Travelling on a budget but still want peace of mind? Compare medical only travel insurance policies that cover emergency medical expenses overseas, without the cost of comprehensive cover you may not need.
the benefits
A single hospital stay overseas can cost tens of thousands of dollars – a 14-day admission in Thailand can reach $50,000, while treatment in the USA can run into the hundreds of thousands. Medical only travel insurance covers hospital stays, specialist consultations, surgery, tests, scans, and nursing care for unexpected illness or accidental injury overseas, ensuring you’re not left facing an eyewatering bill.
If you require urgent medical attention in a location where adequate treatment is not available, most medical only travel insurance policies cover the cost of helicopter evacuation or air ambulance transfer to the nearest appropriate medical facility. Emergency evacuation alone can cost over $100,000 in some destinations, making this one of the most critical features of any travel insurance policy.
Most medical only travel insurance policies provide access to a dedicated 24/7 emergency assistance team staffed by medical professionals, travel coordinators, and specialists. Whether you need help finding the nearest hospital, coordinating treatment, or arranging for a family member to join you, help is available around the clock wherever you are in the world.
Dental emergencies (including broken teeth and sudden infections) can occur unexpectedly while travelling and require prompt treatment. Most medical only travel insurance policies include emergency dental cover for your natural teeth, providing financial protection for urgent dental treatment required as a result of an accident or sudden illness during your trip.
If you are seriously ill or injured overseas, most medical only travel insurance policies will cover the cost of flying a family member to be at your side, as well as the cost of repatriating you back to New Zealand once you are fit to travel. In the most serious of circumstances, cover is also typically provided for the cost of a funeral or cremation overseas if you die as a result of illness or injury during your trip.
Our medical only travel insurance comparison is completely free to use. You’ll be directed straight to the insurer’s website to complete your purchase at their direct price – no markups, no surprises.
key considerations
Medical only travel insurance is best suited to budget-conscious travellers who want essential protection without paying for benefits they don’t need. If you’re backpacking with minimal pre-paid costs and travelling light, a medical only policy may be a cost-effective choice. However, if you’ve made significant upfront payments for flights, accommodation, or tours, or if you’re travelling with high-value belongings, a comprehensive policy is likely to offer better value, covering you for cancellations, luggage, and travel delays as well as medical emergencies.
Medical only travel insurance covers unexpected illness and injury, not conditions you already know about before you travel. Pre-existing medical conditions must be declared, and cover for these conditions is not automatic. Some insurers will cover declared pre-existing conditions for an additional premium, while others will exclude them entirely. It’s essential to declare all relevant conditions upfront and confirm what is and isn’t covered under your chosen policy before purchasing.
Medical only travel insurance has important exclusions. Elective surgery and treatment you have planned or are travelling overseas specifically to receive is not covered. Routine medications and regular prescriptions are also excluded – so make sure you carry enough of any regular medication to last your entire trip before you depart. Medical treatment received within New Zealand is not covered under any New Zealand travel insurance policy, regardless of the level of cover; that is the role of New Zealand’s public health system and ACC.
Medical costs vary enormously between destinations, and it’s worth factoring this into your decision about cover levels. Treatment in the USA, for example, is among the most expensive in the world – an 18-day hospital admission for pneumonia in Houston has been recorded at $800,000. Even in more affordable destinations, costs can escalate quickly: a 14-day hospital stay in Thailand can reach $50,000, and helicopter evacuation in Europe can exceed $120,000. Understanding the potential costs at your destination helps you choose a policy with appropriate medical benefit limits.
Not all medical only travel insurance policies offer unlimited medical cover. Some policies cap the medical benefit at a set amount, which may not be sufficient for treatment in high-cost destinations such as the USA, Japan, or parts of Europe. Always check the medical benefit limit of any policy you’re considering against the potential costs of treatment at your destination, and prioritise unlimited medical cover where possible.
Medical only travel insurance is generally less expensive than comprehensive cover, but the price difference is often smaller than travellers expect. Before purchasing, it’s always worth comparing the cost of a medical only policy against a comprehensive policy for the same trip – the additional benefits of comprehensive cover may represent better value than the modest saving on the premium.
further reading
Expert guides to help you make an informed decision about your travel cover.
get answers
Medical only travel insurance provides cover for emergency medical expenses incurred overseas as a result of unexpected illness or accidental injury. This typically includes hospital stays, surgery, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests and scans, emergency dental treatment, emergency evacuation, repatriation to New Zealand, and 24/7 emergency assistance. It does not include trip cancellation, luggage cover, travel delays, or other benefits included in comprehensive travel insurance policies.
Medical only travel insurance is best suited to budget-conscious travellers who want essential medical protection without paying for comprehensive cover they don’t need. It is a practical option for backpackers travelling with minimal pre-paid expenses and limited valuables, or for travellers who have separate cover for cancellations and luggage through other means. If you have significant pre-paid travel costs or are travelling with high-value belongings, a comprehensive policy is likely to be a better fit.
Medical only travel insurance is generally less expensive than comprehensive cover, though the cost varies depending on your age, destination, and trip duration. Prices can vary significantly between insurers, so comparing multiple quotes is the most reliable way to find competitive pricing for your specific trip. All prices are subject to change and should be verified at the time of purchase.
Not automatically. Medical only travel insurance covers unexpected illness and injury, not conditions that existed before your trip. Pre-existing conditions must be declared to your insurer, and whether they can be covered depends on the nature of the condition and the specific insurer. Some insurers will cover declared pre-existing conditions for an additional premium, while others will exclude them entirely. Always confirm the position on any pre-existing conditions before purchasing, and never travel without declaring a relevant condition – failure to disclose can result in a claim being rejected.
No, New Zealand travel insurance policies are not permitted by law to cover medical expenses incurred within New Zealand. New Zealand’s public health system and ACC provide coverage for medical treatment within New Zealand, and travel insurance is designed to cover medical costs incurred overseas only. If you require medical treatment after returning home as a result of an illness or injury sustained overseas, that treatment would fall under the public health system or ACC rather than your travel insurance policy.
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