of the initial payment or deposit for your trip.
Although most people in different households purchase their own plans, if you reside in the same state you can enroll in a single plan even if not living together. If your traveling companion resides in a different state, a separate plan must be purchased for residents of different state to ensure coverage.
Before purchasing, please have the following information handy:
- Personal information for all travelers who will be on the plan, including full name and date of birth.
- Trip Details: Dates of travel, destination, and initial deposit date.
- The total trip cost per person based on itinerary or invoice for your trip.
Initial deposit date is the day on which you made your first payment toward the trip. This could be a flight, hotel booking, reservation for a tour, cruise, etc.
To be eligible for optional Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, you must purchase CFAR within 14 days of your initial deposit date. The CFAR option is available on the Elite Plan (excludes the states of WA or NY).
CFAR is supplemental coverage that offers partial reimbursement (up to 75% of your trip costs) when you cancel a nonrefundable trip for any reason that isn’t covered by your travel insurance policy. For example, a death in the family would be covered reason to cancel under your plan and receive 100% reimbursement. However, if you chose to cancel your trip because you decide you want to go to a family reunion or just not go at all, then only the CFAR option could reimburse you for eligible trip costs. CFAR is an optional upgrade, available when you purchase the Elite Plan only. If seeking Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) optional coverage, you must purchase within 14 days of your initial payment or deposit for your trip. See the plan certificate for your state for details when securing a quote. This coverage is not offered in WA or NY.
Travelers who are US residents up to age 100 are eligible for TME Travel comprehensive Trip Protection Plans. Other plans such as TME Medical Evacuation and Travel Medical Plans that are not comprehensive trip protection plans are available for travelers up to 84 years of age in most instances. The best way to determine plan eligibility based on age and state of residence is to secure a quote.
Yes, you can secure a plan with pre-existing medical conditions, but some exclusions may apply. If you are first diagnosed of a medical condition (or had a change in diagnosis), required a change in prescription medication, was advised to seek medical attention or had exhibited symptoms which would have caused a reasonable person to seek medical attention during the 60-day period immediately preceding and including the effective date of coverage, then claims related to such medical conditions would be excluded. However, if you purchase a TME Preferred or Elite Trip Protection Plan, they do include a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver so long as the plan is purchased within 14 days of initial trip deposit and before your final payment due date, and all pre-paid trip costs are insured, and you are medically able to travel on your effective date. Traveling against the advice of a physician or for the purpose of seeking medical services is excluded from coverage.
Infectious diseases such as COVID are treated as any other illness and are not specifically excluded from any of TME Travel Insurance plans.
Although Covid is not excluded from any TME Travel Insurance plan and is treated as any other illness when it comes to a loss/claim for any medical condition, any evacuation transport would need to be medically warranted. Many with Covid have flu-like symptoms or may be asymptomatic and would not necessarily warrant an emergency medical evacuation. If a more serious or critical condition warrants a medical evacuation per the terms of the plan, then arrangements would be made accordingly. A medical evacuation transport is from hospital to hospital and would require a full medical assessment, recommended and certified by a physician, must be approved in advance by the assistance company medical personnel, and requires acceptance at the hospital where the patient is being transported. Not all hospitalizations for accidents or illness, including COVID, will warrant a medical evacuation.
If you test positive and are directed by a physician to quarantine and unable to fly home, then Trip Delay coverage may provide for reimbursement for accommodations and meals beyond your scheduled return date, until you are cleared to return, up to the maximum benefit allowed on the plan you selected. Benefit limits will vary based on the plan selected.
Your plan comes with a 10-day free look period from the date of purchase, where you can secure a full refund if your departure date has not been reached. If the 10-day review period has passed, the plan is non-refundable. You can however request to adjust travel dates, add travelers and make other changes. Click here to submit a request to request an adjustment to your plan and an agent will contact you. Please note, if your trip cost or duration changes, the cost of your travel protection plan may also change.
