How Does Long Stay Travel Insurance Work in 2025?

If you're planning a long term trip and are considering taking out a long stay travel insurance policy, it's important to understand exactly how long stay travel insurance works.

With over 14 years of expertise in the travel insurance sector, we've written this guide to give you the must-know information, empowering you to make an educated decision when it comes to your journey ahead.

In this guide, we will talk about how exactly it works, what to expect, and key details you should consider before hitting the purchase button.

How does long stay travel insurance work?

Long stay travel insurance is a travel insurance policy that covers you for longer trips.

It might surprise you to learn that there isn't a global, industry-wide definition of "long stay". Companies can define it however they like. This means that each provider can define what that means on their own terms.

At Insurte, for example, long stay travel insurance is defined as any travel insurance that covers you for 90 days or more.

Long stay travel insurance works like this:

• Before you travel, you purchase a long stay travel insurance policy to cover you for the length of your trip.
• While traveling, if something happens that your policy covers you for, you follow the claim process. Your insurance policy will have the claim instructions.
• A decision is made regarding your claim.
• Your travel insurance expires on the date you choose (keep in mind that policies do have maximums, though there are annual options too).

How do I know what I'm covered for?

You should make sure you understand what you're covered for before purchasing any travel insurance - whether you're traveling for 30 days or an entire year.

To find out what you can be covered for, there are a few places that you should look.

• If you're looking for an insurance policy online, the product page should highlight the main coverage for each policy.
• In addition to the product page, it's important to review all of the terms and conditions. The terms and conditions will tell you exactly what is covered and what isn't covered, giving you a clear picture of what you can expect.
• You can also check the IPID. An IPID (Insurance Product Information Document) is a document that you can view for an insurance policy before purchasing it. The goal of this document is to simplify complicated contractual jargon for the average insurance purchaser. It will give you a summary of what you can expect from your policy. While the IPID is an excellent document that makes travel insurance more understandable and easier to compare, we recommend reading both the IPID and the terms and conditions for the most thorough picture.
• Lastly, if you're not sure what is covered, you can always reach out to the insurance provider's customer service.

Long stay travel insurance always covers emergency medical costs and repatriation. To what extent depends on the specific policy that you choose.

However, there are other events and situations that long stay travel insurance can provide coverage for. Some of these are assistance for lost/stolen passports, lost/delayed luggage, and Covid-19. It's even possible to have coverage that provides legal assistance or search and rescue costs. What you are covered for really depends on which policy you choose and what you'd like to be covered for.

Submitting a claim for long stay travel insurance

Before traveling (and even before deciding on a policy and purchasing), it's crucial that you understand your provider's claim process.

There are a couple of reasons for this.

One, when you submit a claim, it might be an emergency situation. already being familiar with the claim process will help you, especially in an overwhelming moment when you need help.

Second, if the claim isn't done at the right time or isn't submitted properly and per the formal process laid out by your provider, your claim could be denied.

Make sure you know the claim process and any rules or requirements (such as document-keeping or timeframes for filing) before purchasing and traveling.

It can be helpful to bookmark the claim process or print out a copy to keep with you during your travels.

The purchasing process

Nowadays, travel insurance has become more modernized, following the ever-growing and changing tech landscape.

Because of that, there are companies like Insurte that offer travel insurance (including long stay) 100% digitally - the entire process taking place online.

In a matter of minutes, you can compare and contrast policies, find the one right for your needs, and purchase it.

This modernization makes insurance more accessible for travelers around the globe and simplifies the process.

Do I need a travel insurance card?

Typically, when you purchase long stay travel insurance, you will receive a certificate of proof. If you purchase it online with a company like Insurte, this certificate will arrive by email in minutes.

This certificate and your policy/traveler information will suffice. Just remember to look at the claim process so you know if there's anything else you'll need if/when the time to submit a claim arises.

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