Some Key Plan Features	Liaison International	Diplomat International	Diplomat LT	Atlas International
Benefit Period (See Consumer Tips)	6 Months	12 Months	12 Months	6 Months
Is There Any Coverage For "Pre-Existing" Medical Conditions?	Medical exclusions do NOT apply to the Emergency Medical Evacuation benefit. Plus, some limited medical coverage for "pre-existing."	Medical exclusions do NOT apply to the Emergency Medical Evacuation benefit.	Medical exclusions do NOT apply to the Emergency Medical Evacuation benefit.	Some limited medical coverage for "pre-existing." See brochure for details.
Is Travel Back To The USA Allowed For Covered Medical Treatment?	Very Limited. Coverage for treatment back in the USA is limited to $5000 maximum.	Yes.  With optional "Home Country" option, allows for treatment in USA up to $75k max.	Yes. With optional "Home Country" option, allows for treatment in USA up to $75k max.	Yes. Travel for treatment is not excluded, including back to the USA.
Is The Plan Renewable For Continuous Coverage?	Minimum purchase 5 days and renewable for up to 36 months.	Not renewable. May be purchased in 15 day increments up to one year.	Minimum initial purchase is at least 3 months, renewable for up to 36 months total.	Minimum purchase 5 days and renewable for up to 36 months. Renewals must be done online with cc.
Is The Insurance Company Fully Regulated In All Or Most States?	Yes. US-based insurer: Virginia Surety Co., rated "A-" by A.M. Best. (In NY, OR, NC & KS, the insurer is Lloyd's, London.)	Yes. US-based insurer: The Insurance Company Of Pennsylvania (AIG Group), rated "A++" by A.M. Best.	Yes. US-based insurer: The Insurance Company Of Pennsylvania (AIG Group), rated "A++" by A.M. Best	No. Lloyd's, London, rated "A-" by A.M. Best, is fully regulated in two states, but registered as "surplus lines" in all other states.
"Look-Back Period" In The Plan Definition Of  "Pre-existing Condition."	Only 12 months for travel outside the USA or Canada	3 years	3 years	2 years
Some Notable Or Unique Plan Features	Terrorism is covered as any other injury or illness.	• 12 month Benefit Period is a strong feature that should be considered for longer-term travel.	• 12 month Benefit Period is a strong feature that should be considered for longer-term travel.	• Coverage for complications of pregnancy (first 26 weeks). • Limited coverage for terrorism.
* Tables are for summary purposes only. See plan literature for all conditions, definitions, and exclusions (links below).

Question? Do all Temporary international insurance plans contain the same features?
Answer: No. Temporary international insurance plans do NOT contain the same features.
* Some plans do NOT have a minimum benefit period.
* Some plans are NOT backed by insurers legally registered in most states.
* Some plans do NOT allow you to travel back to the USA for covered treatment

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Compare Key Plan Features, Instant Quotes & Comments

Liaison International . . . On-line Quotes  (opens in a new window) Quote tip - on the first question, be sure to select "travel EXCLUDING the U.S." When the quotes appear - select your deductible in the field at the top of the quote box (higher deductible = lower premium). The default quote is $0 deductible. The most popular choices are $250, $500, or $1000. Liaison International . . . Program Summary  (opens in a new window) This is the actual policy wording (pdf). Liaison International . . . Brochure & Rate Tables  (opens in a new window) Comments: see plan literature for details.   Continuous Coverage is available for up to 3 years.   The definition of "pre-existing condition" (see "Exclusions" in plan brochure) is less ambiguous and more consumer-friendly than many other health insurance plans. (See consumer tips - temporary plans.)     For US citizens traveling outside the USA or Canada, this plan will pay up to $20,000 for the sudden and unexpected reoccurrence of a "pre-existing" condition (up to $2500 for persons age 65 or over). See plan brochure for details.   Emergency Medical Evacuation (up to $300,000) is a separate benefit that does not count towards the policy's medical maximum and is not subject to the "Exclusions" on medical benefits.   The look-back period for defining a "pre-existing condition" (see plan "Exclusions - Medical benefits") is only 12 months when traveling outside of the USA or Canada (as compared to 2 or 3 years for most other plans).   Incidental "Home Country Coverage" is a built-in plan benefit (i.e. limited coverage during one or more incidental trips back to the USA, see brochure for details).   This plan is insured by a USA-domiciled insurer (Virginia Surety Co., rated "A-" by A.M. Best) that is fully regulated in 46 states and D.C. (In NY, OR, NC & KS, insured by Lloyd's, London.) A Limitation to Note: Travel back to your home country (USA) for follow-up treatment of a covered injury or illness first diagnosed or treated while outside the USA is limited to $5000 maximum. Unless you have guaranteed coverage upon the return to the USA (Medicare, VA, employer group insurance, etc.), you may want to consider this limitation. Liaison International applicants: After completing your online application, a confirmation page will appear. Print and save this as your insurance confirmation /ID.  An identical e-mail confirmation is also sent. Click here to quote Liaison International. Top of Page

Coverage for up to 12 months (opens in a new window).

