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The cost of your travel insurance depends on where you are going, among other things. Find out which countries will set you back more…
As part of Canstar’s research for the 2016 Travel Insurance Star Ratings, the research team retrieved thousands of different quotes using varying ages, destinations and holiday durations.
The team researched the cost of travel insurance for these 12 destinations:
- Australia
- Bali
- Brazil
- China
- Fiji
- Japan
- France
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- Thailand
- UK
- USA
After collecting the quotes the team was able to reveal a how much the cost of travel insurance varied between destinations.
Why does the cost of travel insurance depend on the country?
According to Canstar’s Travel Insurance research analyst, Adam Beau, the cost of healthcare in a country is the key driver of how expensive the travel insurance for that country is.
“While the most common travel insurance claims are for lost luggage or flight cancellation, these claims often only cost insurers a few hundred dollars,” he said
“But if you were to get into a serious accident overseas and spend a few days hospital, that could easily cost tens of thousands of dollars in some countries.”
“That’s why you’ll pay more for travel insurance when travelling to countries with high costs of health care.”
Top 5 expensive destinations for travel insurance (from Australia)
Obviously there may be other destinations that are more expensive than the 12 that Canstar has surveyed, but of the 12 countries researched these were the top five most expensive to get travel insurance for:
1. USA
The cost of travel insurance for a trip to the USA was more expensive than any of the other countries the researchers looked at. This is in spite of their comparatively low risks of crime, violence, terrorism, disease and their good road safety.
Their health care, however, is one of the most expensive in the world. It’s said that in the US, you are only one serious illness away from bankruptcy.
According to a survey by AAMI, it can cost up to $21,500 a night for a bed in a New York City hospital. Smart Traveller reports that for a medical evacuation from the US to Australia, you could be charged up to $300,000!
USA – Average travel insurance premiums
| USA | 10 day trip | 21 day trip |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | $ 113.70 | $ 162.34 |
| Couples | $ 218.92 | $ 312.76 |
| Family | $ 226.98 | $ 319.20 |
| Senior Singles | $ 311.82 | $ 445.76 |
| Senior Couples | $ 572.46 | $ 822.21 |
To assist you with comparing travel insurance products we have formulated a table that highlights 10 products that are currently on offer in the market sorted by our star ratings (highest to lowest) for single travellers to USA.
Compare Travel Insurance for USA
2. Brazil
There is a higher degree of risk when travelling to Brazil. International SOS’s travel risk map reports Brazil as having rapidly developing variable medical risks, high road safety risk and medium travel security risk.
Brazil has a high number of health dangers including Zika virus, yellow fever, malaria and other infectious diseases. On top of that, treatment at private clinics and hospitals is very expensive in Brazil, according to Smart Traveller.
BRAZIL – Average travel insurance premiums
| BRAZIL | 10 day trip | 21 day trip |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | $ 110.18 | $ 157.06 |
| Couples | $ 212.10 | $ 304.13 |
| Family | $ 219.31 | $ 308.89 |
| Senior Singles | $ 304.08 | $ 438.07 |
| Senior Couples | $ 558.80 | $ 803.86 |
For further information on travel insurance products we have formulated a comparision table that is sorted by our star ratings (highest to lowest) for single travellers to Brazil.
Compare Travel Insurance for Brazil
3. South Africa
International SOS reports that South Africa has a very high road safety risk, medium travel security risk but low medical risk.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that you are four times more likely to be killed in a motor accident in South Africa than Australia.
The costs of medical care in South Africa are said to be reasonable by international standards, but rapidly increasing.
SOUTH AFRICA – Average travel insurance premiums
| SOUTH AFRICA | 10 day trip | 21 day trip |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | $ 105.05 | $ 149.78 |
| Couples | $ 201.65 | $ 288.68 |
| Family | $ 209.04 | $ 298.79 |
| Senior Singles | $ 288.10 | $ 411.94 |
| Senior Couples | $ 530.62 | $ 764.41 |
To assist you with comparing travel insurance products we have formulated a table that highlights 10 products that are currently on offer in the market sorted by our star ratings (highest to lowest) for single traveller to South Africa.
Compare Travel Insurance for South Africa
4. France
France has a low risk of crime, violence, terrorism and disease. It also has very good road safety.
But health care is quite expensive. Smart traveller reports that the costs per day in a public hospital in France can range between $A1,350 to $A3,350.
FRANCE – Average travel insurance premiums
| FRANCE | 10 day trip | 21 day trip |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | $ 94.12 | $ 131.43 |
| Couples | $ 179.84 | $ 253.72 |
| Family | $ 188.21 | $ 264.87 |
| Senior Singles | $ 258.75 | $ 364.69 |
| Senior Couples | $ 474.06 | $ 675.22 |
For further information on travel insurance products we have formulated a comparision table that is sorted by our star ratings (highest to lowest) for single travellers to France.
Compare Travel Insurance for France
5. Japan
Like the US and France, Japan is a safe place for travel, but medical care can be expensive.
JAPAN – Average travel insurance premiums
| JAPAN | 10 day trip | 21 day trip |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | $ 92.25 | $ 130.98 |
| Couples | $ 176.52 | $ 252.55 |
| Family | $ 185.55 | $ 261.83 |
| Senior Singles | $ 252.43 | $ 360.44 |
| Senior Couples | $ 461.49 | $ 662.95 |
To assist you with comparing travel insurance products we have formulated a table that highlights 10 products that are currently on offer in the market sorted by our star ratings (highest to lowest) for single travellers to Japan.
Compare Travel Insurance for Japan
Other destinations
This was how the rest of the countries ranked on travel insurance costs:
- UK
- China
- Thailand
- Bali
- Fiji
- New Zealand
- Australia
The reciprocal health care agreements Australia has with the UK and New Zealand means travel insurance for those countries is cheaper, while China, Thailand, Bali and Fiji have relatively inexpensive medical costs.
You’ll generally find that the closer a destination is to Australia, the lower the travel insurance premiums will be.
Of course, domestic travel insurance is the cheapest since Australian citizens are covered by Medicare. Also Australia is one of the safest countries in the world.
Canstar is an information provider and in giving you product information Canstar is not making any suggestion or recommendation about a particular insurance product. If you decided to apply for a travel insurance, you will deal directly with an insurance provider, and not with Canstar. Rates and product information should be confirmed with the relevant insurance provider. For more information, read our detailed disclosure, important notes and additional information.The inclusions mentioned represent a selection of what is covered at the time of writing. Additional terms and conditions may apply to different features. Additional fees may apply to the product. Canstar is not making any suggestion or recommendation to you about this product. Please ensure that you read the product disclosure statement to determine all the current options and inclusions for the product you are considering.
Important Notes: The Star Ratings in this table were awarded in August 2016. The search results do not include all providers and may not compare all features relevant to you. View the Canstar Travel Insurance Star Ratings Methodology and Report. The rating shown is only one factor to take into account when considering products.
