7 Best Travel Insurance Options for Indonesia + 2 Free Alternatives

 

Do I really need travel insurance for a trip to Indonesia? 

 

But do I actually need travel insurance? I don’t usually do any extreme activities or sports!

Update regarding travel insurance and the coronavirus (COVID-19)

Considering that Covid-19 is still present, it’s natural that you might have concerns about the level of coverage your travel insurance would offer in case you fall ill.

Thankfully, in the current scenario, almost all available travel insurance policies do include provisions for illness related to Covid-19. However, I strongly advise carefully reviewing the details of your policy before making a final decision. Gaining a thorough understanding of the specific coverage will provide you with the necessary peace of mind for your journey.

(Or for more details, you can also take a look at our article here: Does International Health and Travel Insurance cover Coronavirus (COVID-19)?) 

 

Observation: These travel insurance choices are carefully designed to cater to travelers. However, if your trip to Indonesia is geared towards educational endeavors, it’s vital to delve into an international health insurance plan specifically tailored for international students. On the other hand, if your trip takes you to the United States for work or immigration, you will require a health insurance package precisely crafted for expatriates. You can find suitable options for these specific types of coverage at the end of the article linked here. Make sure to conduct a comprehensive exploration of the available alternatives that align seamlessly with your travel and residency requirements.

 

How does the health system in Indonesia work? 

The healthcare system in Indonesia presents a variety of characteristics and challenges, with different levels of quality and access to medical care. Here are some important points to consider:

• Public Healthcare System: Indonesia has a public healthcare system that is government-run. However, the quality of services and facilities can vary considerably from region to region. In urban areas, public hospitals tend to offer more advanced services, while resources in rural areas may be more limited.
• Private Hospitals: In addition to the public system, there are private hospitals in Indonesia, especially in major cities. These hospitals often provide higher quality services and modern facilities compared to public hospitals.
• Health Insurance Coverage: It is highly recommended for foreign visitors to have international health insurance when traveling to Indonesia. This is due to potential differences in quality and availability between public and private services. Having health insurance can ensure access to appropriate medical care and, in some cases, higher-quality private hospitals.
• Medical Costs: Medical costs in Indonesia can vary significantly. Services in public hospitals tend to be more affordable, while private hospitals can be more expensive. Having health insurance can help cover medical costs, especially in emergency cases.
• Medicines and Supplies: In some areas, there may be shortages of medicines and medical supplies. It’s advisable to carry any regularly used medications and essential medical supplies with you.
• Language Barrier: In some regions, there may be language barriers as Indonesian is the predominant language. In urban hospitals and more touristy areas, you are more likely to find healthcare professionals who speak English.
• Vaccines and Preventive Health: Before traveling to Indonesia, check which vaccines are recommended and take appropriate preventive health measures, such as protection against mosquito-borne diseases.

 

 

What are the best travel insurance options for a trip to Indonesia? 

   1. The well-known, mid-priced travel insurance company:

IMG Global (accepts citizens from most countries!) 

They have one travel insurance plan available for Americans only (Patriot Travel Medical Insurance) and one available for non-American travelers (Patriot America Plus).

You have the freedom to select the extent of coverage that best aligns with your preferences, spanning from US$50,000 to US$500,000, and deductible alternatives ranging from US$0 to US$2,500.

In terms of pricing, IMG’s rates are generally competitive. However, similar to certain other alternatives discussed earlier, specific activities might not fall within the coverage of their policies.

To guarantee that you possess all the crucial coverage tailored to your specific requirements, I strongly recommend thoroughly examining the policy particulars prior to completing your purchase. This way, you can embark on your travels with confidence and certainty, secure in the knowledge that your chosen policy furnishes the comprehensive protection you necessitate. Wishing you exceptional journeys on the horizon!

Travel insurance for seniors (65+): one thing that makes IMG unique is that they offer a travel insurance plan specifically tailored to travelers aged 65 and over, called GlobeHopper Senior. 

 

IMGlobal travel insurance and COVID-19 coverage

 

 

   2. The best, most comprehensive travel insurance company for backpackers and adventurous travelers:

World Nomads Travel Insurance

(5% discount coupon comfort5)

You can get a 5% discount code on your World Nomads travel insurance policy by using the coupon code “comfort5″.