So long as you have not departed on your trip or filed a claim, you may be able to change certain details of your plan, including adding travelers who reside in the same state, adjusting trip dates, and adding eligible trip costs for select plans based on the terms and limits of the plan you selected. Click here to submit a request to request an adjustment to your plan and an agent will contact you. Please note, if your trip cost or duration changes, the cost of your travel protection plan may also change. We will let you know if that is the case in advance.
Does Optional Rental Damage Collision Coverage (available on the Elite Plan only) cover all drivers?
The optional coverage is offered on a per driver basis and should be selected for those travelers that will be driving the rental vehicle.
Note: Optional Rental Damage is not available in TX
When you purchase a plan, you will receive your plan documents via email. If you chose not to provide an email or unable to find the original email, please click here to be directed to our online plan policy management hub to secure a copy of your Confirmation of Coverage which includes links to your plan documents, that you can email, save, or print.
Please refer to your plan documents for all the details of your plan, including benefits, coverage limits, covered reasons for trip cancellation/trip interruption and exclusions, etc. Benefits and limits are listed on your quote results, and then on the Confirmation of Coverage after purchase. Also, a link to the plan certificate for your state is available for review in advance of any purchase.
Although one’s primary medical insurance may have some coverage for medical emergencies when traveling, some do not or may be limited in the coverage provided. If your primary health insurance does provide some level of coverage, there are often co-pays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket expenses your primary insurance may not pay. Emergency medical expense coverage can help offset those out-of-pocket expenses by reimbursing eligible emergency medical expenses up to the maximum limit per the terms of the plan.
Medical expense coverage for travel insurance is generally secondary or excess to one’s health insurance. When filing a claim for reimbursement, your health insurance information is required and benefits are coordinated with your primary plan, to reimburse you for eligible expenses. Eligible expenses typically include physician services, hospital confinement, use of operating rooms, laboratory tests, X-Rays, examinations or treatments, prescribed drugs, and emergency dental expenses. Please see your specific plan certificate for more details on eligible expenses covered and plan limits. Please review your plan document or visit the Claims Page for more details and the appropriate form(s) to submit for reimbursement under your plan.
Although we recommend you carry your policy information with you, have electronic access to your global plan coverage for convenience, or share it with a friend or family member, you are not required to carry it for coverage.
Once the required premium has been paid, your plan becomes effective at your location 12:01 am the following day. All coverage (except Trip Cancellation) will begin on the later of the effective date or upon your departure from your home residence or home country. See policy terms for more information.
Traveling with Global Assistance Services included at no extra charge provides TME Travel Insurance Plan Holders with the confidence they have someone there to support them in their time of need. TME Travel Insurance provides Travel Assistance Services through our Assistance Provider, On Call International, for all plan holders. This includes the following services
Medical Monitoring • Hotel Arrangements for Convalescence • Medical and Dental Search and Referral • Advance of Emergency Medical Expenses • Assistance with Replacement Medication, Medical Devices, and Eyeglasses or Corrective Lenses • Transfer of Insurance Information and Medical Records • Assistance with Emergency Travel Arrangements • Interpretation/Translation • Locating Lost or Stolen Items • Emergency Cash Advance
Coverage applies when you are traveling on a scheduled trip more than 150 miles from home for both domestic and international travel. Certain countries or regions may have restrictions on arranging services in some instances where a medical transport may be warranted, so services are not guaranteed. If the US Department of State has already issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory regarding travel to Your destination country travel to that area is not advisable and can create undue challenges for assistance and may limit coverage for a Terrorist Incident that occurs in Your departure city or in a city listed on Your Trip itinerary and within thirty (30) days prior to Your Scheduled Departure Date. Benefits are not provided if the Travel Supplier offers a substitute itinerary. This does not include flight connections or other transportation arrangements to reach Your destination. A Terrorist Incident that occurs onboard an in-flight aircraft is not covered.
Countries currently excluded include Algeria, Belarus, Chad, Chechnya, Congo DR, Cuba, Iran, Ivory Coast, Liberia, North Korea, Palestinian Territories, Russia, Sierra Leone, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of Sudan, Syria, and Somalia, but is subject to change.
