Travel Insurance Terms: How the US, UK and EU Differ

If you're comparing policies from insurers based in different countries, the same concept often goes by a different name — and misreading a term can lead to a real misunderstanding about your coverage.

"Excess" vs. "deductible"

UK and many Commonwealth-market policies use "excess" for the same concept US policies call "deductible" — the amount you pay out of pocket before the insurer covers the rest. Same mechanism, different word.

"Franchise" deductibles

Some European policies use a "franchise" structure, which works differently from a standard deductible — below the franchise amount, the insurer pays nothing at all; above it, they may cover the full claim rather than just the amount over the deductible. Read the fine print on this specifically, since it changes the payout math meaningfully.

"Medical maximum" vs. "sum insured"

What US plans commonly call the "medical maximum," UK and international plans often label the "sum insured" — same concept: the overall cap on what the policy pays for medical costs.

Why this matters when comparing plans

See our plain-language glossary for more terms. When comparing policies across countries, translate each term to the same underlying concept before comparing numbers directly — a lower "excess" isn't necessarily better if the medical maximum (or "sum insured") is also lower.

This guide is for general information only and isn't insurance advice. Confirm the exact definitions used in your specific policy document, as terminology can vary even within the same country.