(P.S. If you’re anything like me and are also addicted to sports and adventure activities and want to make sure you have good travel insurance that covers them, here are two other articles you might like: 3 Best International Travel Insurance for Extreme Sports and Adventure Activities and 9 Tips to Stay in Shape During Your Travels.) 

 

WorldNomads travel insurance and coronavirus coverage

As of writing this article, World Nomads doesn’t explicitly address whether or not their insurance plans cover Covid-19 treatment. However, you can find their most up-to-date position on the coronavirus on their website here. 

 

 

   3. One of the cheapest travel insurance companies you’ll find anywhere:

WorldTrips (formerly Atlas Travel)

WorldTrips travel insurance and Covid-19 coverage

 

 

   4. The new international travel insurance company for digital nomads and adventure/extreme sports:

 

Safety Wing

One thing that makes Safety Wing stand out is its focus on insurance plans that cover adventure sports and extreme activities. (Like WorldNomads!) 

Plus, their website is fun and allows you to easily and quickly get a quote. 

 

Safety Wing travel insurance and Covid-19 coverage

 

 

   5. The best place to find & compare cheap travel insurance policies:

 

VisitorsCoverage

It’s a bit like Momondo, which lets you compare plane tickets from different companies. Or Rentalcar.com, which does the same rental cars. 

In other words, it makes it much easier to see all your options for travel insurance plans. And then ultimately compare, choose, and buy the best option for your trip. 

 

VisitorsCoverage travel insurance and COVID-19 coverage

 

   6. Another great website to search for and compare cheap travel insurance policies:

 

TravelInsurance.com

One nice feature of TravelInsurance.com is that, beyond travel insurance, they also offer insurance plans for immigrants, international students, and expatriates.

 

TravelInsurance.com and coronavirus coverage

 

   7. A final “travel insurance portal” option to search for and compare policies to find the best deal:

AARDY

AARDY travel insurance and COVID-19 coverage

Since AARDY itself isn’t a travel insurance provider and is only a portal that lets you compare insurance from many companies, you’ll have to look into the individual insurance company before you buy your plan to see what their position is on Covid-19 coverage. 

 

 

Bonus option to find and compare many different travel insurance plans at once:

 

InsureMyTrip

It’s a lot like Momondo, which is an aggregator for airline tickets, or Rentalcar.com, which is an aggregator for car rentals.

But if you’re looking for a plan like this to complement your travel insurance, check out my article on the 5 Best & Cheapest Health Insurances for International Students or 5 Best International Health Insurances for Expats & Immigrants.

 

InsureMyTrip travel insurance and Covid-19 coverage

Since InsureMyTrip itself isn’t a travel insurance provider and is only an aggregator that lets you compare insurance from many companies, you’ll have to look into the individual insurance company before you buy your plan to see what their position is on Covid-19 coverage. 

 

 

But wait….you might not even need to buy travel insurance!

Here are two sneaky ways you might be able to get “free” travel insurance 🙂 

 

   1. Buy your return flight ticket with a credit card to (maybe) get free insurance for your trip.  

 

*CORRECTION: As pointed out by an insightful observation from Alex, a reader of the original Portuguese version of this article, if you happen to possess a Visa Platinum credit card and decide to use accrued miles to cover ticket taxes and fees, you might potentially qualify for their global travel insurance.

However, I strongly recommend taking the initiative to independently verify this information with your credit card issuer. This is because the benefits associated with the same credit cards can vary based on the countries in which they are issued. My gratitude goes to Alex for sharing this valuable insight!

Moreover, thanks to a contribution from reader Ana Luisa, I’ve gained knowledge that Visa Platinum insurance typically offers coverage for a duration of 60 days. This duration exceeds the standard 30-day coverage commonly provided by most other credit cards.

Nonetheless, if your journey extends beyond this timeframe, it’s advisable to supplement the remaining part of your trip with a traditional travel insurance policy. The Visa Platinum insurance allows you to save during the initial two months of your journey. Always ensure that you have the necessary coverage spanning the entire duration of your expedition, ensuring a worry-free trip. Being fully prepared and adequately insured throughout your entire travel duration remains of utmost significance.

