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GeoBlue - Product Name Only travel insurance specializes in offering medical travel insurance plans. These specialized plans cover healthcare costs while traveling abroad but lack trip cancellation, lost luggage, and other standard travel insurance services. This GeoBlue travel insurance review looks at what GeoBlue offers and what it may lack.

This medical-only travel insurance option may only be suitable for some globetrotters. But travelers who are a fit will find GeoBlue provides extensive coverage options and access to a worldwide network of healthcare providers with cheap travel insurance.

Of course, travelers should always check with their regular health insurer first. Your standard health insurance may provide limited coverage abroad. Even if you still want supplemental coverage, you should know if it would be primary or secondary. Here's what you need to know before investing in GeoBlue plans.

Travel Insurance Plans from GeoBlue

GeoBlue - Product Name Only offers three distinct medical travel insurance plans for individual travelers with varying levels of coverage. It also has a few group travel insurance plans for larger parties. Regular health insurance plans, destination, budget, and other factors play into the shopping experience. GeoBlue recommends each program for specific groups, but all three can be used for extended periods or multiple trips.

Here's an overview of the types of coverage included in each GeoBlue individual plan:

Plan Name

Best For

Inclusions

Voyager

Single-Trip Travel Medical Insurance Coverage

Inpatient and Outpatient Benefits (Surgery, Office Visits, Ambulance Services), Prescription Drugs, Dental (Accidental & Relief of Pain), Physical & Occupational Therapy, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Repatriation of Remains, Emergency Medical Transportation & Family Travel Arrangements, Loss of Baggage & Personal Effects, Post-Departure Trip interruption Transportation & Quarantine Coverage, Hazardous Activities (Skiing & Scuba Diving)


(Multiple Tiers Available)

Trekker

Multi-Trip Annual Medical Insurance Plan

Inpatient and Outpatient Benefits (Surgery, Office Visits, Ambulance Services), Prescription Drugs, Dental (Accidental & Relief of Pain), Physical & Occupational Therapy, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Repatriation of Remains, Emergency Medical Transportation & Family Travel Arrangements, Loss of Baggage & Personal Effects, Hazardous Activities (Skiing & Scuba Diving)


(Multiple Tiers Available)

Xplorer

Annual Plan for Long-Term Travelers

Preventive and Primary Care (Office Visits, Diagnostic Tests, Immunizations), Professional Services (Surgery, Anesthesia, In-Hospital Doctor Visits), Inpatient Hospital Services, Ambulatory and Therapeutic Services (Ambulance Services, Accidental Dental, Physical & Occupational Therapy), Rehabilitation & Therapy (Inpatient & Outpatient Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services), Other Service (Home Health Care, Hospice, Skilled Nursing) Prescription Drugs, Global Travel Benefits, (Emergency Medical Transportation, Repatriation of Remains, Accidental Death & Dismemberment)


(Multiple Tiers Available)

Additional Coverage Options from GeoBlue

GeoBlue - Product Name Only offers fewer riders or additional coverage options compared to other providers. Looking at the descriptions above, the three plans give a detailed list of included services, not all of which will be applicable during the average trip. The Voyager and Trekker plans have no additional coverage options.

However, the Xplorer plan is aimed at long-term travelers (including those who temporarily work internationally). So it provides two optional riders that come in handy if you're outside your home country for months at a time:

  • Enhanced Prescription Drug Rider: Provides up to $25,000 of coverage for prescription drugs per calendar year.
  • Basic US Benefits Rider: Provides healthcare benefits in the United States, emergency medical care, inpatient hospital coverage, and prescription drugs coverage.

How Much Does Travel Insurance from GeoBlue Cost?

The price you pay for travel insurance can vary widely depending on several factors. Typically, your trip destination, duration, age, insurance plan, and any additional coverage options you add to the base plan will play a role. In GeoBlue - Product Name Only's case, you'll also have the opportunity to select your deductible and maximum coverage limits with some plans, which can impact your travel insurance premiums.

For instance, a 30-year-old who plans to go on a weeklong trip to France would have the following options with GeoBlue's Voyager Choice plan, which offers a choice of deductible and coverage limits.

  • $11.68 premium with a $60,000 medical limit and $500 deductible
  • $20.08 premium with a $1 million medical limit and $0 deductible

Meanwhile, two travelers in their sixties interested in purchasing GeoBlue's annual Trekker plan would have a choice between the following plans.

  • $250 for the Trekker Essential plan with a $500,000 medical limit and a $200 deductible
  • $390 for the upgraded Trekker Choice plan with a $1 million medical limit and a $100 deductible

Are you traveling long-term or looking for flexibility around your destination and end date? We recommend checking in with GeoBlue to make sure you understand the rules.

Unfortunately, many customers find themselves in a pinch without coverage because they went outside the stated terms of their insurance policy. GeoBlue agents can answer questions and clarify terms as needed.

