Asia's diverse healthcare systems and vast distances require comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency medical care and evacuation for trips to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea.
Best Travel Insurance for Asia
With rates starting at $69, we found the best travel insurance companies for visiting Asia. Compare coverage from World Nomads, Generali, and IMglobal for trips to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and more.
Find the best travel insurance for your Asia trip below.
Updated: December 29, 2025
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Key Takeaways
World Nomads leads with a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100, offering flat-rate pricing at $94 regardless of trip cost and including adventure sports coverage.
Generali Global Assistance offers the most affordable option at $73 for a week-long Asia trip, earning the highest affordability score at 94 out of 100.
Medical evacuation coverage of at least $100,000 is critical for Asia travel, with costs from remote areas reaching $75,000-$150,000 to major facilities.
Best Travel Insurance Companies for Asia
We evaluated travel insurance companies based on affordability, coverage quality, service, and financial stability. World Nomads leads with a score of 93 out of 100, earning top marks for affordability with flat-rate pricing. Generali Global Assistance ranks second at 92 as the most budget-friendly option, while IMglobal takes fourth with the highest coverage score at 95. Our analysis prioritized evacuation coverage and medical expense limits, which are critical for Asia travel.
1 | World Nomads | 93 | 98 | 86 | 89 | 95 |
2 | Generali Global Assistance | 92 | 94 | 88 | 89 | 100 |
3 | Allianz Travel Insurance | 91 | 86 | 89 | 100 | 100 |
4 | IMglobal | 91 | 83 | 95 | 95 | 100 |
5 | Travel Guard | 91 | 88 | 86 | 98 | 100 |
6 | Travel Insured | 91 | 92 | 86 | 89 | 95 |
7 | BHTP | 90 | 87 | 90 | 96 | 100 |
Best Overall for Asia Travel
World Nomads
World Nomads Standard ranks first for Asia travel with a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100, scoring 98 for affordability.
Why it wins:
- Flat rate of $94 regardless of trip cost - ideal for backpackers and extended travelers
- 100% trip cancellation coverage
- $750,000 evacuation coverage
- Adventure sports included
- Strong support networks across Southeast Asia
Purchase timing: Within seven days of initial deposit for cancel for any reason coverage.
Best for Budget-Conscious Travelers
Generali Global Assistance
Generali Global Assistance Standard ranks second with a MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100, earning the highest affordability score at 94.
Cost: $73 for a week-long Asia trip with $2,500 coverage (30-year-old California traveler)
Why it wins:
- $100,000 emergency medical coverage
- $100,000 evacuation
- 100% trip cancellation
- Three plan tiers: Standard ($73), Preferred ($86), Premium ($107)
Purchase timing: Within 24 hours of initial deposit for cancel for any reason coverage.
Best for Comprehensive Coverage
IMG
IMglobal Lite ranks fourth with a MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100, earning the highest coverage score at 95.
Cost: $76 for a week-long Asia trip with $2,500 coverage (30-year-old California traveler)
Why it wins:
- Four plan tiers: Lite ($76), Choice ($78), SE ($91), LX ($171)
- Lite plan: $50,000 medical, $100,000 evacuation
- SE and LX plans: $100,000 medical, $1,000,000 evacuation
- Higher-tier plans important for remote Asia destinations
Best for Customer Service
Travel Guard
Travel Guard Essential ranks fifth with a MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100 and the highest service score at 98.
Cost: $103 for a week-long Asia trip with $2,500 coverage (30-year-old California traveler)
Why it wins:
- Three plan tiers: Essential ($103), Preferred ($189), Deluxe ($229)
- $50,000 emergency medical coverage
- $250,000 evacuation
- 24/7 multilingual assistance
- Established Asia network for medical emergencies and claims
Purchase timing: Within 15 days of initial deposit for pre-existing condition waivers.
