Which medical travel insurance?

Medical expenses may be extremely high for visitors abroad. One slip off a kerb, a car accident or an illness could cost you a great deal of money. A reliable medical travel insurance policy may cover you for emergency medical care during your trip.

Most travel insurance policies include aspects of medical cover, so you might not need to buy a specific medical travel insurance policy. As well as emergency medical care, standard travel health insurance may cover prescription medication needed as a result of injury or sickness, emergency dental treatment, and accommodation costs if you need to extend your stay as a result of injury or illness. If your condition is really serious and you are in a part of the world that doesn't have adequate medical facilities, you may also be covered for emergency repatriation costs.

Different policies will provide different levels of medical travel insurance cover. Low-cost travel insurance might not give you sufficient medical cover. Check the policy document for details before you buy.

The Consumers' Association recommends purchasing a travel insurance policy with at least 1m medical cover.