Always confirm costs with your healthcare facility and/or insurance coverage
If you’re planning an international trip, one question that often gets skipped until the last minute is: should I get travel health insurance, and how much will it cost?
Spoiler alert: If you’re traveling abroad and your regular health insurance doesn’t follow you—or has terrible coverage outside your home country—travel health insurance can be a very smart, and surprisingly affordable, move.
Let’s break down the real costs, what you’re paying for, and how to avoid overpaying for junk coverage.
Average Cost of Travel Health Insurance
Trip Length |
Coverage Amount |
Typical Cost (Per Person) |
|---|---|---|
1 Week (Basic Plan) |
$50,000 – $100,000 |
$25 – $50 |
2 Weeks (Mid-Tier) |
$100,000 – $250,000 |
$40 – $90 |
1 Month (Comprehensive) |
$250,000 – $500,000 |
$80 – $150 |
Annual Multi-Trip Plan |
$100,000 – $1M per trip |
$150 – $400+ per year |
🚀 Prices vary based on age, destination, medical history, coverage limits, and trip details.
What Travel Health Insurance Covers 🚑
Most policies include:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospital stays
- Emergency surgery
- Ambulance services
- Medical evacuation & repatriation
- 24/7 assistance hotline
Some plans also cover:
- Dental emergencies
- Prescription medication
- Trip interruption for medical reasons
- Accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)
🚫 Routine checkups, pre-existing conditions, and cosmetic procedures are usually not covered.
Factors That Impact Price 💳
✅ Your Age
- Travelers under 40 pay less; those over 60 may pay 2–3x more for the same coverage.
✅ Trip Duration
- Longer trips = higher risk = more expensive premiums.
✅ Destination
- Travel to the U.S. is most expensive to insure due to sky-high medical costs.
- Remote or politically unstable regions may also bump up premiums.
✅ Coverage Level
- A $50,000 policy is cheaper, but may be inadequate if hospitalized abroad.
- Most people choose at least $100,000 in medical coverage.
✅ Adventure Activities
- Scuba diving, skiing, climbing, or off-roading? You’ll need a plan that includes adventure sports, which costs extra.
Sample Price Estimates by Traveler Type 🛋
Traveler Type |
Trip Details |
Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
Solo 30-Year-Old |
2 weeks in Europe |
$40 – $60 |
Couple, Age 65 |
10-day cruise |
$100 – $160 total |
Family of 4 |
1-week Mexico trip |
$60 – $110 total |
Digital Nomad (Annual) |
Multi-country, 12 months |
$300 – $800/year |
Is Travel Insurance the Same as Travel Health Insurance? 🤔
Nope. Travel insurance is the umbrella term. It includes:
- Trip cancellation & delays
- Lost luggage
- Flight changes
Travel health insurance is just one part—focused entirely on your medical needs abroad. Some companies offer bundled policies (medical + trip protection), but make sure the health coverage is legit and not just fluff.
Tips to Save on Travel Health Insurance 🎁
✅ Compare Providers
Use platforms like:
- InsureMyTrip
- Squaremouth
- TravelInsurance.com
These let you filter by price, coverage level, and plan details.
✅ Buy Early, But Not Too Early
- You don’t need to buy coverage the day you book your flight.
- But buying at least a week before departure gives you more options and avoids last-minute rate hikes.
✅ Annual Plans for Frequent Travelers
- If you travel 3+ times per year, an annual policy saves money and hassle.
✅ Check Your Credit Card
- Some cards offer limited travel medical coverage—but read the fine print.
Final Thoughts 😎
Travel health insurance is one of those things you hope you’ll never need—but if you do, you’ll be glad you spent the $50–$100. It’s affordable peace of mind that protects you from $10,000+ foreign hospital bills.
Going abroad soon? Drop your destination and travel health tips in the comments! 💬