Medical evacuation is hospital to hospital and some remote areas such as islands, arctic circle, Antarctica, and other regions may not have medical services available to properly assess and determine whether a medical transport is warranted. These regions may also lack sufficient access to airports that can handle medically equipped air ambulance jets and the requirements needed to land and take off from such areas and services.
Claim payments under the Trip Cancellation Protection & Trip Interruption benefits are based on the amount of Trip Cost insured per person. For multiple travelers, you should enter the Trip Cost associated with each individual as it appears on the itinerary or trip invoice.
You can purchase a policy either online, or through a representative in our customer contact center. To purchase online, click here and you will be guided to review the plan options available. To purchase by phone, contact us at (602) 344-9225 or (888) 963-4933 and press “1” at the prompt.
Trip Protection Insurance can be purchased up to the day before your scheduled trip departure date.
All plans are underwritten by A or better rated AM Best insurance carriers for your protection. Trip Protection plans, Travel Medical Plans and Medical Evacuation plans are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
You can extend coverage if you choose to extend your trip. Click here to submit a request for an adjustment to your plan and an agent will contact you. You may also contact us at (602) 344-9225 or (888) 963-4933, press “3” at the prompt. Coverage is not extended until confirmed by TME Travel insurance and payment is processed in full. Please note, if your trip cost or duration changes, the cost of your travel protection plan may also change. Some extensions may not be granted if they extend beyond the travel limits or other restrictions of the plan.
If your trip is extended because of a covered travel delay, trip interruption or medical emergency, you do not have to request a change to your coverage dates to extend emergency medical expense benefits. We will extend your coverage period until the earlier of when you are able to return home or to your point of origin, or until you arrive at a medical facility for further care following a medical repatriation or trip interruption. Please review the terms of the plan you are considering for more details.
Yes, all benefits have limits based on the plans selected. Please see the plan overview and plan certificate of the plans you are considering for more details on coverage and limits. You can review these when securing a quote. Plans benefits and availability may vary by state, securing a quote and reviewing the plan options is the best way to determine what plan may be right for you.
If I go to the hospital, what is the criteria to determine whether I need to be medically evacuated?
Not all visits to the hospital warrant a medical evacuation. One could be treated and released without a medical evacuation being warranted. If a transport is medically warranted, the attending physician would recommend an evacuation and would require approval by the assistance provider under the plan. The patient would need to be stable enough for transport to safely do so. In some cases, it may take several days before one could be safely transported based on their medical condition. On Call International is the assistance service provider managing all services and requests for a medical evacuation under all TME Travel Insurance plans.
TME Travel Protection plans provide services and coverage to assist your companion or dependents when traveling should you be medically evacuated. Air ambulance provider may allow a companion and additional family member(s) to join the patient on the aircraft back home when possible and space allows. This is important during such a stressful situation. However, the health and safety of the patient will always be our priority. If in any circumstance the return of a companion or family member could be detrimental to the patient’s health, the family’s health, the companion’s health, or the health and safety of the crew or aircraft, then a return of a companion or family member with the medical transport may not be granted. If the assistance provider is unable to transport a child or dependent on the medically configured aircraft, the assistance provider will arrange for a commercial flight to the nearest commercial airport of the hospital where the patient has been evacuated or home for those covered on the plan per the terms of the plan.
A TME Travel Insurance plan will assist and cover reasonable expenses for the return of one’s mortal remains should the insured pass away on a trip. The insured’s family or legal power of attorney will provide the name of the receiving mortuary upon an insured’s death. TME Travel Insurance’s assistance provider will work in conjunction with the mortuary making the arrangements to return the insured’s mortal remains. TME Travel Insurance plan provides coverage for the expenses related to the repatriation of the insured’s mortal remains. This includes, but is not limited to, expenses for embalming, cremation, a container for transport, and transportation to the primary residence mortuary. TME Travel Insurance’s assistance provider must be notified in advance and coordinated through TME Travel Insurance’s assistance provider for such services.