 

   2. Use your health insurance policy from your home country or country of residence. 

A quick note about travel insurance for cruising: 

 

Fraud Warning! As previously mentioned, both WorldNomads and WorldTrips offer the flexibility to obtain travel insurance even after you’ve started your journey. However, it’s crucial to exercise caution to prevent potential fraudulent activities.

It’s important to understand that acquiring travel insurance after falling ill or experiencing an accident, with the intention of seeking coverage for that specific event, is not an acceptable practice. Insurance companies are aware of this possibility, and most policies include an “anti-fraud” provision to discourage such actions. This provision typically states that your insurance policy can only be utilized 48 hours after its purchase.

For example, if you become seriously ill during your trip and decide to purchase travel insurance afterwards to cover your medical expenses, you must wait for 48 hours until your policy becomes effective for reimbursement. Additionally, you need to provide evidence to your insurance provider that the illness occurred after your policy purchase.

In the case of an accident, however, you can use your insurance within the 48-hour timeframe. But it’s essential to prove that the accident took place after you secured your travel insurance plan.

To emphasize, attempting to deceive insurance companies by acquiring a policy and immediately seeking reimbursement for a pre-existing condition or recent event is not a viable strategy. Insurance providers have mechanisms in place to investigate such situations and ensure they are not being misled. Therefore, it’s critical to adhere to the terms and use travel insurance transparently and responsibly to ensure appropriate coverage for your journeys. Travel insurance is designed to protect against unforeseen incidents, rather than to provide coverage for pre-existing conditions or events that occurred before obtaining the policy.

 

 Can I use traveling insurance while living abroad as an expat or an immigrant? 

If you’re living overseas or traveling in a country for a short period, you might be okay with just travel insurance. 

But you’re looking for more complete coverage (travel insurance usually just covers medical emergencies), if you’re going to be living abroad long-term, or if you need proof of health insurance for immigration purposes, then what you actually need is an international health insurance plan for expats or immigrants. 

If you’d like to learn more about the differences between travel insurance and international health insurance, then you can take a look at our article about the 3 Best International Health Insurance for Expats & Immigrants.

Or, you can quote directly with some of these expat insurance companies here:

   Cigna

   IMGlobal

   Now Health International

 

Can I use travel insurance during my international exchange or while studying abroad?

However, if you’ll be needing a student visa, then you’re going to need a health insurance plan that’s designed just for international students or exchanges. 

Again, you can check out directly some of these international student insurance companies here:

   IMGlobal   

   Cigna for International Students

   Now Health International

 

International travel insurance coverage for terrorism

I’ve had a few comments in both the English and the Portuguese article asking if travel insurance covers acts of terrorism. 

I did  a bit of research, and here’s what I found out: 

Although WorldTrip’s basic travel insurance plan doesn’t cover terrorism, their Atlas Premium plan DOES cover “treatment of injuries and illnesses relating from an act of terrorism, up to the limit set forth in the schedule of benefits and limits.” So yes, they do appear to have terrorism coverage. 

In the unfortunate circumstance of finding yourself injured during a terrorist incident while traveling, having the Atlas Premium plan from WorldTrips can provide essential coverage. This plan is tailored to offer protection during unexpected events, serving as a vital safety net during challenging times.

Moreover, several of WorldTrips’ plans include a valuable “Crisis Response Cover,” which extends coverage for situations involving civil or political unrest, natural disasters, or other crises that travelers might encounter abroad. This comprehensive coverage even encompasses scenarios like “express kidnapping,” covering expenses related to response, ransom, and lost personal belongings.

It’s important to acknowledge that while the “Crisis Response” feature is highly beneficial, it may not be available in certain countries. These countries include Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Somalia, Venezuela, Iran, Cuba, Sudan, and North Korea. Nevertheless, in most of these countries, your regular travel insurance coverage remains valid, excluding the specific “crisis” aspect of the coverage.

As always, carefully review the terms and conditions of your insurance policy to fully understand the extent of coverage and any limitations specific to your travel destination. Travel insurance serves as a vital safeguard, offering reassurance and protection throughout your journeys. WorldTrips’ Atlas Premium plan provides invaluable protection during unforeseen events, and their Crisis Response Cover adds an extra layer of security for travelers navigating challenging situations abroad. Make sure to verify the availability of the Crisis Response feature in your intended travel destination and have a comprehensive grasp of your coverage to embark on your travels with confidence and peace of mind.

