We evaluated 13 major travel insurance providers for Middle East coverage, scoring each on affordability, coverage quality, claims service and financial stability. IMG Choice ranks first with strong medical limits, political evacuation benefits and Arabic-speaking assistance centers.
Best Travel Insurance for the Middle East
IMG Choice ranks first for Middle East travel with a 94 MoneyGeek score, offering $100,000 in medical coverage and $500,000 in evacuation protection for $78.
Find the best travel insurance for your Middle East trip below.
Updated: February 5, 2026
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Key Takeaways
IMG Choice costs $78 for week-long Middle East trips and includes 75% cancel for any reason coverage with no dollar cap.
Travelex excludes Israel and Palestinian Territories from all plans; IMG, Generali, Allianz, and World Nomads cover the full region.
Choose plans with minimum $250,000 evacuation coverage for remote destinations like Petra, Cappadocia and Omani deserts.
Best Travel Insurance Companies for The Middle East
1 | IMG | Choice | 94 | $78 | $100,000 | $500,000 | Yes |
2 | Generali | Standard | 92 | $123 | $50,000 | $250,000 | Yes |
3 | Travel Insured | Essential | 91 | $81 | $50,000 | $200,000 | Yes |
4 | BHTP | ExactCare Value | 91 | $69 | $15,000 | $150,000 | Yes |
5 | Nationwide | Essential | 91 | $71 | $75,000 | $500,000 | Yes |
Note: Costs based on 30-year-old traveler, 7-day trip, $2,500 trip cost to UAE.
Best Overall for Middle East Trips
IMG
MoneyGeek Score: 94 out of 100
IMG Choice offers strong coverage at $78 for 7-day Middle East trips. It provides $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, $500,000 in medical evacuation, and $1,000 in baggage protection. The plan includes 75% Cancel For Any Reason coverage with no dollar cap, important for Middle East political flexibility. IMG has regional assistance centers with Arabic-speaking staff and covers the UAE, Turkey and Israel.
Best for Budget Travelers
Travelex
MoneyGeek Score: 87 out of 100
Travelex Essential covers 7-day Middle East trips for $62. It includes $25,000 in emergency medical benefits, $200,000 in evacuation, and $750 in baggage coverage. The plan excludes Israel, Palestinian Territories, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus but covers the UAE and Turkey without restrictions.
Best Medical Coverage
IMG
MoneyGeek Score: 88 out of 100
IMG LX provides $500,000 in emergency medical coverage and $1 million in medical evacuation. These are the highest limits for Middle East travel. The plan covers $150,000 in trip cancellation and includes 75% Cancel for Any Reason coverage. It also provides political evacuation for emergency departures from unstable regions. Dubai ICU stays cost $3,000 per night.
Best for Turkey Trips
Generali Global Assistance
MoneyGeek Score: 92 out of 100
Generali Standard costs $73 for 7-day Turkey trips. The plan covers $50,000 in emergency medical care, $250,000 in evacuation, and 100% of trip costs up to $50,000. Turkey adventure activities like hot air ballooning in Cappadocia and Mediterranean diving receive standard coverage. No riders needed. Generali's Istanbul assistance center works with top Turkish hospitals, including American Hospital and Acibadem. The pre-existing condition waiver applies when you buy within 24 hours of your first trip deposit.
Best for UAE/Dubai Trips
Travel Insured
MoneyGeek Score: 91 out of 100
Travel Insured Essential provides $50,000 in emergency medical coverage, $200,000 in evacuation, and $750 in baggage protection for $81. A hospital night at Dubai's Mediclinic Parkview costs $2,500. The 24/7 assistance team works with Dubai Healthcare City facilities and provides direct billing to Rashid Hospital and Emirates hospitals.
How Much Is Travel Insurance for Middle East Trips?
Turkey costs less than UAE due to lower regional medical expenses. A $2,500 7-day trip to Turkey costs $62 to $171. The same UAE trip costs $69 to $171. Trip cost affects pricing, with a $10,000 Dubai trip costs $268 to $835 depending on coverage level.
Average Cost by Destination and Trip Cost
Travelex Essential | $62 | $202 | $481 | $62 | $202 | $481 |
BHTP ExactCare Value | $69 | $151 | $316 | $69 | $151 | $316 |
Nationwide Essential | $71 | $222 | $522 | $69 | $215 | $507 |
IMG Choice | $78 | $146 | $281 | $78 | $146 | $281 |
Travel Insured Essential | $81 | $143 | $268 | $81 | $143 | $268 |
Generali Standard | $123 | $235 | $459 | $73 | $140 | $275 |
IMG LX | $171 | $393 | $835 | $171 | $393 | $835 |
Note: Prices based on single 30-year-old traveler for 7-day trip purchased 60 days before departure.
What Travel Insurance Covers in the Middle East
Dubai hospital stays cost $2,500+ per night. Turkey's lower costs still require coverage, as hospitals don't accept U.S. insurance. An air ambulance from Dubai to London costs $85,000.
Recommended minimum coverage:
- Emergency medical: $50,000 short trips, $100,000 extended trips, $250,000 long-term stays
- Medical evacuation: $250,000 minimum, $500,000+ for remote areas
- Trip cancellation: 100% of prepaid costs
- Pre-existing condition waiver: Purchase within 14 to 21 days of first deposit
Important for the Middle East:
- High evacuation limits for remote areas
- Political evacuation coverage for unstable regions (IMG LX, World Nomads Epic, BHTP LuxuryCare)
- Cancel for Any Reason coverage for flexibility with regional political changes
- 24/7 multilingual assistance
Coverage by Middle East Destination
Dubai and UAE Travel Insurance
Dubai hospitals charge $2,500+ per night for standard stays. A 3-day hospitalization costs $10,000 to $20,000, with ER visits starting at $800 and ICU care running $3,000+ nightly.