Travel Medical Plan FAQs
A TME Travel Medical plan provides coverage for a variety of medical benefits and services when traveling more than 150 miles from home. Ideal for those who may not have non-refundable trip expenses they seek to protect but want a world class Travel Medical plan to protect and provide services when one is hospitalized with a medical emergency. Benefits such as Hospital of Choice medical evacuation (not just nearest suitable facility), Emergency Medical and Dental Accident and Sickness expenses your primary health insurance and other supplemental insurance plans may not cover when traveling. Loaded with other benefits and services, including Trip Delay to offset expenses should you be quarantined for COVID and Vehicle Return should your medical condition warrant a medical evacuation, the TME Travel Medical plan is the premium plan for your upcoming trip.
Although one’s primary medical insurance may have some coverage for medical emergencies when traveling, some do not or may be limited in the coverage provided. If your primary health insurance does provide some level of coverage, there are often co-pays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket expenses your primary insurance may not pay. Emergency medical expense coverage can help offset those out-of-pocket expenses by reimbursing eligible emergency medical expenses up to the maximum limit per the terms of the plan.
Once the required premium has been paid, your plan becomes effective at your location 12:01 am the following day. All coverage will begin on the later of the start date or upon your departure from your home residence or home country. See policy terms for more information based on the plan you choose at the point of purchase.
Travelers who are US residents with a US billing address up to age 84 are eligible for TME Travel Medical Plans. The best way to determine which plans you are eligible for based on your state of residence and age is to secure a quote. If your traveling companion resides in a different state, a separate plan must be purchased for residents of different state to ensure coverage.
Annual plans with multi-trip coverage are available in most states, but some states do not allow (currently NY, WA and FL). We also offer Couple-Companion Annual plans for two people, plus an Annual Family plan for parents and legal guardians traveling with children and dependents. Children and dependents must be age of nineteen (19) or less than age twenty-six (26) and primarily dependent on you for support and maintenance.
Medical expense coverage for travel insurance is generally secondary or excess to one’s health insurance. When filing a claim for reimbursement, your health insurance information is required and benefits are coordinated with your primary plan, to reimburse you for eligible expenses. Eligible expenses typically include physician services, hospital confinement, use of operating rooms, laboratory tests, X-Rays, examinations or treatments, prescribed drugs, and emergency dental expenses. Please see your specific plan certificate for more details on eligible expenses covered and plan limits. Please review your plan document or visit the Claims Page for more details and the appropriate form(s) to submit for reimbursement under your plan.
Yes, you can secure a plan with pre-existing medical conditions, but some exclusions may apply. If you are first diagnosed of a medical condition (or had a change in diagnosis), required a change in prescription medication, was advised to seek medical attention or had exhibited symptoms which would have caused a reasonable person to seek medical attention during the 60-day period immediately preceding and including the effective date of coverage, then claims related to such medical conditions would be excluded. However, if you purchase a TME Preferred or Elite Trip Protection Plan, they do include a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver so long as the plan is purchased within 14 days of initial trip deposit and before your final payment due date, and all pre-paid trip costs are insured, and you are medically able to travel on your effective date. Traveling against the advice of a physician or for
Infectious diseases such as COVID are treated as any other illness and are not specifically excluded from any of TME Travel Insurance plans.
Although Covid is not excluded from any TME Travel Insurance plan and is treated as any other illness when it comes to a loss/claim for any medical condition, any evacuation transport would need to be medically warranted. Many with Covid have flu-like symptoms or may be asymptomatic and would not necessarily warrant an emergency medical evacuation. If a more serious or critical condition warrants a medical evacuation per the terms of the plan, then arrangements would be made accordingly. A medical evacuation transport is from hospital to hospital and would require a full medical assessment, recommended, and certified by a physician, must be approved in advance by the assistance company medical personnel, and requires acceptance at the hospital where the patient is being transported. Not all hospitalizations for accidents or illness, including COVID, will warrant a medical evacuation.
If you test positive and are directed by a physician to quarantine and unable to fly home, then Trip Delay coverage may provide for reimbursement for accommodations and meals beyond your scheduled return date, until you are cleared to return, up to the maximum benefit allowed on the plan you selected. Benefit limits will vary based on the plan selected.
If I go to the hospital, what is the criteria to determine whether I need to be medically evacuated?