 

General tips to help you get back your travel insurance reimbursement:

All of the previously recommended travel insurance providers maintain extensive networks of hospitals, clinics, and physicians. It’s advisable to choose treatment from one of their in-network facilities.

By doing so, you can avoid the need to make upfront payments, as the treatment costs will be directly sent to the insurer for payment (unless the treatment exceeds the maximum coverage limit).

In the case of unforeseen situations like illness or accidents, it’s crucial to promptly contact your travel insurance provider. They will offer guidance on which in-network doctor or hospital to visit for medical treatment.

If accessing an in-network medical provider is not feasible, you’ll have to cover the treatment expenses upfront and then seek reimbursement from the insurance company at a later stage.

As you may be aware, dealing with insurance companies, whether it’s for cars, homes, health, or travel, can involve certain complexities. They often require specific documentation before processing payments.

To assist you in this process, here’s a breakdown of the documents that travel insurance companies typically request when you file a claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred during your trip. Providing the necessary documentation in an organized manner can expedite the reimbursement process and ensure a smoother interaction with the insurance company.

 

But first, a few insurance terms to cover:

*make a claim: ask an insurance company for reimbursement for medical expenses

*insurer: the travel insurance company

*beneficiary = claimant = the insured: the person (you) who is asking the insurance company for money/reimbursement

 

List of documents usually requested by travel insurance policies when you seek reimbursement for medical expenses (if you were treated by an out-of-network provider): 

• Copy of the claimant’s national ID (driver’s license or other state-issued ID)
• Copy of Proof of Residency (any current proof – from the last 3 months – with the name of the claimant). If you don’t have this, send a declaration of residence that is completed, signed, and notarized by the insurer.
• For minors, a declaration of residence must be completed, signed, and notarized by the respective legal guardian (form provided by the insurer)
• Copy of the claimant’s voucher
• Original registration information form, signed by the beneficiary (form provided by the insurer)
• Copy of passport (ID page + page with entrance and exit stamps from the country where the accident happened) or other documentation that shows beneficiary was outside of habitual domicile when an accident happened (aka your home country) – for example: airplane tickets (by the way, you should always keep your boarding pass until the end of your trip, not only for filing a possible claim but also request your miles!)
• Presentation of the original medical report with descriptions of the procedures, provided by the health professional or medical center with a clear indication of the diagnosis, clinical history, and admission form, in the case of hospitalization
• Original prescription (if the pharmacy still has the prescription, send your x-ray or a document showing you picked up your medicine in exchange for the prescription)
• Invoice of the medical procedures or the pharmacy receipt with medications prescribed, which should match the quality and quantity of the provided prescription
• Report of medical care (explaining the reason, what happened and how the treatment went – both from the travel insurance staff as well the health providers), written by the beneficiary 
• A completed list of expenses (form provided by the insurer)
• Your contact phone number, address, and e-mail
• Proof of bank info (copy of bank statement header, check, or debit card)

And here’s the most frustrating part – you’ll likely have to send all of these documents via traditional mail!

I completely understand your frustration; it’s a significant inconvenience. That’s precisely why it’s much more convenient if you can receive treatment from a healthcare provider within your insurance company’s network. This approach allows you to avoid the hassle and headaches of gathering all the paperwork.

However, if circumstances dictate otherwise, going through the reimbursement process doesn’t need to be an intimidating ordeal. With a bit of organization and ensuring that all the required documents are well-prepared, your chances of successfully filing your claim and receiving a timely reimbursement are quite promising!

If you have experience with filing a claim before, please share your insights and any helpful tips in the comments section below. Your input can be incredibly valuable in navigating the claims process and providing a smoother experience for fellow readers.

 

To summarize, these as the best travel insurance companies for the Indonesia:

1. IMGlobal
2. World Nomads Travel Insurance
3. WorldTrips
4. Safety Wing
5. VisitorsCoverage
6. TravelInsurance.com
7. AARDY
8. InsureMyTrip

 

My final advice: Absolutely, don’t underestimate the significance of obtaining travel insurance before embarking on your journey! If you’re already traveling and haven’t arranged for insurance yet, take swift action to secure coverage as soon as possible. And if you’ve already acquired a policy but require an extension (which both WorldNomads and WorldTrips allow), make sure to extend it before it expires.