Emergency Medical Travel Insurance
A medical emergency abroad can cost $300,000 or more. Emergency medical travel insurance covers hospitalization, surgery, and evacuation — so a crisis doesn't become a financial catastrophe.
Plans from IMG, Trawick & WorldTrips · Evacuation up to unlimited · Instant quote
Up to $2M coverage · Evacuation included · From $1/day
What a Medical Emergency Costs Without Insurance
These are real costs travelers face every year. Without emergency medical travel insurance, every dollar comes out of your pocket.
Heart Attack
$150,000–$400,000
ICU, surgery, multi-day hospitalization
Broken Hip (Skiing)
$30,000–$80,000
Surgery, hardware, post-op care
Medical Evacuation
$50,000–$300,000
Air ambulance to capable facility
Tropical Illness
$10,000–$50,000
Hospitalization, ICU if severe
Diving Injury (DCS)
$15,000–$60,000
Hyperbaric chamber, possible evacuation
Appendicitis
$20,000–$60,000
Emergency surgery + recovery
Emergency medical travel insurance typically costs $1–$5/day — less than a cup of coffee. The protection it provides is priceless.
Compare Emergency Medical Travel Insurance Plans
All three plans include emergency medical evacuation. Choose your coverage level.
IMG
Patriot America Plus
Best all-around emergency coverage
Trawick International
Safe Travels USA
Widest deductible options
WorldTrips
Atlas America
Maximum emergency protection
What Emergency Medical Travel Insurance Covers
Coverage activates when you need it most — in the middle of a genuine medical crisis.
Emergency Hospitalization
Inpatient admission, room & board, nursing care, and diagnostic testing during emergency stays.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
Air ambulance transport to the nearest adequate facility, or medically necessary repatriation home.
Emergency Surgery
Surgeon fees, anesthesia, operating room, and recovery care for emergency procedures.
Emergency Room & Urgent Care
ER treatment, urgent care visits, and stabilization services for acute medical crises.
Acute Onset Pre-existing Conditions
Sudden, unexpected flare-ups of known conditions that require emergency treatment.
24/7 Emergency Assistance
Global emergency team coordinates care, finds doctors, and manages logistics in any crisis.
Emergency Dental Care
Treatment for acute dental emergencies — severe pain, injury, or infection.
Repatriation of Remains
If the unthinkable happens, costs to return remains home to your family are covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is emergency medical travel insurance?
Emergency medical travel insurance is coverage that pays for sudden, unexpected medical crises while you are traveling internationally. This includes emergency hospitalization, emergency surgery, emergency room visits, urgent care, and emergency medical evacuation — the cost to airlift you to a hospital capable of treating your condition. It does not cover routine or preventive care, only true emergencies.
What is emergency medical evacuation and why is it important?
Emergency medical evacuation (also called medevac) is the transport — usually by air ambulance — of a critically ill or injured traveler to the nearest facility capable of providing adequate care, or back to their home country. Without insurance, a single medevac flight costs $50,000–$300,000+. All travel medical insurance plans we offer include emergency evacuation coverage up to $500,000 or unlimited.
What counts as a medical emergency when traveling?
A medical emergency for travel insurance purposes includes: acute illness requiring hospitalization, life-threatening injuries from accidents, heart attacks, strokes, sudden severe allergic reactions, appendicitis, broken bones from falls, diving injuries, altitude sickness requiring evacuation, and acute onset of pre-existing conditions (unexpected, sudden flare-ups). Routine illness, dental cleanings, and elective procedures do not qualify.
Does emergency medical travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Most travel medical insurance plans cover 'acute onset of pre-existing conditions' — meaning a sudden, unexpected flare-up of a known condition that requires immediate emergency care. For example, if you have high blood pressure and suffer a heart attack while traveling, that is typically covered as an acute onset event. Ongoing management, routine monitoring, or planned treatment of pre-existing conditions is not covered.
How much does emergency medical travel insurance cost?
Emergency medical travel insurance starts at around $1–$2/day for healthy travelers under 40. The exact cost depends on your age, destination, coverage limit, deductible, and length of trip. For a 50-year-old traveling for 2 weeks, you can expect to pay $40–$90. Use our quote tool to get your exact price in under 2 minutes.
What happens if I have a medical emergency abroad without insurance?
Without emergency medical travel insurance, you are personally responsible for 100% of all costs. A hospitalization in Europe can cost $5,000–$15,000 per day. Surgery can reach $50,000–$200,000. An air ambulance evacuation alone can cost $100,000–$300,000+. Many hospitals in developing countries require upfront payment or a credit card guarantee before they will treat you. Travel medical insurance ensures you get care without financial barriers.
Is 24/7 emergency assistance included?
Yes. All plans we offer include 24/7 emergency assistance services — a team that can coordinate your emergency medical care, find English-speaking doctors, arrange hospital admissions, coordinate evacuation logistics, and provide real-time guidance in a crisis. This service is available in every country, at any hour. It is one of the most valuable benefits of travel medical insurance.
Don't Travel Without Emergency Coverage
One emergency. One airlift. One hospital stay. The cost can wipe out a lifetime of savings. Emergency medical travel insurance costs less than $2/day.
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