The Importance (and Cost) of International Travel Health Insurance in 2025
Getting ill or injured while traveling can derail any trip, especially if you’re overseas. Whether you experience minor food poisoning or a more serious emergency, seeking medical care in a foreign country can be both a stressful and expensive ordeal.
As global healthcare costs continue to rise, international travel health insurance is more important than ever in 2025. Follow along as we explore the importance of travel medical insurance, how it works, and if it’s worth it.
How Does Travel Medical Insurance Work?
Travel medical insurance is a type of travel insurance that provides short-term coverage for emergency medical expenses incurred while traveling abroad. The purpose of these policies is to protect you from unexpected out-of-pocket expenses relating to your health while away from home.
Travel medical insurance covers a wide-range of medical costs, including doctor visits, hospital stays, ambulance services, prescription medications, and emergency medical evacuations.
While the majority of policies operate on a reimbursement basis, some travel insurance companies will facilitate upfront payment to a medical facility if required for treatment.
Can’t I Just Use My U.S. Health Insurance Policy?
Unfortunately, U.S. health insurance, also known as domestic health insurance, isn’t accepted abroad. This includes Medicare and employer-sponsored insurance policies.
In other words, if you suffer a medical emergency while outside of your home country, you will be financially responsible for any related expenses incurred. Depending on the severity of your condition and the cost of medical care at your destination, these costs can add up quickly.
Fortunately, international travel health insurance coverage can be very affordable, with plans averaging roughly $4.50 per travel day. This is based on 130,000+ travelers that purchased medical-only travel insurance through Squaremouth, with an average premium of 87.99 and a trip length of 19 days.
The Cost of Receiving Medical Care Overseas (with Examples)
Medical costs can vary dramatically depending on the country you’re visiting and the type of treatment needed. Here are some examples we found of healthcare costs from around the world:
- Broken Leg in Switzerland: Around $9,000 including hospital fees and X-rays (source)
- Hospitalization for Food Poisoning in Singapore: Around $4,000 for treatment in a private hospital (source)
- Medical Evacuation from the Caribbean: Between $15,000 and $25,000 (source)
These examples illustrate the cost savings a travel medical insurance policy can provide. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that in severe cases, international medical costs can exceed $250,000 without proper coverage.
With that in mind, it’s crucial to find a travel medical insurance plan that offers adequate coverage to protect you from out-of-pocket expenses.
How Much Medical Coverage Do I Need?
The right amount of medical coverage depends on where you’re going, how long you’re staying, and your personal risk tolerance. As a rule of thumb, we recommend that U.S. citizens purchase a policy that offers $50,000+ in Emergency Medical coverage and $100,000+ in Medical Evacuation & Repatriation coverage when planning an international trip.
However, there are scenarios where further coverage is needed for peace of mind, such as:
- Adventure Trips: Trips that involve high-risk activities may require additional protection.
- Remote Trips: Remote areas often have less access to adequate health services, increasing the likelihood of a costly medical evacuation.
- Senior Travelers: Older travelers, especially those with pre-existing conditions, typically experience higher medical costs when traveling abroad.
- Cruises: The cost of medical treatment and emergency evacuations at sea can be extremely high, warranting the need for additional travel protection when taking a cruise.
- Long Trips: The longer you are away from home, the greater the likelihood of experiencing a medical emergency while traveling.
How to Find the Best International Health Insurance Plan
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach to travel insurance. Taking some time to shop around for the right plan allows you a plan that offers excellent coverage without breaking the bank.
Determine Your Coverage Needs
Start by assessing your travel plans. Are you visiting one country or several? Will you be engaging in risky activities like hiking or scuba diving? Are you traveling with an existing medical condition that could flare up?
These factors can help you determine how much coverage you need and which medical benefits to prioritize.
We suggest sticking to plans that offer at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage. These coverage limits provide a safety net for common emergencies like hospital stays, surgeries, and transportation to higher-level care facilities if local care isn’t sufficient.
Compare Plans From Multiple Insurance Providers
Don’t settle for the first plan you find. Comparison sites like Squaremouth make it easy to view travel insurance quotes side by side, filtering by coverage limits, price, and provider reputation.
Top travel insurance companies in 2025 include Travel Insured International, IMG, Seven Corners, and Tin Leg, many of which offer plans tailored for international health coverage.
Most insurance providers offer multiple coverage options, including standalone medical policies and comprehensive travel insurance policies that also cover trip cancellations, trip interruptions, baggage loss, and delays. All travel insurance policies found on Squaremouth come with 24/7 emergency assistance services, ensuring you’re supported every step of the way.
Review Coverage Details
If you’re struggling to decide between two similar policies, some further investigation may be in order. Before purchasing trip protection, it’s wise to review the policy details and Certificate of Insurance.
These documents provide an in-depth look at the specific coverage and exclusions found within the plan. Pay attention to deductibles and copays, too. A plan that looks affordable up front may require upfront costs to be paid before you’re eligible for reimbursement.
The Best International Travel Medical Insurance Plans According to Squaremouth
We are constantly monitoring the travel insurance landscape to find the best plans for our users. After reviewing 100+ single-trip plans, we narrowed down our picks for the best travel medical plans of 2025.
- Best Overall Travel Medical Insurance: Seven Corners – Trip Protection Choice
- Most Affordable Coverage: Tin Leg – Gold
- Best Plan for International Trips: IMG – Patriot International Platinum
- Best Plan for Domestic Trips: IMG – Patriot America Platinum
See a full list of our favorite travel medical policies here.
Bottom Line
Travel health insurance provides financial protection from unexpected medical expenses you may incur during a trip. Due to rising healthcare costs around the globe, this type of coverage is a wise investment for any traveler that’s planning international travel in 2025.
By evaluating your needs, comparing providers, and understanding what’s covered, you can travel with confidence, knowing you’re protected wherever your journey takes you.