Bali Travel Insurance

With its soft sandy beaches, wild nightlife, sprawling rice fields, exotic cuisine, and more cultural quirks than you can shake a stick at, it’s no wonder more than 800,000 Australians are drawn to the island of Bali each year.

Despite its idyllic veneer, Bali comes with some risks and can be tough to navigate in times of trouble.  We don’t like to think of holidays as risk taking ventures, but the truth is, new environments, unfamiliar territory, foreign languages and exotic foods can throw any traveller for a loop. From injuries and illnesses such as Bali belly, scooter accidents or monkey bites; to cancelled flights due to volcanic ash clouds, tsunamis and earthquakes, travel insurance is essential to protect you and your Bali holiday.

Do I need travel insurance for Bali?

It is not compulsory to have travel insurance to enter Indonesia, however it is highly recommended.  If there is only one reason you should take out travel insurance, it is for medical cover.  It's important to remember that you're not covered by medicare in Indonesia and the Australian Government won't pay for medical costs or emergency evacuation should the occasion arise.

Some of Australia's favoured cheap holiday destinations can be the most expensive when it comes to accessing emergency flight access out. A medivac from Bali to Australia would set you back between $30,000 - $40,000.  A travel insurance policy for 7 days is likely to cost you less than 50 bucks.

Don’t let your travel  bug bite you on the bum or have your trip end in financial ruin -  pack travel insurance along for the ride.

Compare travel insurance for Bali

Whether you're a budget conscious backpacker, a surfer seeking waves, being tempted by the thousands of temples or seduced by sipping cocktails on a relaxed beach break, it pays to compare travel insurance policies to find the right cover for your trip.

When comparing Bali policies, it's important to consider benefits, as well as costs.

The cost of travel insurance can vary enormously! Say you’re 30 (ish) years old and you’re going to Bali for a one-week holiday. Depending on your preferred level of cover, you can expect to pay anywhere from $32 to $250. 

Basic policies for around $20 – $50 you an expect (generally speaking) medical, personal liability and unexpected travel expenses. 

Mid-level policies for around $30 – $60 you can get decent cover which includes benefits like medical, cancellation, personal liability as well as some cancellation and luggage cover. 

Comprehensive policies for around $60 – $250 offers generous cover including medical, cancellation, personal liability, luggage, luggage delay expenses, hospital cash allowance, travel documents and unexpected travel expenses.
 

what it doesn't cover

• Riding risky: It’s a tried and true tourist tradition to hire mopeds or scooters in Bali, despite most having never attempted to do so! Balinese roads are hairy to say the least. The stats say it all; each day at least three people die in crashes in Bali and 150 accident victims require medical treatment. Be warned that your insurer will not cover you if you are found riding without a current Australian license (valid in the country you are in) or a helmet.
   
• Unattended items: Keep a strong hold over all your belongings as leaving your stuff unsupervised will not be covered for.
   
• Being intoxicated: Whether your drink of choice is a Bingtang or Bali Breeze, all claims related directly to alcohol and drugs will not be paid. Have fun in moderation…Schoolies beware!
   
• Terrorism and travel warnings: Since the Kuta bombings of 2002, government bodies have warned tourists to 'exercise a high degree of caution' in Bali.  While the chances of getting caught up in an act of terrorism are small, it’s still a good idea to keep up to date with travel advisories on sites like smarttraveller.gov.au.  Generally travelling against DO NOT TRAVEL warnings from the Australian Government will jeopardize your cover.
   
• High risk activities: Adventure activities are plentiful in Bali. From rock climbing to scuba diving, adrenaline junkies are spoilt for choice. But watch out, as participating in particularly risky activities such as climbing (where ropes are needed), cliff jumping or sky diving may not be covered by your policy.  Be sure to scan your policy’s small print to check out which of your preferred heart pounding activities are covered.
   
• Pre-existing conditions: Medical conditions that exist before you travel are generally not covered, but it pays to check. You can sometimes pay a bit extra to get some conditions covered. Check your policy wording to see what conditions are covered automatically, and which ones require a medical assessment first.
   
• Unreported items: You need to report theft or loss to the relevant authority ASAP (and your travel insurance provider) within 24 hours.

how to save on bali travel insurance

• Choose your destination wisely – You might be able to save yourself a few buckaroos by finding an insurer that classes Bali in its own price bracket, rather than grouped under Asia. Eugene's (The King of Insurance) Top Tip!  Picking 'Bali' as your destination, rather than 'Indonesia'  if you're only heading to Bali might save you a few buckeroos!
   
• Consider how often you travel - If you travel a few times per year, you could save by purchasing an annual multi-trip policy rather than purchasing a policy each time you take off.
   
• Combine policies - If travelling with your family or a companion, a joint policy is often cheaper than purchasing separately.
   
• Increase your excess - Most insurers allow you to lower your premium by opting to pay higher excess in the instance that you need to make a claim.
   
• Shop around - You'll be amazed at how much travel insurance quotes can vary. Offers by travel agents or airlines usually have commissions added on. In fact, you can save up to 50% by shopping around, so it pays to buy your travel insurance direct. Doing your comparison online will allow you to compare loads of quotes in seconds. Yippee