Insurance coverage for team members going on short-term mission trips is a smart and affordable part of preparation to travel abroad. Your regular family or employer health insurance policy typically will not cover illness or injury sustained overseas. You can call and check on your existing policy, but sometimes even such a call will raise unnecessary eyebrows.
In addition to coverage for unexpected medical expenses, many short-term travel policies will include coverage for lost or stolen luggage, emergency medical evacuation, and canceled flights.
Cost is basically a factor of three components: (1) destination location, (2) trip duration, and (3) age of team member.
For example, a 20 year-old going on a two week trip to Mexico will pay around $20 for $500,000 policy, whereas a 60 year-old traveling to the Middle East for one week would pay around $80 for the same amount of coverage.
Given the potential for the unexpected, both are quite reasonable. Some companies also offer group rates for whole team coverage.
Once you’ve purchased a policy, be sure to print out and take with you policy numbers and instructions for filing claims. Most policies require you to contact them as soon as possible regarding treatment or losses, and to keep documentation or receipts of all submitted charges.
An internet search will reveal several providers. We typically use Talent Trust Consultants, International Medical Group or Mission Trip Insurance for short-term team coverage.
