Is Primary Emergency Medical Coverage Better Than Secondary? Travel Insurance FAQ
Primary and secondary Emergency Medical benefits can be a point of confusion for travelers, especially those new to travel insurance. Once travelers understand the way travel medical benefits work, they often realize that paying extra to get primary Emergency Medical coverage may not be a necessary expense.
The Emergency Medical benefits in travel insurance are designed to reimburse travelers for the unexpected expenses incurred to treat illnesses or injuries while traveling. The main difference between primary and secondary coverage is that a primary benefit typically pays a claim faster.
Someone new to travel insurance might pay needlessly for primary coverage, thinking that a primary benefit is a better benefit in terms of quality. However, primary and secondary Emergency Medical benefits provide similar coverage while travelers are on a trip. The main difference is in the claim. A secondary policy will only pay a claim after all other health insurance providers have paid.
Just because an Emergency Medical benefit is primary doesn’t mean the coverage is better, it just means the claim may settle faster. Travelers who opt for secondary Emergency Medical benefits are usually just as satisfied with the level of service and coverage provided by their travel insurance.