Many American travelers incorrectly assume that the same insurance plan that covers them at home also covers them when travelling abroad. As some travelers discover too late, travel insurance protection is the only way to guarantee you are fully protected when travelling overseas.

Some traditional insurance plans in the US do include overseas travel protection, but only for costs that are considered "customary and reasonable", which are often just a small amount of the total bill. As the costs of extensive medical treatment and medical evacuation back to the US can often top $10,000 (USD), travel health insurance is an effective way to receive coverage overseas.

Senior citizens are strongly advised to purchase travel medical insurance for all trips overseas, as Medicare does not provide coverage outside of the US. The high medical bills that can accrue as a result of an medical emergency overseas would have to be paid out of pocket if the traveler isn't insured.

It's important to plan for your health and safety while enjoying the fun of planning a trip overseas. By purchasing a travel insurance plan along with your travel package, you can rest assured that your family will be covered while overseas.

To protect yourself while travelling, be sure to write down any pre-existing medical conditions, allergies and include recent immunization records. This can be a huge help should you become sick or injured during your stay and require medical attention. Additionally, be sure to include your U.S. doctor's name and contact information, along with your travel insurance ID card.

When looking for short term health insurance that provides coverage while overseas, travel medical insurance is a must have. Take a look at the available options online to find the plan that best suits the needs of you and your family. Compare each plan by coverage and cost to make sure you are looking at the overall value of the plan.

Many travel health insurance plans can be purchased online, allowing for instant access to coverage and ID cards. This type of insurance often includes trip cancellation protection, providing coverage should the trip be postponed or cancelled due to an emergency.

With protection from travel medical insurance, it's easy to relax and enjoy your trip abroad. When you don't have to worry about the unexpected cost of emergency medical care, you can sit back and take in the many experiences that a new culture can provide. Start your overseas travels out right by purchasing travel insurance before you leave.

Dan Miller often writes about travel insurance.