Key Takeaways
- Most travel insurance plans cover emergency dental care for natural teeth only.
- Emergency dental benefits are often capped at $500 to $1,000.
- Cosmetic and pre-existing dental work, such as bridges, crowns, veneers, implants, braces, and retainers, is typically excluded.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Dental?
Yes, most travel insurance plans cover emergency dental care for natural teeth. Coverage details vary by plan, but benefits are often included under medical coverage in comprehensive travel insurance or travel medical plans.
Travel dental insurance typically covers:
- Accidental damage to natural teeth
- Emergency pain relief for natural teeth
- Treatment for injury to natural teeth
Travel dental insurance typically excludes:
- Crowns, veneers, and implants
- Dentures
- Orthodontics and braces
- Pre-existing dental conditions
- Routine or cosmetic dental work
Types of Travel Insurance With Dental Coverage
These types of travel insurance plans often include an emergency dental expense benefit:
- Comprehensive travel insurance: Dental coverage is generally included as a component of emergency medical expense coverage. Emergency dental benefits often have a limit of $500, $750, or $1,000, depending on the plan. Reimbursement is provided up to the listed maximum coverage amount if the expense is covered.
- Travel medical insurance: Dental coverage typically applies in two ways: relief of pain or treatment as a result of an injury. These coverage options vary by plan and might be listed as secondary insurance.
Primary vs. Secondary Dental Coverage
If you choose a travel insurance plan with primary dental coverage, you would not need to file a claim with your private dental insurance provider first. However, secondary coverage will require you to file a claim with your private dental provider before submitting a claim for the same treatment with the travel insurance provider.
This table shows how primary vs. secondary coverage works when it’s time to file a dental claim.
| Primary coverage | Secondary coverage |
|---|---|
| File directly with the travel insurance provider | Must file with private dental insurance first |
| No coordination with other insurance required | Travel insurance only covers remaining eligible costs |
| Faster claims process | Might require additional documentation |
InsureMyTrip tip: We recommend calling your private dental insurance provider before buying travel insurance to understand what kind of coverage, if any, it provides when you are traveling abroad. This can help you determine whether to buy travel insurance with primary or secondary medical and dental coverage.
Claims and Reimbursement for Emergency Dental
If you have a dental emergency while traveling, you’ll need to cover any costs for your dental care out of pocket while on your trip. You can then file a travel insurance claim to be reimbursed for eligible expenses.
How to file a travel dental insurance claim:
- Pay for treatment out of pocket at the time of service
- Contact your travel insurance provider to verify coverage
- Gather all required documentation (receipts, treatment records, diagnosis)
- File your claim with the insurance company
- Receive reimbursement for covered expenses
InsureMyTrip tip: When you buy a policy on InsureMyTrip, we provide you with the international contact information for your travel insurance provider. In case of a dental emergency, be sure to call your provider to verify coverage and the documents needed to file a claim.
What to Know About Travel Dental Insurance Abroad
Travel insurance can be a powerful tool if you understand the limitations and details. We often get questions about specific types of dental needs and whether they would be covered, such as repairs to crowns, veneers, and implants, discomfort with orthodontic hardware, dentures and braces, and, especially, emergency root canals.
While international dental insurance coverage varies by plan, typically this benefit only extends to injury to a natural tooth. We recommend you read all the plan details and keep the phone number of your insurance provider handy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Travel Insurance Cover Root Canals?
Typically, no, unless a root canal is required due to injury to a natural tooth during your trip. But note that emergency dental benefits often have a limit of $500 to $1,000, depending on the plan.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Crowns, Veneers, or Implants?
No, repairs or damage to crowns, veneers, and implants are generally excluded from travel dental coverage.
How Much Dental Coverage Does Travel Insurance Provide?
Emergency dental benefits often range from $500 to $1,000, depending on the plan.
Will Travel Insurance Cover a Pre-Existing Hairline Fracture in My Tooth?
Generally no. Pre-existing dental conditions, such as a hairline fracture identified before your trip, are typically excluded from coverage. If the tooth worsens or causes pain during travel, contact your travel insurance provider to verify if any emergency relief may apply.
Do I Pay Up Front for Dental Treatment While Traveling?
Yes, you typically pay out of pocket for dental treatment and then file a travel insurance claim for reimbursement after your trip.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
Question
I have a tooth that has a tiny tiny hairline fracture. I know I have lots of time but just in case. There is no pain my dentist just pointed it out.
By Mary BethJ - December 3, 2023