Every so often, someone planning a trip asks me for advice. I gladly share what I know, but the moment I mention insurance, 90% of people give me that “nah, I don’t need it” look—the same one characters in horror movies have right before they go into the dark basement alone.
From a certain perspective, I get it. Insurance companies don’t have the best reputation (as Luigi Mangione seems to have demonstrated). And when you’re busy planning a trip, it’s easy to forget about insurance—especially if you’re used to going to a real-life, flesh-and-bone agent like it’s 1995. But these days, buying and activating a travel policy online is easier than ordering a pizza. No paperwork, no signatures—just pay, and boom, you’re covered.
Of course, diving into the world of online insurance can feel like entering the Matrix with no blue pill option—hundreds of pages of fine print, cryptic legal jargon, and prices ranging from a few euros to €200-300 for deluxe, platinum, VIP, “James Bond survived worse” coverage. These policies can include everything from medical expenses and lost luggage to hijackings and emergency extraction by helicopter. (Yes, some policies literally cover you if you get kidnapped. Very comforting.)
Travel insurance yes or no? worth it or just another Hollywood scam?
The real question is: does travel insurance actually serve a purpose, or is it just a dumb way to waste money?
So far, in all my travels, I’ve never had to use it. And, statistically speaking, you probably won’t either. But here’s the plot twist: if you do need it, even for something small, it can save you thousands. A hospital stay abroad can cost more than a suite at the Ritz in New York. Picture this: you’re in Singapore, and a simple three-day hospitalization for a nasty case of food poisoning sets you back between 1,527 and 3000 €—and that’s just for the bed. Meds, tests, exams, and other delightful extras? Those come at an extra (very premium) cost.
Sources may be biased, but friends who’ve needed medical care abroad confirm the prices are absurdly high. The only exception? A buddy who spent a day in a Cuban hospital—but hey, Cuba operates on different rules.
And if you think that sounds bad, just check out hospital costs in the U.S.—where even a band-aid, or God forbid an ambulance run, might set you back a small fortune. I’m not here to scare you into buying insurance, but let’s be real: for €35-120, is it worth rolling the dice?
Travel insurance yes or no: what I’ve spent over the years
Looking back on 20 years of travel, I estimate I’ve spent about €1,800 on insurance premiums. That’s less than a round-trip ticket to Sydney—and far cheaper than a single night in an American hospital.
What determines the cost?
Three main things affect the price of travel insurance:
- Trip length (the longer, the pricier—makes sense).
- Destination (U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean make insurance skyrocket; the rest of the world is cheaper).
- Coverage options (this is where you can save some cash).
What do I actually insure?
I only get medical coverage. I skip baggage, delays, liability, trip cancellation, hijackings, alien abductions, and zombie outbreaks—they just don’t seem worth it. Well, a zombie outbreaks would a cool way to go but it’s not the point of this post.
Which insurers are worth considering?
If you’re wondering who to trust, here are some names in no particular order:
- AIG – One of the biggest global insurance groups (used on my last trip to Hong Kong through KLM).
- WorldNomads – The go-to for backpackers and digital nomads.
- Columbus – Sells highly competitive Collinson Insurance in Italy.
- AXA – What I used on a few trips.
- Europ Assistance – Despite the name, it covers you everywhere.
Travel insurance yes or no, notes for frequent travelers
Final Note. If you’re a frequent traveler—or just someone who keeps “accidentally” booking trips several times a year—getting an annual policy might be worth it. For €150-250, you can enjoy the peace of mind of being covered for a full year… with some fine print, of course.
Because, naturally, there’s always a catch. These policies often come with travel duration limits. Take Europ Assistance insurance, for example: you can take as many trips as you want, but each one can’t last more than a month. So, if you’re planning on vanishing into the jungle for six months to “find yourself,” better double-check your coverage—or prepare to negotiate hospital bills like a Wall Street trader.
Final thought: do you feel lucky?
At the end of the day, it’s up to you. But before dismissing travel insurance as “pointless,” remember: if you’re unlucky enough to need it, you’ll be grateful you didn’t play Russian roulette with your bank account.
Or, in the immortal words of Indiana Jones:
“It’s not the years, honey. It’s the mileage.”
My post on travel insurance yes or no is finished. If you still want to read, I have a few options for you:
- You want to go to Colombia but you are not sure about safety down there?
- You want to travel to Oslo
- Why not the Caucasus?
