What is Long Stay Travel Insurance?

With so many different types of insurance in the world, it can feel quite befuddling to understand which is which - and which one is the one you need.

This brings us to long stay travel insurance. In this article, we will talk about what it is, what kind of traveler needs it, and a few key details that you need to know in order to make the most educated decision when it comes to your journey(s) ahead!

What is long stay travel insurance?

Surprising to some, there is not a global definition of long stay travel insurance!

Because of that, insurance companies and providers can define it how they choose. At Insurte, for example, long stay travel insurance is defined as any travel insurance that covers you for trips longer than 90 days.

Though there isn't a shared definition for the term, it's generally described as insurance that covers long trips.

Who is it for?

It's in the name - long stay travel insurance is designed for travelers who are traveling for extended periods of time.

Here are some types of travelers that could benefit from long stay travel insurance:

Retirees. Whether it's an extended cruise, a multi-country excursion, or something else, retirees often choose to travel for longer periods. Long stay travel insurance is a popular choice as it offers a larger range of covered days.

Expats. Whether relocating for work or personal reasons, expats often choose to get long stay travel insurance depending on their plans. If they are planning an indefinite move, sometimes expats start with long stay travel insurance before getting access to the local social services.

Digital nomads. Those working remotely from different countries benefit from long stay travel insurance, especially if they're planning to move countries or travel a lot throughout their time overseas.

Students and academics. Many students, professors, and researchers opt for long stay travel insurance for the duration of their stay.

Backpackers. Like digital nomads, long stay travel insurance is a popular choice amongst backpackers, as it provides medical emergency coverage and other benefits depending on the policy.

Anyone planning a trip that is longer than the typical vacation or business trip can find long stay travel insurance a good option!

What does it cover?

One great thing about travel insurance on Insurte is that it is customizable, meaning your longterm trip can be covered for a wide range of risks.

Specifics vary by provider and policy, but some of the types of coverage that you can expect your long stay travel insurance policy to cover include:

Emergency medical coverage

At the heart of long stay travel insurance lies emergency medical. No matter the policy, there will be medical emergency coverage to varying extents.

This emergency coverage is specific to emergency medical costs. This means if you have an unforeseen medical emergency while you're traveling (such as breaking a bone or getting severe food poisoning), your travel insurance will kick in to cover the associated costs of your treatment/care. At Insurte, emergency medical coverage includes hospitalization if needed too.

Different providers and policies have different maximum coverage amounts. Through Insurte, long stay travel insurance policies can provide anywhere from €30,000 to €100,000.

Medical evacuation and repatriation

Closely related to emergency medical coverage, long stay travel insurance also covers you for medical evacuation and repatriation.

This can be critical in times of urgent need. For example, in some scenarios, a traveler may become so injured or ill that they need to be brought back to their home country. Or, perhaps a traveler gets into a serious accident, and there isn't a hospital in the area - or a hospital that can provide the necessary care that they need. This traveler may be medically evacuated to a facility that has the staff and resources needed.

While it's unpleasant to think about, in the unfortunate event of a death abroad, long stay travel insurance includes repatriation of mortal remains.

If medical evacuation or repatriation is required, the insurer will manage everything - responding immediately to get you the services you need.

Covid-19 and epidemics

Depending on the specific policy, long stay travel insurance can cover emergency medical costs associated with severe Covid-19, and sometimes all other epidemics too.

Sports (search and rescue costs)

Particularly beneficial for those planning trips with outdoor elements, like hiking or skiing, long stay travel insurance offers varying levels of coverage for search and rescue costs.

24/7 travel assistance and support

Whether it's a specific travel question or something else, long stay travel insurance comes with a dedicated helpline to answer questions you might have during your journeys abroad.

Other perks

Depending on the specific policy, your long stay travel insurance plan may have other guarantees, such as for events of terrorism, psychological assistance, and more. The best way to know which guarantees come in your policy is to read the terms and conditions.

How long does it last?

Long stay travel insurance can generally last as long as you need it to - up to 365 days. With that being said, some policies have a per-trip maximum, meaning you may have a set allowance per trip (such as 120 days).

With maximums in mind (overall and per trip), long stay travel insurance can last for the duration you need. If you purchase a policy that covers you for 95 days, you will be covered for 95 days.

If you're not sure about how long a policy lasts, you can always reach out to customer support to learn more before making your final decision.

Where can you buy long stay travel insurance?

Long gone are the days of in-person appointments and lengthy contracts with confusing fine print.

Innovative companies like Insurte have modernized travel insurance, making it more accessible and transparent for the needs of travelers today.

Available through a 100% online process, travelers can add a couple of details and have a policy "in-hand" (in email, anyway) in just a couple of minutes.

Things you should consider when buying long stay travel insurance

Before you make your final purchase decision, there are a few things that you should consider to make sure that the policy you're looking at is the best fit for you.

Coverage limits and exclusions

Equally as important as understanding what is covered in your policy - you should understand what isn't covered. Always read the terms and conditions, as they will mention exclusions explicitly, such as pre-existing medical conditions or high-risk activities like extreme sports.

Duration and plan flexibility

Before hitting the purchase button, double-check that the policy you have chosen aligns with your travel plans. It's also worth it to check whether or not your policy can be extended if your trip is prolonged.

In addition to that, check any trip maximums to ensure that you'll be covered when and where you need to be.

Where you're covered

While it's called travel insurance, you're not necessarily covered everywhere you travel to. Different policies provide different areas of coverage. While some may offer worldwide coverage, others may only provide it in specific parts of the world, like the United Kingdom and the Schengen area. Make sure that you're covered where you need to be covered - especially if you're taking out a long stay travel insurance policy in order to fulfill a visa application requirement.

Visa requirements

This leads us to the next one - some visa applications require proof of compliant travel insurance. If you're looking for a travel insurance policy for your visa application, check to make sure that the policy you're looking at meets all of the minimum requirements for your application.

During the visa application process, you should receive a list of all of the documents required for your application. In this list, if insurance is required, the details will tell you what criteria your insurance policy needs to meet.

At Insurte, all travel insurance options are 100% Schengen compliant.

The claim process

Before purchasing your long stay travel insurance policy, it's a good idea to look at the claim process. You should keep an eye out for a transparent, straightforward claim process. This is particularly important because, in emergencies, clear communication and a clear process can make all the difference.

FAQs: Long stay travel insurance