Backpacking through Southeast Asia is the adventure of a lifetime for many. The region teems with exhilarating adventure activities, pristine natural beauty and some of the friendliest cultures.
While exploring Southeast Asia, preparing for unexpected incidents and illnesses is crucial! This guide will explain the ins and outs of travel insurance, highlight its importance, and showcase our favourite travel medical insurance company: SafetyWing.
Absolutely! Predicting what can happen is hard, especially in an entirely unfamiliar environment. Below, we’ve explained a few things that could go wrong, which travel insurance will cover you for.
Medical Emergencies and Health Coverage
Southeast Asia is renowned for its tropical climate, delicious street food and diverse ecosystem. While that sounds exciting (and we agree, it certainly is), the region can expose travellers to unexpected health risks.
Common health issues backpackers face in the region:
- Tetanus
- Rabies
- Dengue
- Broken Bones & Injuries
- Food Poisoning
- Parasites
If you are in the middle of nowhere and need urgent treatment, travel insurance will cover the cost of an emergency evacuation.
The cost of quality medical care can vary drastically between countries, cities and rural areas. Having reliable medical insurance ensures that, wherever you are, you receive the best care without having to panic over any hefty medical bills!
Trip Cancellations and Delays
While Southeast Asia is renowned for its exciting activities—like island hopping in the Philippines, volcano hiking in Indonesia, and surfing in Thailand—the region’s natural geography also brings a significant risk of natural disasters. Tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions are not uncommon, making it crucial to have travel insurance.
Airline strikes and unpredictable weather can leave you completely stranded. A few years back, my brother’s airline declared bankruptcy, leaving him unable to get home and trapped in a foreign airport for hours.
Travel insurance is handy in these situations: it covers unforeseen cancellations and delays, ensuring you aren’t stuck or left out of pocket due to unexpected travel disruptions.
Lost or Stolen Belongings
Common issues backpackers face include scams, pickpockets, and lost baggage. Consider the value of your luggage: $1,000? $1,500? Think about the items you plan to bring on your trip—your phone, headphones, laptop, camera, wallet, and travel documents. Imagine the gut-wrenching feeling of having those items stolen. The financial loss could even force you to cut your trip short.
Travel insurance covers your personal belongings. While it can’t replace the sentimental value of your lost items, it can provide financial compensation, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to continue your trip.
Adventure Activities and Sports
Travel insurance ensures coverage for accidents that can happen during high-adrenaline activities, which are essential parts of a trip to Southeast Asia. Whether you’re scuba diving in the coral-rich waters, trekking through lush jungles, or motorbiking along scenic routes, insurance provides crucial protection.
My Careless Travel Insurance Mistake
During my first backpacking trip, I booked my travel insurance and spent about six months on the road. Luckily, I never had to use it. However, feeling overconfident and a tad ignorant, I decided to skip insurance for my next trip, which is when everything went wrong!
While backpacking in Vietnam, a stray dog attacked me. One trip to the emergency room, anaesthesia, an x-ray and eight stitches later, I was beginning to regret not having insurance. And to pile on the expenses, I need a tetanus jab, five rounds of rabies shots, pain medications and crutches.
Fortunately, I was in Vietnam, one of the cheaper countries in Southeast Asia, so I had enough tucked away to pay my bills. But what if I had been in Singapore or the Philippines, known for their more expensive medical treatment? I would have had to borrow money from my family, cut my trip short, and end my backpacking experience on a complete low.
Now, I never travel without insurance!
How to Choose Travel Insurance for Southeast Asia
Our Recommendation - SafetyWing
SafetyWing offers comprehensive Travel Medical Insurance tailored to digital nomads and long-term travellers. Their coverage includes medical emergencies, trip interruptions, lost belongings, and more, making it an excellent choice for Southeast Asia.
Use the price calculator below to estimate your insurance cost, with coverage starting at just $56.28 for every 4 weeks.
The great thing about SafetyWing is that you can purchase Travel Medical Insurance even when you are already abroad – unlike most other insurance companies.
What Does SafetyWing Travel Medical Insurance Cover?
- Hospital Stays, emergency dental, ambulances and other sicknesses
- Lost checked luggage
- Injuries from leisure activities
- Motor Accidents (as long as you are driving legally)
- Flight home due to the death of a family member
- Meals and accommodations for travel delays over 12 hours
You can learn more on the SafetyWing Website.
How to Choose the Right Plan for Your Needs
When comparing different insurance policies, pay attention to various details to ensure you get the best coverage.
Here are some key aspects to consider:
- Coverage Limits: Look at the maximum amount the insurance company will pay for a claim.
- Exclusions: Identify what is not covered by the policy. Exclusions can include specific types of damage, certain activities, or pre-existing conditions.
- Additional Benefits: Check for any extra features that might be included, such as emergency assistance, coverage for lost luggage, or trip cancellation benefits.
- Excess Cost: The excess (or deductible) is the amount you must pay out of pocket before the insurance company covers the rest of the claim. Higher excess amounts often result in lower premiums, meaning you pay more if you make a claim.
By carefully comparing these aspects, you can select a policy that offers the best value and coverage for your specific needs.
Tips for Purchasing the Best Plan:
- Read Reviews: Check feedback from other travellers to determine the company’s reliability.
- Understand The Policy: Be aware of what is not covered to avoid surprises.
- Check the Claims Process: Ensure the insurance provider has a straightforward and efficient claims process.
SafetyWing offers an extremely easy claims process. Simply tell them what happened, provide a few supporting documents, and you can quickly get your money back.
Other Reputable Travel Insurance Companies To Consider
Hey Mondo: Budget backpacking insurance
World Nomads: Comprehensive travel insurance for adventurous people
Alpha Travel Insurance: Best long-stay insurance for those on a lengthier trip
Travel insurance is not just a precaution but a necessity when exploring Southeast Asia. It ensures you can fully enjoy your travels, knowing you’re protected against unforeseen events.
Stay safe and enjoy your travels!
Further Southeast Asia Travel Advice
Thank you for reading our blog!
We are Em & Yul – An English & Filipino Travel Couple. Now based in Cebu, we frequently explore the best destinations, hidden gems and cultural attractions across the Philippines.
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