Travel insurance feels optional until it is not. An appendectomy in the US can exceed $50,000. A broken leg in Europe runs $5,000–15,000. Medical evacuation can top $100,000. A 7-day policy typically costs $30–80 — a fraction of your total trip budget.
Why You Need Coverage Abroad
Your domestic health insurance usually does not cover international treatment (or covers very little). Without travel insurance, you pay out of pocket. Even a clinic visit for food poisoning in the US can cost $500–1,500.
High-cost destinations: United States, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, Australia.
Key Coverage Areas
1. Emergency medical (most important)
Hospital visits, surgery, prescriptions. For US/Europe trips, get $100,000+ medical coverage minimum. Southeast Asia: $50,000+ is usually sufficient.
2. Emergency evacuation
Air ambulance and repatriation — can cost $50,000–250,000 without insurance.
3. Trip cancellation/interruption
Reimburses prepaid costs if you cannot travel due to covered reasons (illness, natural disaster).
4. Baggage delay/loss
Covers essentials if luggage is delayed 6+ hours or lost. File a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline immediately.
5. Personal liability
Covers accidental damage to others' property or injury.
Typical Costs (7-Day Trip, One Person)
|---------------|-----------|---------------|
US and Canada destinations cost 2–3x more due to medical pricing.
What to Check Before Buying
Ways to Save
Claims Documentation
Keep these from the incident site:
Recommended Providers (International)
Popular options for English-speaking travelers include World Nomads, SafetyWing, Allianz Travel, and IMG Global. Compare on aggregators like Squaremouth or InsureMyTrip to see side-by-side coverage and price.
US travelers: Check if your health plan offers any overseas emergency coverage before buying duplicate policies.
Budget 1–3% of total trip cost for insurance. Add it as a line item in the [TripWise budget calculator](https://wetripwise.com/en/calculator).
