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Bali attracts millions of tourists from all over the world with its beaches, waves, unique culture and tropical climate. However, traveling to this corner of Indonesia comes with risks that cannot be ignored. These risks are due to the local peculiarities of the island – mosquitoes, bikes, monkeys or dogs, poisoning. Tourists have the question whether and how to choose insurance for travel to Bali in 2025. I will talk about all of these below.
Medical care on the island is expensive, if we are talking about private clinics with the necessary equipment. Common illnesses such as poisoning or allergic reactions may require hospitalization, not to mention injuries sustained while driving a bike or surfing. Travel insurance covers medical treatment, medication and emergency transportation, saving travelers from financial problems in case of emergencies.
I have been living in Bali for over 8 months now and lead a fairly active lifestyle. So, unfortunately, I have often had to go to local clinics for insurance. In the article below, I will tell you about my experience with paid medicine in Bali. I will show you how much some services cost me, and answer the question – whether you need insurance to travel to Bali and how to choose an insurance to avoid problems in the future.
Why do you need travel insurance for travel to Bali?
Travel insurance for Bali is not just a formality but a necessity for every traveler. Here are the main reasons why it is important when traveling to Bali:
- High cost of medical services
Medical care in Bali can be very expensive for foreigners. Common illnesses such as poisoning or allergic reactions can require hospitalization, not to mention injuries sustained while cycling or surfing. I am a member of many chat rooms and groups with tourists living in Bali. And I see weekly posts in these groups about fundraising for medical treatment or surgery for some tourist who doesn’t happen to have insurance.
In November 2024, I was injured and referred to Siloam Intarnational Hospital for a shoulder MRI. You can see the cost of the MRI in the screenshot of the bill below. I don’t know why the invoice has a discount, and I don’t know how much my insurance paid the clinic. But we have two prices: 8.374.000 IDR (533 USD) and 5.024.000 IDR (305 USD). Dollar prices are current as of November 2024. This invoice is only an example of the cost of medical services in Bali. For more details, you can always check the prices on the websites of private clinics in Bali. For example, here’s a link to Siloam International Hospital’s rates.
- Risks associated with active travel
Bali is famous for its extreme sports: surfing, diving, trekking and others. Unfortunately, these activities are often associated with injuries. This is a special risk area. And you need to take care of your insurance in advance. Many insurance companies offer special insurance for extreme sports. Yes, such insurance will cost more. But in case of an accident, it will cover the costs of treatment and rehabilitation.
- Local features of Bali
Bali lies in a seismically active zone. Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis are rare but possible events. Insurance may cover trip cancellation or additional expenses if you find yourself in a disaster zone. The tropical climate is dangerous, with mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus, which is a serious health threat.
Medical services in Bali: what should tourists expect?
The medical infrastructure in Bali is quite developed, but has its own peculiarities:
- Private clinics vs. public hospitals
Private clinics such as BIMC Hospital or Siloam Hospitals offer a high level of service, but their services are expensive. Government hospitals are cheaper, but the level of comfort and speed of service may be lower.
Although there are a sufficient number of private medical facilities, not all of them offer modern diagnostic equipment such as MRI and others. Many clinics have limited equipment due to the high cost of acquiring and maintaining such technology.
- Common diseases
Dengue fever, food poisoning, sunburn and injuries from falling off mopeds are common in Bali. Make sure your insurance for Bali covers treatment for these diseases.
- Language barrier
Language barriers can also be a problem. In public clinics, staff rarely speak English, unlike in private facilities. This is especially common in remote areas of Bali that are not popular with tourists. The situation is better in private clinics, where almost all doctors speak English.
- Emergency Evacuation
In case of serious injury or illness, evacuation to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, may be necessary. It is common for patients to be transported back to their home country (if they wish). Make sure that your insurance includes this option.
How to choose the best insurance for a trip to Bali?
Choosing an insurance plan depends on your needs and plans. Here are the most important criteria to look for:
- Amount of coverage
The recommended minimum amount of medical coverage is $50,000, or better yet, $100,000 or more.