Not all visits to the hospital warrant a medical evacuation. One could be treated and released without a medical evacuation being warranted. If a transport is medically warranted, the attending physician would recommend an evacuation and would require approval by the assistance provider under the plan. The patient would need to be stable enough for transport to safely do so. In some cases, it may take several days before one could be safely transported based on their medical condition. On Call International is the assistance service provider managing all services and requests for a medical evacuation under all TME Travel Insurance plans.
TME Travel Medical plan provides services and coverage to assist your companion or dependents when traveling should you be medically evacuated. Air ambulance provider may allow a companion and additional family member(s) to join the patient on the aircraft back home when possible and space allows. This is important during such a stressful situation. However, the health and safety of the patient will always be our priority. If in any circumstance the return of a companion or family member could be detrimental to the patient’s health, the family’s health, the companion’s health, or the health and safety of the crew or aircraft, then a return of a companion or family member with the medical transport may not be granted. If the assistance provider is unable to transport a child or dependent on the medically configured aircraft, the assistance provider will arrange for a commercial flight to the nearest commercial airport of the hospital where the patient has been evacuated or home for those covered on the plan per the terms of the plan.
Our preferred provider will manage all of your care from hospital-to-hospital which includes air medical transport, ground ambulance transports, all medical crews, and pilots, plus all medications and medical devices needed for your successful medical evacuation.
A TME Travel Insurance plan will assist and cover reasonable expenses for the return of one’s mortal remains should the insured pass away on a trip. The insured’s family or legal power of attorney will provide the name of the receiving mortuary upon an insured’s death. TME Travel Insurance’s assistance provider will work in conjunction with the mortuary making the arrangements to return the insured’s mortal remains. TME Travel Insurance plan provides coverage for the expenses related to the repatriation of the insured’s mortal remains. This includes, but is not limited to, expenses for embalming, cremation, a container for transport, and transportation to the primary residence mortuary. TME Travel Insurance’s assistance provider must be notified in advance and coordinated through TME Travel Insurance’s assistance provider for such services.
Although we recommend you carry your policy information with you, have electronic access to your global plan coverage for convenience, or share it with a friend or family member, you are not required to carry it for coverage.
Single Trip Travel Medical Plans must be purchased prior to departure. Annual plans, Extended Trip plans and Max 364 Plans may be purchased if already traveling where available.
All Travel Medical plans are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, an A+ rated AM Best insurance carrier for your protection.
You can extend coverage if you choose to extend your trip. Click here to submit a request for an adjustment to your plan and an agent will contact you. You may also contact us at (602) 344-9225 or (888) 963-4933, press “3” at the prompt. Coverage is not extended until confirmed by TME Travel insurance and payment is processed in full. Please note, some extensions may not be granted if they extend beyond the travel limits or other restrictions of the plan.
If your trip is extended because of a covered travel delay, trip interruption or medical emergency, you do not have to request a change to your coverage dates to extend emergency medical expense benefits. We will extend your coverage period until the earlier of when you are able to return home or to your point of origin, or until you arrive at a medical facility for further care following a medical repatriation or trip interruption. Please review the terms of the plan you are considering for more details.
Coverage applies when you are traveling on a scheduled trip more than 150 miles from home for both domestic and international travel. Certain countries or regions may have restrictions on arranging services in some instances where a medical transport may be warranted, so services are not guaranteed. If the US Department of State has already issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory regarding travel to Your destination country travel to that area is not advisable and can create undue challenges for assistance and may limit coverage for a Terrorist Incident that occurs in Your departure city or in a city listed on Your Trip itinerary and within thirty (30) days prior to Your Scheduled Departure Date. Benefits are not provided if the Travel Supplier offers a substitute itinerary. This does not include flight connections or other transportation arrangements to reach Your destination. A Terrorist Incident that occurs onboard an in-flight aircraft is not covered.
Countries currently excluded include Algeria, Belarus, Chad, Chechnya, Congo DR, Cuba, Iran, Ivory Coast, Liberia, North Korea, Palestinian Territories, Russia, Sierra Leone, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of Sudan, Syria, and Somalia, but is subject to change.