Renewable for up to 36 months (opens in a new window).

Diplomat Plans . . . On-line Quotes & Policy Details  (opens in a new window) After opening link above, go to your plan choice and select "Get A Quote" or "Policy Details." Comments: The Diplomat Plans tend to cost more (especially Diplomat LT), but they offer many top-tier features.   All "Diplomat" plans are insured by a US-domiciled insurance company fully regulated in all 50 states and D.C. (The Insurance Company Of Pennsylvania, rated A++ by A.M. Best.)   All "Diplomat" plans have a 52 week Benefit Period (compared to 26 weeks or less with most other temporary health insurance plans). Even if the plan terminates, a covered condition first diagnosed or treated while the plan was in effect, will continue to be covered for up to 52 weeks from first diagnosis.   "Emergency Medical Evacuation" is a separate plan benefit (up to $100,000) that does not count towards the plan's Medical Maximum and is not subject to the Medical Exclusions. The plan wording allows for medical transport back to your Home Country, if advisable.   The definition of "pre-existing condition" is less ambiguous and more consumer-friendly than many other insurance plans. (See consumer tips - temporary plans.)   Travel back to your Home Country for follow-up treatment of a covered injury or illness is NOT EXCLUDED if the Home Country Coverage option is elected. (Maximum Home Country medical amount is $75,000, see brochure for details.) The condition must have been first diagnosed or treated while outside of your Home Country. Note: upon arrival in your home Country, the plan terminates, but your present covered condition continues to be covered per the policy for the balance of the plan's 52 week Benefit Period. Diplomat Plans - A Limitation to Note: All Diplomat Plans limit covered expenses to $1000 maximum for any illness that is first manifested, treated, or diagnosed during the first 30 days of coverage. Unless you are traveling to parts of Africa or other areas where chronic infectious diseases are more prevalent, the outstanding features of the Diplomat plans (52-week benefit period, fully regulated A++ insurer, etc.) may outweigh this limitation. However, if you want the unique benefits that the Diplomat plans offer, but this limitation is a concern, please contact me for some suggestions.  For Diplomat Applicants: After completing your online application, a confirmation page will appear. This page may be printed to serve as your temporary insurance ID. An insurance packet is mailed to your address of correspondence, normally with one business day of purchase. The packet will include your insurance policy, ID card, claim form, etc. Top of Page

Atlas International . . . On-line Quotes  (opens in a new window) Open link and first question "Will your trip include the US or US territories, select "no." Atlas Plans . . . Brochure  (opens in a new window) Comments: see plan literature for details.   The Atlas plans contain no exclusion for travel for treatment. Therefore, follow-up treatment for a covered condition first diagnosed or treated while outside of your Home Country, will continue to be covered for the remainder of the Benefit Period, anywhere you wish, including back in the USA. Note: upon arrival in your home country, the plan terminates, but your a covered condition continues to be covered for the balance of the plan's 6 month Benefit Period (see consumer tips).   If you are a US-citizen under age 70, you are covered for a sudden and unexpected "Acute Onset of a Pre-Existing Condition" up to a maximum of $15,000.   Treatment for complications of pregnancy during the first 26 weeks of pregnancy is covered under the Atlas plans. (Most other temporary heath insurance plans exclude coverage for treatment of all pregnancy related conditions.)   When you purchase the Atlas America plan on-line, you may renew coverage for up to 36 months total (see the "Review Coverage" link at bottom of Atlas Quote Page for details). A Limitation to Note: The plan definition of "pre-existing condition" is more ambiguous than we normally like (see consumer tips - Temporary plans for details). However, this plan has other favorable plan features which make it a strong consideration for many people. Note to Atlas applicants: The plan administrator (MNUI) will not mail you an insurance packet, unless specifically requested. When purchasing on-line, you are asked if you want "on-line fulfillment?" Unless you click the drop-down box and select otherwise, you will not be mailed a policy certificate and ID. There is no additional charge if you select "US mail." In either case, please be sure to print your on-line insurance confirmation page and/or your e-mail insurance confirmation. Top of Page

Additional Comments

Temporary international insurance plans are for sudden and unexpected injury or illness while traveling away from your home country on a temporary basis. This insurance is not intended as a substitute for annual-renewable or "permanent" major medical health insurance.

However, these are not the same type of plans you might get from a travel agent either. These plans are typically much more comprehensive. Here is just a sample of the benefits contained in these plans. (See plan literature for details.)

• Hospital
• Intensive Care
• Surgery
• Outpatient Treatment
• Prescription Drug
• Dental due to Accident
• Emergency Medical Evacuation
• Repatriation of Mortal Remains
• Emergency Reunion
• Return of Minor Children
• Accidental Death or Dismemberment
• 24-Hour International Assistance

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