Overseas emergency medical cover is the most critical component of any travel insurance policy. It covers the cost of emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, and evacuation if you’re injured or become seriously ill while overseas.
Why Unlimited Cover Matters
Some travel insurance policies cap medical cover at $1 million, $2 million, or $5 million. While this sounds like a lot, it can be quickly consumed by:
- Extended ICU stay in the USA ($10,000–$50,000+ per day)
- Emergency air ambulance from a remote location ($80,000–$300,000)
- Complex surgery and post-operative care
- Medical escort and repatriation to Australia
Medical Cost by Destination
| Destination | Estimated Hospital Day Rate | Evacuation Cost (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| USA | $10,000–$50,000+ AUD | $80,000–$300,000 AUD |
| Japan | $800–$3,000 AUD | $40,000–$100,000 AUD |
| Europe | $1,000–$5,000 AUD | $30,000–$80,000 AUD |
| Bali | $500–$2,000 AUD | $30,000–$60,000 AUD |
| Thailand | $300–$1,500 AUD | $25,000–$50,000 AUD |
Our Recommendation
We recommend choosing a policy with unlimited overseas medical cover wherever possible. The cost difference between a capped policy and unlimited cover is usually small, but the protection difference can be enormous.