How Do I File A Claim with GeoBlue?

The easiest way to submit a claim with GeoBlue - Product Name Only travel insurance is to file it through its online Member Services page or mobile app.

Policyholders can also file claims via mail, fax, or email. If you wish to submit physical paperwork, the company asks that you send it to one of the following addresses:

Mail: GeoBlue

Attn: Claims

933 First Avenue

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Fax: +1.610.482.9623

Email: claims@geo-blue.com

Compare GeoBlue vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Both GeoBlue - Product Name Only and Allianz Travel Insurance - Product Name Only offer single-trip, standalone medical insurance plans. In addition, both provide coverage for emergency medical transportation, emergency medical claims, and baggage loss. However, there are a few differences.

GeoBlue supplies coverage for non-emergent inpatient and outpatient visits and accidental death or dismemberment. It also explicitly includes preexisting conditions pending you travel with a regular health insurance plan. Meanwhile, Allianz issues coverage for epidemics and other travel services like cancel for any reason coverage.

In addition, the two plans are structured differently. Allianz offers payouts up to a set dollar amount. GeoBlue covers a certain percentage of qualifying medical costs after a met deductible.

Compare GeoBlue vs. AIG Travel Guard

Travel Guard - Product Name Only's essential travel insurance plan provides medical evacuation coverage, security evacuation coverage, trip delay, and other coverages. In line with the low price, the essential plan's limits for each section are limited. For example, travelers would get a max of $15,000 medical travel insurance coverage. The company does not offer a standalone medical plan.

AIG Travel Guard customers may or may not be eligible for a preexisting conditions waiver, whereas GeoBlue's plans specify preexisting coverage as long as you have a permanent health insurance plan from your work or otherwise.

AIG focuses primarily on single-trip coverage options, though it does provide an annual travel insurance plan. GeoBlue - Product Name Only's website recommends plans for different travelers, but all three programs allow for multiple trips or extended travel times.

Regardless, if you want broader protection for necessary medical treatments, you will likely be served with a plan from GeoBlue. On the other hand, if you're looking for more trip cancellation and other standard travel insurance coverages, you will steer towards AIG.

Compare GeoBlue vs. World Nomads Travel Insurance

The travel insurance plans sold by World Nomads Travel Insurance - Product Name Only differ slightly from GeoBlue - Product Name Only's. Rather than focusing exclusively on covering your medical costs and limited baggage loss, World Nomads offers a comprehensive insurance option. Its plan also includes trip cancellation, interruption, and more coverage.

In addition, World Nomads' plan covers a wide range of adventure sports, compared to the two (downhill skiing & scuba diving) covered by GeoBlue. Looking at the two companies side by side, you may see many of the same services. However, the two companies offer staggered benefits. World Nomads has a more extensive list to cover whatever comes your way.

However, GeoBlue is more thorough in covering preexisting conditions and other medical services if its terms are followed. If you look at the details, GeoBlue covers higher amounts for the services it includes.

Methodology

When reviewing GeoBlue - Product Name Only travel insurance, we compared its products against those of other top travel insurance providers. In particular, we examined the available plan options, supplemental policies, claim limits, inclusions, exclusions, and sample policy premiums.

Selecting the best policy for you and your travel companions is about finding a policy with the correct type of coverage and adequate claim limits. That said, price is also an essential factor for many consumers. In addition, trip-specific riders for things like rental care coverage or adventure activities may be necessary for some travelers.

As such, we take all that into account when writing our reviews. Then individual readers can make decisions based on their travel plans and needs. You can learn more about how we rate travel insurance products here.

For travel insurance, we also rely on customer trends. Personal Finance Insider conducted a 2023 winter travel insurance survey of 971 US adults in December through Momentive AI Audience.

FAQs

Is GeoBlue Travel Insurance Legit?

The exact definition of legitimacy can often be subjective. However, GeoBlue - Product Name Only currently holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. In addition, the company earns largely positive reviews from its customers.

For example, Susan B. told InsureMyTrip, "I have purchased GeoBlue insurance before when I traveled but never had to file a claim. This past trip, I had a dental emergency. After returning home I filed a claim and in a couple of weeks, my reimbursement arrived. A very painless process."

Similarly, a verified user named Kathleen told Smashmouth, "I did not have to pay for coverage that I did not need. The GeoBlue website enables you to select what type of coverage you need."

Where Is GeoBlue Health Insurance Valid?

GeoBlue travel insurance works in most places around the globe. Fortunately, the company provides a comprehensive service map to help potential customers determine if their destination is covered before applying.

Does GeoBlue Cover The US?

Most GeoBlue travel insurance plans are meant to provide international coverage. However, the Xplorer plan offers the option to add a supplemental rider extending its coverage to include the United States.

Read the original article on Business Insider