Medical only travel insurance
Compare medical only travel insurance and get cover for 24/7 medical emergency assistance, treatment and evacuation.
Key takeaways
- Medical-only travel insurance is the cheapest type of cover you can get.
- It can cover 24/7 emergency assistance, medical expenses (including medication) and evacuation.
- It does not cover trip cancellation and delays or lost or stolen luggage.
Compare medical-only travel insurance
Use the Finder travel insurance engine to compare medical-only travel insurance. Pop in your trip details, click on the basic policies and you'll be able to compare medical-only options.
Who offers medical only travel insurance?
Some medical only policies, are also named "Basic". Different insurers include other benefits or differing amounts which why it pays to compare. Medical cover doesn't always include cover for accidental death or permanent disability.
What is medical travel insurance?
Medical travel insurance is the most basic form of travel insurance you can buy, meaning it's also typically the cheapest. It's designed to come in handy if you get sick or injured while you're overseas. International travel insurance with medical-only cover usually includes:
- 24/7 emergency medical assistance
- GP visits and medication
- Hospital expenses if you need to be admitted for an injury or illness
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation back to Australia due to a medical emergency
- Emergency dental treatment up to a set benefit limit (depending on the policy)
- Funeral costs (if you pass away as a result of your injury or illness)
Many basic travel insurance policies also include personal liability cover. This covers you if you injure another person or damage their belongings.
Medical exclusions you should note
All insurance policies contain exclusions. In the case of medical-only travel insurance, these can include:
Emergency medical assistance
- Any expenses you incur that have not been pre-approved by the Assistance Provider
- Failing to follow the medical advice of the Assistance Provider
- Any medical evacuation or transport of remains from Australia to another country
- Any medical or hospital expenses incurred in Australia.
Overseas medical and hospital expenses:
- Any expenses incurred in Australia
- Any expenses resulting from a pre-existing medical condition that is not covered in your policy
- Failing to notify your insurer or their Assistance Provider of your hospitalisation as soon as possible
- Failing to heed the advice of the insurer or their Assistance Provider
- Any treatment by a chiropractor, physiotherapist or dentist lasting more than two weeks that has not been approved by the insurer or their Assistance Provider
- Any medical care that is covered under a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA)
- Any damage to dentures, prostheses, bridges or crowns (if applicable)
- Cosmetic dentistry or treatment involving precious metals (if applicable)
How much does medical-only travel insurance cost?
Medical-only travel insurance generally costs between $2.40 to just over $5 per day, depending on the travel insurer, your age, the destination and a few other factors. For context, we found a basic policy to cost between $34 and $50 for a 2 week trip to Bali. We got these quotes in August 2023.
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