Health insurance for traveling abroad: answers to frequently asked questions

Ukrainians often face a number of questions when they need to take out medical insurance for travelling abroad. What does the policy cover, which one is better to choose, and can the insurance be extended while already abroad? These are just some of the questions. Find answers to the most common questions about insurance in the Visit Ukraine article

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

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Medical insurance is now commonplace for many travellers. Numerous countries require an insurance policy for entry or residence permits. If a person has an insurance policy, they can be confident in their safety and protection, as the insurance company will take care of the organisation and costs in the event of an insured event.

However, when taking out insurance, many people encounter difficulties due to a lack of knowledge of the terminology or the process of working with insurance companies and the relevant algorithm for using the policy for which they have paid. Below, we will try to address the most common questions that Visit Ukraine's partner insurance companies receive from customers.

Planning a trip abroad? Get reliable medical insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal.

How medical insurance works abroad – answers to frequently asked questions

In this article, we have compiled the top 5 questions most frequently asked by Ukrainians travelling abroad and ways to resolve them using the Visit Ukraine system.

1. What is a deductible?

In simple terms, a deductible (or retention) is the amount that is not covered by the insurance company and is paid by the customer in the event of an insured event. Most often, the deductible is expressed as a specific amount that will be deducted from the insured amount, or as a percentage of the total loss. Deductibles are primarily beneficial to insurance companies, which reduce their costs for compensating the client and save on the staff that would service this deductible if it were included in the insured amount.

It is worth noting that there are insurance policies without deductibles that fully cover insured events and the client does not have to pay for anything. Such health insurance policies are available on the Visit Ukraine website. But it is important to remember that the insurance company compensates for losses only within the limits of the insured amount — anything above that is paid by the client. For example, a person is admitted to hospital with an insurance policy for €30,000, but their treatment costs €35,000. In this case, the client pays €5,000 to the hospital.

For information on what travel insurance covers abroad, please visit our website.

2. Does medical insurance cover dentistry?

Medical insurance usually does not cover dentistry. However, it all depends on the specific company and policy. Medical insurance from Visit Ukraine partners covers emergency dentistry. For example, acute toothache, broken teeth, acute inflammatory processes, abscesses — these will be covered by the insurance company. However, cleanings, fillings, implants, and veneers are not covered. It is normal practice, for example, to open and treat canals that cause acute pain, but the cost of a new filling placed on the treated tooth will be covered by the patient.

We discussed how to choose travel insurance for trips to Europe in our previous article.

3. Is foreign insurance better than Ukrainian insurance?

This is a fairly common stereotype. Foreign insurance policies are not always better than Ukrainian ones. First, Ukrainian policies are cheaper than foreign ones and have better coverage. In addition, foreign insurance policies often have a very long waiting period: the policy may only start to ‘work’ six months after its purchase (‘time franchise’). Ukrainian insurance policies, on the other hand, can offer telemedicine from Ukrainian doctors, which is convenient both in terms of the language barrier and in cases of emergency treatment for children. Policies from Visit Ukraine partners cover both medical assistance from foreign doctors on site and remote consultations with Ukrainian doctors.

4. What is the procedure for seeking medical assistance if a person has insurance?

In the event of an insured event, the person should call the insurance company as soon as possible. The company's contact details are always indicated on the insurance policy. It is your insurer who will be responsible for organising an ambulance or providing outpatient medical care at a clinic abroad. If an emergency situation arises and the person is unable to contact the insurance company before hospitalisation, it is advisable to keep all receipts and documents and contact the insurance company as soon as possible to claim compensation for expenses. The optimal time to contact the insurance company is within 24 hours after the insured event.

For information on what insurance is required to enter the Schengen area and how to avoid visa refusal, follow the link.

5. Is it possible to extend Ukrainian insurance while abroad?

Most insurance companies do not sell insurance policies to persons abroad. However, on the Visit Ukraine website, Ukrainians can take out or extend insurance from anywhere in the world. You can extend your insurance policy either by purchasing new insurance online or by contacting our customer service to extend it (you can write to us on WhatsApp or Telegram).

For more information on how to choose the right insurance policy for travelling abroad, see our previous article.

How to purchase insurance on the Visit Ukraine website?

To purchase insurance online on our website, you need to follow a few simple steps. First, you need to choose the type of policy you need. On the Visit Ukraine website, you can purchase medical insurance with worldwide coverage (with coverage ranging from €30,000 to €50,000) or with coverage in European countries (with coverage of €30,000, as required by the rules for visiting the Schengen area). Choose a policy depending on the countries you plan to visit. Once you have chosen the type of insurance, follow these steps:

1. Select the policy coverage (the website offers several insurance packages with different coverage options so that each customer can choose the best option for themselves).

2. Select the insurance period and enter the date of birth of the insured person. The system will automatically calculate the cost of insurance for the selected period.

3. Fill in the form with the details of the insured person (full name, e-mail, contact telephone number, passport details, place of residence, tax identification number and country of destination). At this stage, you can add information about other insured persons if you are planning to travel with someone.

4. Read the terms and conditions of the contract and confirm the policy (a special code will be sent to the specified email address).

5. Pay for the insurance in a way that is convenient for you.

The finished insurance policy will be in your mailbox in a few minutes. You do not need to print it out, as electronic insurance has the same legal force as paper insurance. If you have any questions during the process of obtaining an insurance policy, you can contact our customer service for assistance (via WhatsApp or Telegram). Our managers can help you choose the best insurance policy for your trip and assist you with the application process.

Your safety and health are our top priority. In an unpredictable world where every step can be risky, especially far from home, medical insurance is not just a formality, but a vital shield.

When travelling for business, study, leisure or other purposes, you deserve the confidence that in the event of unexpected illness or injury, you will receive qualified and timely assistance without financial stress.

Photo: Freepik

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Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card – compulsory car insurance for travelling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – book tickets for buses, trains, and planes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service – professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch – purchase patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

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