Medical evacuation is hospital to hospital and some remote areas such as islands, arctic circle, Antarctica, and other regions may not have medical services available to properly assess and determine whether a medical transport is warranted. These regions may also lack sufficient access to airports that can handle medically equipped air ambulance jets and the requirements needed to land and take off from such areas and services.
Although most people in different households purchase their own plans, if you reside in the same state you can enroll in a single plan even if not living together. If your traveling companion resides in a different state, a separate plan must be purchased for residents of different state to ensure coverage.
Your plan comes with a 10-day free look period from the date of purchase, where you can secure a full refund if your departure date has not been reached. If the 10-day review period has passed, the plan is non-refundable. You can however request to adjust travel dates, add travelers and make other changes. Click here to submit a request to request an adjustment to your plan and an agent will contact you. Please note, if your trip cost or duration changes, the cost of your travel protection plan may also change.
So long as you have not departed on your trip or filed a claim, you may be able to change certain details of your plan, including adding travelers who reside in the same state, adjusting trip dates, and adding eligible trip costs for select plans based on the terms and limits of the plan you selected. Click here to submit a request to request an adjustment to your plan and an agent will contact you.
When you purchase a plan, you will receive your plan documents via email. If you chose not to provide an email or unable to find the original email, please click here to be directed to our online plan policy management hub to secure a copy of your Confirmation of Coverage which includes links to your plan documents, that you can email, save, or print.
Traveling with Global Assistance Services included at no extra charge provides TME Travel Insurance Plan Holders with the confidence they have someone there to support them in their time of need. TME Travel Insurance provides Travel Assistance Services through our Assistance Provider, On Call International, for all plan holders. This includes the following services
Medical Monitoring • Hotel Arrangements for Convalescence • Medical and Dental Search and Referral • Advance of Emergency Medical Expenses • Assistance with Replacement Medication, Medical Devices, and Eyeglasses or Corrective Lenses • Transfer of Insurance Information and Medical Records • Assistance with Emergency Travel Arrangements • Interpretation/Translation • Locating Lost or Stolen Items • Emergency Cash Advance
Medical Evacuation Plan FAQs
A TME Travel Medical plan provides coverage for a variety of medical benefits and services when traveling more than 150 miles from home. Ideal for those who may not have non-refundable trip expenses they seek to protect but want a world class Travel Medical plan to protect and provide services when one is hospitalized with a medical emergency. Benefits such as Hospital of Choice medical evacuation (not just nearest suitable facility), Emergency Medical and Dental Accident and Sickness expenses your primary health insurance and other supplemental insurance plans may not cover when traveling. Loaded with other benefits and services, including Trip Delay to offset expenses should you be quarantined for COVID and Vehicle Return should your medical condition warrant a medical evacuation, the TME Travel Medical plan is the premium plan for your upcoming trip.
Although one’s primary medical insurance may have some coverage for medical emergencies when traveling, some do not or may be limited in the coverage provided. If your primary health insurance does provide some level of coverage, there are often co-pays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket expenses your primary insurance may not pay. Emergency medical expense coverage can help offset those out-of-pocket expenses by reimbursing eligible emergency medical expenses up to the maximum limit per the terms of the plan.
Once the required premium has been paid, your plan becomes effective at your location 12:01 am the following day. All coverage will begin on the later of the start date or upon your departure from your home residence or home country. See policy terms for more information based on the plan you choose at the point of purchase.
Travelers who are US residents with a US billing address up to age 84 are eligible for TME Travel Medical Plans. The best way to determine which plans you are eligible for based on your state of residence and age is to secure a quote. If your traveling companion resides in a different state, a separate plan must be purchased for residents of different state to ensure coverage.
Annual plans with multi-trip coverage are available in most states, but some states do not allow (currently NY, WA and FL). We also offer Couple-Companion Annual plans for two people, plus an Annual Family plan for parents and legal guardians traveling with children and dependents. Children and dependents must be age of nineteen (19) or less than age twenty-six (26) and primarily dependent on you for support and maintenance.