Standard coverage applies to desert safaris, dune bashing, indoor skiing and scuba diving. Skydiving requires a sports rider costing an additional $40 to $75.
Turkey Travel Insurance
Istanbul and Ankara hospitals charge $150 to $300 per day, with emergency care averaging $500 to $1,500. Rural areas lack advanced facilities, making evacuation coverage critical for Cappadocia, eastern regions and remote areas.
Hot air balloon rides receive standard coverage. Paragliding, whitewater rafting, and technical climbing require an extreme sports rider ($50 to $100).
Israel Travel Insurance
Hospital stays cost $1,500 to $3,000 per day, while ER visits run $600 to $1,200. Travelex excludes Israel and the Palestinian Territories entirely. Verify your policy covers Israel explicitly before purchasing. Minimum $100,000 medical and $250,000 evacuation coverage is recommended for all Israel trips.
Middle East Travel Insurance Coverage Comparison
IMG | Yes | Yes | Yes | Up to $500,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (75%) |
Generali | Yes | Yes | Yes | Up to $250,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (75%) |
Allianz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Up to $75,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (80%) |
Travel Insured | Yes | Yes | Yes | Up to $500,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Bundle option |
World Nomads | Yes | Yes | Yes | Up to $250,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (50-75%) |
BHTP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Up to $100,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (50%) |
AXA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Up to $250,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (75%) |
Nationwide | Yes | Yes | Yes | Up to $150,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (75%) |
Travel Guard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Up to $150,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (50%) |
Seven Corners | Yes | Yes | Yes | Up to $500,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (75%) |
Tin Leg | Yes | Yes | Yes | Up to $500,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (75%) |
World Trips | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies by state | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (50% to 75%) |
Travelex | Yes | Yes | No | Up to $250,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (75%) |
Do You Need Travel Insurance for Middle East Trips?
Middle East destinations don't require travel insurance for U.S. travelers. But high medical costs and evacuation expenses make coverage recommended for most trips.
- Dubai and the UAE medical costs match U.S. prices. A broken bone treatment runs $8,000 to $15,000. Coverage is recommended for all travelers.
- Turkey's hospitals don't accept U.S. insurance and require upfront cash payments. Buy coverage for trips longer than a week or when planning adventure activities.
- Israel trips combine high medical costs with political risk. Security situations change rapidly, making Cancel for Any Reason coverage valuable for all travelers.
- Remote destinations like Petra, Cappadocia, Omani deserts, and rural areas need high evacuation coverage due to limited medical facilities. Adventure activities, including hot air ballooning, scuba diving, desert safaris, and paragliding, require sports coverage riders.
- Travelers with pre-existing conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or chronic illnesses need coverage because regional hospitals may lack specialized care.
- Short Dubai trips don't need separate travel insurance if you have credit card coverage with minimum $100,000 medical and $250,000 evacuation limits, and you can cover $10,000+ in medical costs out of pocket.
- Istanbul business travelers can skip coverage if their employer provides international health insurance and they're staying near major hospitals.
- Trips with prepaid expenses under $1,000 may not justify insurance costs if you can absorb the loss.
How to Choose Travel Insurance for Middle East Trips
- 1Verify Middle East Destination Coverage
Travelex excludes Israel, the Palestinian Territories, and several high-risk regions. Most insurers cover the UAE, Turkey, Jordan and Oman. Review policy geographic exclusions before purchasing.
- 2Assess Middle East Evacuation Coverage Limits
Choose plans with minimum $250,000 medical evacuation coverage for remote areas like Petra, Cappadocia, Omani deserts and Wadi Rum.
- 3Compare Emergency Medical Coverage
Select $50,000 minimum for short trips, $100,000+ for extended stays.
- 4Review Trip Cancellation Protection
Cancel For Any Reason coverage reimburses 50% to 80% of prepaid costs when you cancel for any reason, providing flexibility for political changes.
- 5Confirm 24/7 Emergency Assistance
Choose insurers with multilingual teams in Middle East time zones. IMG, Generali, and Allianz have regional centers with Arabic-speaking staff.
Middle East Travel Insurance: FAQ
Does travel insurance cover COVID-19 related cancellations for Middle East trips?
Most plans cover COVID-19 as a standard illness for medical treatment but exclude cancellations due to fear of infection. You need Cancel For Any Reason coverage to cancel for COVID concerns. CFAR reimburses 50% to 80% of trip costs when you cancel for any reason.
Can I purchase travel insurance if I'm already in the Middle East?
Seven Corners, World Nomads, and IMG allow purchases after trip start for travelers already abroad. Coverage begins 24 to 48 hours after purchase and excludes any incidents occurring before policy activation. Prices run 20% to 40% higher than pre-departure purchases.
Do credit card travel benefits cover Middle East trips adequately?
Credit card coverage maxes at $100,000 for medical evacuation and often excludes destinations with State Department warnings. Cards also require charging the full trip cost to the card and may not cover trip cancellation for illness. Dedicated travel insurance provides higher limits and broader coverage.
How We Chose the Best Travel Insurance for the Middle East
MoneyGeek analyzed travel insurance plans from 13 major providers for Middle East destinations. We evaluated companies using a weighted scoring system: affordability (40%), coverage quality (30%), claims and service (25%), and financial stability (5%).
Pricing data reflects quotes for 30-year-old California residents traveling to UAE and Turkey for 7 days with trip costs of $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000. Quotes obtained October 2024, purchased 60 days before departure.
Coverage analysis reviewed policy documents for emergency medical limits, evacuation benefits, trip cancellation protection, and geographic restrictions. We verified which providers exclude Israel and other Middle East destinations from coverage.
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.