Asia Travel Insurance Costs by Coverage Amount
Rates below reflect a 30-year-old California resident traveling to Asia for one week in October, purchasing insurance in August. Most insurers triple premiums when moving from $2,500 to $10,000 coverage. World Nomads charges flat rates regardless of trip cost - cost-effective for expensive trips but pricier for budget travel. Generali ($73) and BHTP ($69) offer the lowest entry points. Higher coverage limits matter for Asia due to medical evacuations exceeding $100,000 from remote areas.
Generali Global Assistance | Standard | $73 | $140 | $274 |
IMglobal | Lite | $76 | $162 | $333 |
BHTP | ExactCare Value | $69 | $151 | $316 |
Travel Insured | Essential | $81 | $143 | $268 |
World Nomads | Standard | $94 | $94 | $94 |
Allianz Travel Insurance | Basic | $98 | $204 | $417 |
Travel Guard | Essential | $103 | $200 | $392 |
Travel Insurance for Asia by Destination
All seven companies charge uniform rates across Asian destinations. Unlike Latin America or Africa, where insurers adjust rates by country risk, these providers use regional pricing for all Asia destinations, including Japan, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, and China. You'll pay the same rate for low-risk Singapore as higher-risk locations because insurers group all these countries into a single "Asia" risk category.
BHTP ExactCare Value | $69 | $69 | $69 | $69 | $69 | $69 | $69 |
Generali Standard | $73 | $73 | $73 | $73 | $73 | $73 | $73 |
IMglobal Lite | $76 | $76 | $76 | $76 | $76 | $76 | $76 |
Travel Insured Essential | $81 | $81 | $81 | $81 | $81 | $81 | $81 |
World Nomads Standard | $94 | $94 | $94 | $94 | $94 | $94 | $94 |
Allianz Basic | $98 | $98 | $98 | $98 | $98 | $98 | $98 |
Travel Guard Essential | $103 | $103 | $103 | $103 | $103 | $103 | $103 |
Do You Need Travel Insurance for Asia?
Travel insurance isn't required for most Asian countries, but high medical costs, evacuation distances, and diverse healthcare quality make coverage critical for protecting your health and trip investment.
Medical costs vary substantially by country. Japan, Singapore, and South Korea charge $2,000-$5,000 per day for hospital stays. Rural areas in Indonesia, the Philippines, and India have limited facilities. U.S. health insurance rarely covers treatment abroad.
Foodborne illness causes 30-40% of Asia travel claims. Emergency room visits cost $300-$800, while hospitalizations run $2,000-$5,000. Choose plans with at least $50,000 medical coverage.
Medical evacuation costs $75,000-$150,000 from remote areas. Air ambulance transport from rural Indonesia, northern Thailand, or mountainous regions to major facilities in Singapore or Hong Kong requires substantial coverage. Complex rescues in Nepal or remote Chinese provinces exceed $200,000.
Typhoons and monsoons disrupt travel June through November. Weather-related flight cancellations and hotel closures leave travelers stranded. Trip cancellation coverage reimburses prepaid, non-refundable costs.
Adventure activities require specialized coverage. Scuba diving, skiing, trekking, and motorcycle travel trigger standard policy exclusions. Medical evacuation after these incidents costs $100,000-$200,000.
Consider travel insurance if you're visiting during monsoon season, traveling to remote areas, planning adventure activities, booking expensive tours months ahead, or visiting countries with limited healthcare infrastructure.
Asia Travel Insurance Considerations
- Healthcare Quality Varies by Country
Major cities like Tokyo, Singapore, and Seoul have world-class facilities. Rural areas in Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand have limited infrastructure. Private hospitals often require proof of insurance or upfront payment. - Language Barriers Complicate Emergencies
Few rural healthcare providers speak English fluently. Insurance companies offer 24/7 multilingual support and translation services. Travel Guard, Allianz, and Generali have strong assistance networks across Asia. - Evacuation Distances Increase Costs
Medical evacuation from rural China or Indonesia to Hong Kong or Singapore costs $75,000-$150,000. Plans with $250,000-$1,000,000 evacuation coverage address these scenarios. Standard $50,000 limits may fall short for serious emergencies. - Adventure Activities Require Special Coverage
Many travelers pursue scuba diving in the Philippines, skiing in Japan, or trekking in Nepal. Standard policies exclude or limit adventure sports. World Nomads Explorer and BHTP AdrenalineCare include adventure coverage.