The Medical Evacuation plan does not cover emergency medical expenses. If you would like this option, it can be added for an additional cost by selecting the Travel Medical plan. Please see the specific plan certificate for more details on eligible expenses covered and plan limits
Yes, you can secure a plan with pre-existing medical conditions, but some exclusions may apply. If you are experiencing a sudden medical condition or had exhibited symptoms which would have caused a reasonable person to seek medical attention at the time of purchase, then benefits claims related to such medical conditions would be excluded. Traveling against the advice of a physician or for the purpose of seeking medical services is excluded from coverage.
Infectious diseases such as COVID are treated as any other illness and are not specifically excluded from any of TME Travel Insurance plans.
Although Covid is not excluded from any TME Travel Insurance plan and is treated as any other illness when it comes to a loss/claim for any medical condition, any evacuation transport would need to be medically warranted. Many with Covid have flu-like symptoms or may be asymptomatic and would not necessarily warrant an emergency medical evacuation. If a more serious or critical condition warrants a medical evacuation per the terms of the plan, then arrangements would be made accordingly. A medical evacuation transport is from hospital to hospital and would require a full medical assessment, recommended, and certified by a physician, must be approved in advance by the assistance company medical personnel, and requires acceptance at the hospital where the patient is being transported. Not all hospitalizations for accidents or illness, including COVID, will warrant a medical evacuation.
If you test positive and are directed by a physician to quarantine and unable to fly home, then Trip Delay coverage may provide for reimbursement for accommodations and meals beyond your scheduled return date, until you are cleared to return, up to the maximum benefit allowed on the plan you selected. Benefit limits will vary based on the plan selected.
If I go to the hospital, what is the criteria to determine whether I need to be medically evacuated?
Not all visits to the hospital warrant a medical evacuation. One could be treated and released without a medical evacuation being warranted. If a transport is medically warranted, the attending physician would recommend an evacuation and would require approval by the assistance provider under the plan. The patient would need to be stable enough for transport to safely do so. In some cases, it may take several days before one could be safely transported based on their medical condition. On Call International is the assistance service provider managing all services and requests for a medical evacuation under all TME Travel Insurance plans.
TME Travel Medical plan provides services and coverage to assist your companion or dependents when traveling should you be medically evacuated. Air ambulance provider may allow a companion and additional family member(s) to join the patient on the aircraft back home when possible and space allows. This is important during such a stressful situation. However, the health and safety of the patient will always be our priority. If in any circumstance the return of a companion or family member could be detrimental to the patient’s health, the family’s health, the companion’s health, or the health and safety of the crew or aircraft, then a return of a companion or family member with the medical transport may not be granted. If the assistance provider is unable to transport a child or dependent on the medically configured aircraft, the assistance provider will arrange for a commercial flight to the nearest commercial airport of the hospital where the patient has been evacuated or home for those covered on the plan per the terms of the plan.
Our preferred provider will manage all of your care from hospital-to-hospital which includes air medical transport, ground ambulance transports, all medical crews, and pilots, plus all medications and medical devices needed for your successful medical evacuation.
A TME Travel Insurance plan will assist and cover reasonable expenses for the return of one’s mortal remains should the insured pass away on a trip. The insured’s family or legal power of attorney will provide the name of the receiving mortuary upon an insured’s death. TME Travel Insurance’s assistance provider will work in conjunction with the mortuary making the arrangements to return the insured’s mortal remains. TME Travel Insurance plan provides coverage for the expenses related to the repatriation of the insured’s mortal remains. This includes, but is not limited to, expenses for embalming, cremation, a container for transport, and transportation to the primary residence mortuary. TME Travel Insurance’s assistance provider must be notified in advance and coordinated through TME Travel Insurance’s assistance provider for such services.
Although we recommend you carry your policy information with you, have electronic access to your global plan coverage for convenience, or share it with a friend or family member, you are not required to carry it for coverage.
Single Trip Travel Medical Plans must be purchased prior to departure. Annual plans, Extended Trip plans and Max 364 Plans may be purchased if already traveling where available.
