If you’re planning an international trip, it’s easy to assume your regular health insurance will be enough to keep you covered. But once you’re overseas, the reality is more complicated. Getting the right protection isn’t just about access to hospitals, but it’s also about how unexpected events like flight cancellations or lost baggage can affect your plans and budget.
As travel picks up again, understanding how travel insurance differs from health insurance can help you make smarter decisions. This guide breaks down both types of coverage and explains which one suits different types of trips, especially for travellers heading abroad.
What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance is designed to protect you during a specific trip. It covers a wide range of risks that can happen before or during your travels, including trip cancellations, flight delays, and medical emergencies in a foreign country.
Most travel insurance policies include:
- Emergency medical treatment abroad
- Coverage for hospital stays or outpatient care
- Reimbursement for trip interruptions or cancellations
- Lost or delayed baggage
- Emergency evacuation or repatriation
Travel insurance is typically short-term. It starts when your trip begins and ends when you return home. Some plans also offer 24/7 support services to help travellers navigate emergencies in real time.
For travellers departing from Thailand, this kind of coverage is especially useful in destinations where local healthcare costs are high or where language barriers can make emergencies more difficult to handle.
What is health insurance?
Health insurance is intended to cover your medical expenses over the long term. It helps pay for doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital stays, and ongoing treatment, depending on the policy. Most people are familiar with local health insurance plans that apply within their home country, such as public schemes or private policies tied to their job.
However, the moment you leave the country, those benefits may no longer apply. Many Thai health insurance plans, for example, only offer limited or no coverage abroad. That’s where international health insurance comes in. These policies are built for people who live, study, or work overseas for extended periods. They typically include a broader network of hospitals, outpatient care, and chronic condition management across multiple countries. Additionally, international health insurance may have higher premiums than local health insurance and travel insurance.
Unlike travel insurance, international health insurance focuses solely on medical needs. It does not cover non-medical issues like missed flights, hotel cancellations, or lost baggage. It’s meant for those who expect to access healthcare regularly while living abroad, not just in an emergency during a short trip.
Health insurance vs travel insurance: Key differences
Although both types of insurance deal with medical expenses, they serve very different purposes. Travel insurance is built for short trips and unexpected events, while health insurance focuses on long-term medical care and treatment. Below is a comparison to help clarify the key differences:
| Feature | Travel insurance | Health insurance |
| Coverage duration | Trip-based | Ongoing (long term) |
| Medical coverage | Emergency treatment abroad | Routine and emergency care |
| Non-medical coverage | Yes, including trip delays, cancellations, lost baggage | Usually not included |
| Evacuation & repatriation | Included in most plans | Rare or optional |
| Personal accident | Often included (e.g. accidental death, disability) | Not typically included |
| Chronic condition support | Not covered | Covered in comprehensive plans |
| Access to routine care | Not included | Included (e.g. check-ups, specialist visits, follow-ups) |
| Cost structure | One-time premium per trip | Recurring premiums |
While travel insurance may include some medical benefits, its strength lies in broader travel-related protection. Health insurance, on the other hand, is primarily concerned with treatment and recovery, not disrupted travel plans.
For anyone going abroad, the right coverage often depends on how long they’ll be away and what kind of support they’ll need during that time.
What does travel insurance cover that health insurance doesn’t?
While both types of insurance may cover medical emergencies, travel insurance offers broader protection tailored to the experience of being away from home. It includes non-medical events that can disrupt your trip, many of which fall completely outside the scope of a health insurance policy.
Here are some of the main areas travel insurance covers that health insurance typically does not:
- Trip cancellation or interruption: Reimbursement for prepaid expenses if your trip is cancelled or cut short due to illness, family emergencies, or other covered reasons.
- Flight delays and missed connections: Compensation for additional expenses like meals, hotel stays, or rebooking fees.
- Lost, stolen, or delayed baggage: Financial support to replace essential items and cover losses.
- Emergency evacuation: Transport to the nearest appropriate medical facility if local care is not available.
- Repatriation of remains: The cost of returning a deceased traveller to their home country.
- Personal accident coverage: Lump-sum payments in the case of accidental death or permanent disability during the trip.
- 24/7 travel assistance: Hotline access for emergencies, help with finding hospitals, replacing lost passports, or coordinating local services.
These benefits make travel insurance a practical layer of support during international trips. It’s designed not just for health issues, but for a range of problems that can throw your plans off course.
When to consider international health insurance instead
International health insurance is a better fit for travellers who need consistent access to medical care abroad. This type of policy is especially useful if you’re:
- Living or working overseas for an extended period
- Studying abroad as a full-time student
- Relocating with family and want a plan that covers dependents
- Seeking ongoing care for chronic conditions or preventive services
Unlike travel insurance, which focuses on emergencies, international health insurance provides access to planned and routine care. Some plans allow you to choose your healthcare provider, get treatment in multiple countries, or even return home for medical reasons and remain covered.
It also offers more flexibility in how and where you access care, with some policies covering private hospitals or offering second medical opinions for serious diagnoses.
The cost is generally higher, but so is the level of support. If your lifestyle or responsibilities take you abroad long-term, this type of insurance becomes less of a backup plan and more of an essential part of your everyday health coverage.
Do you need both travel insurance and health insurance?
Travel insurance is built for short-term trips. It covers emergency medical care along with travel-related issues like flight delays, lost baggage, and cancellations. It’s also often required for visa applications, depending on your destination.
Health insurance, especially international plans, is better suited for longer stays. It includes routine care, chronic condition support, and access to wider hospital networks abroad.
A Thai health policy may not cover treatment overseas or may limit reimbursements. Travel insurance can fill that gap for emergencies and disruptions during your trip. For extended travel, especially for work or study, international health insurance offers more complete medical support.
Conclusion
Travel insurance and health insurance are built for different needs. One is designed to protect you during a trip, covering unexpected disruptions and emergencies. The other supports your long-term health wherever you live or spend extended time abroad.
Before you pack your bags, take a moment to check what your current coverage includes, and more importantly, what it doesn’t. Matching your insurance to the way you travel helps you stay prepared, both medically and financially.
If you’re planning a trip, getting protected doesn’t have to be complicated. Roojai’s travel insurance can be purchased entirely online, with coverage tailored to international and domestic travel, all in just a few minutes. Follow us on LINE or Facebook for travel tips, updates, and practical insurance guidance as you get ready for your next journey.