How to Choose Asia Travel Insurance
- 1Assess Medical Evacuation Needs
Choose plans with at least $100,000 medical evacuation coverage. IMglobal Lite offers $100,000 per person, while IMglobal LX and Travel Guard Deluxe offer $1,000,000. Rural Indonesia, northern Thailand, and mountainous regions require higher limits.
- 2Check Coverage Area Definitions
Verify your insurer's Asia definition includes your destination. Some policies separate Southeast Asia and East Asia or exclude sanctioned countries. Review policy documents before purchase.
- 3Review Pre-Existing Condition Terms
Purchase within 14-21 days of initial trip deposit for pre-existing condition waivers. BHTP requires 15 days, Allianz and Travel Insured need 14 days, Travel Guard requires 15 days, and World Nomads requires seven days.
- 4Compare Trip Interruption Percentages
Choose plans covering 100-150% of trip costs. BHTP and IMglobal offer 150% trip interruption coverage, while Generali, World Nomads, and Travel Guard offer 100%. Higher percentages cover additional transportation and accommodation.
- 5Evaluate Cancel for Any Reason Options
Cancel for any reason coverage refunds 50-75% of trip costs for cancellations not covered by standard policies. Purchase Generali within 24 hours or Travel Guard within 15 days of initial deposit. World Nomads requires seven days. Not available in New York.
Travel Insurance for Asia: FAQs
What are common trip cancellation reasons for Asia travel?
Weather-related cancellations include typhoons in Southeast Asia (June-November), monsoons in India (June-September), and earthquakes in Japan and Indonesia. Political instability occasionally affects Thailand, Myanmar, and Hong Kong. Illness from contaminated food or water causes 20-30% of claims. Airline strikes and regional carrier mechanical issues create unexpected delays.
What's the best travel insurance for Southeast Asia backpackers?
World Nomads Standard works well for backpackers at $94 for unlimited trip length. The plan charges flat rates regardless of trip cost, covering multi-country itineraries. World Nomads includes adventure sports and has strong support networks in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines. The Explorer plan at $157 adds higher medical limits.
Do I need travel insurance if I have international health coverage?
International health coverage often excludes trip cancellation, evacuation and baggage protection. Your health plan may cover medical expenses but won't reimburse prepaid hotels, tours or flights if you cancel. Medical evacuation costs $50,000-$150,000 in Asia, which most health plans don't cover.
How much does travel insurance cost for a two-week Asia trip?
Two-week Asia trips with $3,000 coverage cost approximately 10-15% more than one-week trips. Estimated costs: BHTP ExactCare Value $80-90, Generali Standard $85-95, IMglobal Lite $85-95, Travel Insured Essential $90-100. Actual rates depend on traveler age, destination, and purchase timing.
How We Chose the Best Asia Travel Insurance
MoneyGeek evaluated travel insurance companies for Asia trips using four weighted scoring components:
Affordability (40%): Average premium costs across $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 trip coverage levels. Lower costs ranked higher.
Coverage (30%): Analysis of seven key metrics, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, baggage loss, trip delay, and baggage delay coverage limits.
Service & Claims (25%): Customer experience evaluation based on 24/7 availability, support channels (phone, email, chat, mobile app), digital self-service capabilities, and app store ratings.
Financial Stability (5%): AM Best ratings measuring insurer financial strength. A+ ratings scored 100 points, A to A- ratings scored 95 points.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.