All Travel Medical plans are underwritten by Nationwide Insurance, an A+ rated AM Best insurance carriers for your protection.
You can extend coverage if you choose to extend your trip. Click here to submit a request for an adjustment to your plan and an agent will contact you. You may also contact us at (602) 344-9225 or (888) 963-4933, press “3” at the prompt. Coverage is not extended until confirmed by TME Travel insurance and payment is processed in full. Please note, some extensions may not be granted if they extend beyond the travel limits or other restrictions of the plan.
If your trip is extended because of a covered travel delay, trip interruption or medical emergency, you do not have to request a change to your coverage dates to extend emergency medical expense benefits. We will extend your coverage period until the earlier of when you are able to return home or to your point of origin, or until you arrive at a medical facility for further care following a medical repatriation or trip interruption. Please review the terms of the plan you are considering for more details.
Coverage applies when you are traveling on a scheduled trip more than 150 miles from home for both domestic and international travel. Certain countries or regions may have restrictions on arranging services in some instances where a medical transport may be warranted, so services are not guaranteed. If the US Department of State has already issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory regarding travel to Your destination country travel to that area is not advisable and can create undue challenges for assistance and may limit coverage for a Terrorist Incident that occurs in Your departure city or in a city listed on Your Trip itinerary and within thirty (30) days prior to Your Scheduled Departure Date. Benefits are not provided if the Travel Supplier offers a substitute itinerary. This does not include flight connections or other transportation arrangements to reach Your destination. A Terrorist Incident that occurs onboard an in-flight aircraft is not covered.
Countries currently excluded include Algeria, Belarus, Chad, Chechnya, Congo DR, Cuba, Iran, Ivory Coast, Liberia, North Korea, Palestinian Territories, Russia, Sierra Leone, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of Sudan, Syria, and Somalia, but is subject to change.
Medical evacuation is hospital to hospital and some remote areas such as islands, arctic circle, Antarctica, and other regions may not have medical services available to properly assess and determine whether a medical transport is warranted. These regions may also lack sufficient access to airports that can handle medically equipped air ambulance jets and the requirements needed to land and take off from such areas and services.
Although most people in different households purchase their own plans, if you reside in the same state you can enroll in a single plan even if not living together. If your traveling companion resides in a different state, a separate plan must be purchased for residents of different state to ensure coverage.
Your plan comes with a 10-day free look period from the date of purchase, where you can secure a full refund if your departure date has not been reached. If the 10-day review period has passed, the plan is non-refundable. You can however request to adjust travel dates, add travelers and make other changes. Click here to submit a request to request an adjustment to your plan and an agent will contact you. Please note, if your trip cost or duration changes, the cost of your travel protection plan may also change.
So long as you have not departed on your trip or filed a claim, you may be able to change certain details of your plan, including adding travelers who reside in the same state, adjusting trip dates, and adding eligible trip costs for select plans based on the terms and limits of the plan you selected. Click here to submit a request to request an adjustment to your plan and an agent will contact you.
When you purchase a plan, you will receive your plan documents via email. If you chose not to provide an email or unable to find the original email, please click here to be directed to our online plan policy management hub to secure a copy of your Confirmation of Coverage which includes links to your plan documents, that you can email, save, or print.
Traveling with Global Assistance Services included at no extra charge provides TME Travel Insurance Plan Holders with the confidence they have someone there to support them in their time of need. TME Travel Insurance provides Travel Assistance Services through our Assistance Provider, On Call International, for all plan holders. This includes the following services
Medical Monitoring • Hotel Arrangements for Convalescence • Medical and Dental Search and Referral • Advance of Emergency Medical Expenses • Assistance with Replacement Medication, Medical Devices, and Eyeglasses or Corrective Lenses • Transfer of Insurance Information and Medical Records • Assistance with Emergency Travel Arrangements • Interpretation/Translation • Locating Lost or Stolen Items • Emergency Cash Advance
Comprehensive Trip Protection Plan FAQs
Travel Medical Plan FAQs
Medical Evacuation Plan FAQs
Medical Tourist Plan FAQs
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