- Active vacation
If you plan on surfing, diving or other extreme sports, make sure they are included in your coverage.
- Bikeshare trips
I’ve included this in a separate item because it’s the most popular mode of transportation on the island of Bali. And it’s an injury-prone mode of transportation, never forget that. That’s why it’s worth looking at insurance policies that provide protection against medical expenses caused by road accidents on a bike.
- Natural disasters
Make sure your insurance covers trip cancellation or extra expenses in the event of a volcanic eruption or earthquake.
- Emergency medical evacuation coverage
Complex cases may require transportation to Jakarta or your home country. This is a very expensive procedure, make sure it is included in the insurance.
- Assistance company
Find out which assistance company the insurance company works with. The assistance company will provide you with help abroad: organizing medical care, providing an interpreter, and other problems. In the event of a claim, you will be dealing with the assistance company. Therefore, their professionalism, customer orientation, desire to help you sooner rather than later – will play a key role.
- Reputation of the insurance and assistance company. Reviews from travelers
Choose proven companies with good reviews and reliable service. Read other travelers’ reviews of insurance and assistance companies to learn about their experiences.
- Deductible
The amount of the deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket) affects the cost of the insurance. The lower the deductible, the more expensive the policy.
- Exclusions
Carefully review the list of exclusions, which are cases where the insurance does not apply. For example, not all insurance policies cover moped-related injuries (traffic accidents or simply falling off the moped).
Important: It is not enough to have an insurance for Bali that covers injuries caused by riding a moped. You may also be asked for a driver’s license that authorizes you to drive a moped. Sometimes you may also be asked for proof of ownership or a leasing contract.
- Additional options
In addition to medical expenses, some plans offer coverage for other risks, such as trip cancellation/interruption, lost baggage, accidents, liability, and even legal assistance. Choose the options that fit your plans.
How and where to buy travel insurance for travel to Bali in 2025?
You can buy insurance online through aggregators or directly from the insurance company. It is important to get insurance before you arrive in Bali for 2 reasons. The first reason is to save money (it will cost more to get insurance after you arrive). The second reason is that you can protect yourself, because once you buy insurance, it will take 1-3 days to take effect (these are average values).
Specialized online services will find options for you and you can compare prices and conditions:
Visitors Coverage – travel insurance for Bali
VisitorsCoverage is a Silicon Valley-based Insurtech company headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. which provides travel insurance for millions of global travelers in over 175 countries.
They provide the following services:
- Health insurance for unexpected illnesses and injuries
- Urgent care services, including hospital stays and surgical procedures
- Emergency transport and medical evacuation
- Coverage for COVID-19-related expenses
- Compensation for lost or stolen baggage
- Coverage for prescribed medications
They have a convenient online service for selecting travel insurance, all you have to do is select the country you are going to, specify your age and dates of stay. The service will select for you possible insurance programs with detailed conditions and prices, all you have to do is choose.
The link to the online service is VisitorsCoverage.com
You can buy travel insurance online directly from insurance companies:
EKTA – Bali travel insurance
Benefits for customers:
- Work all over the World
- Insurance covers COVID -19
- Client support 24/7
- No hidden clauses in the contract
- Get insurance policy online
- 10 years experience at the insurance industry
- No hidden restrictions in medical services
To calculate the cost in 3 steps and find out the details of insurance programs, use the convenient service on their website – EKTAtraveling.com
SafetyWing – travel and nomad insurance for Bali
SafetyWing is one of the most popular and recommended insurance companies in Bali. In groups and chats of international travelers, it is very common to see mentions of one insurance company – SafetyWings.
They have a very extensive list of situations covered by the insurance, the most interesting ones are:
- Lost checked luggage
- Motor accidents
- Travel delay
- Wellness therapies
- Visits with a psychologist or psychiatrists
- Maternity care
- Trip cancellation
- Stolen belongings
You can find insurance and calculate costs online. The link is SafetyWings.com/nomad-insurance
SafetyWings also offers insurance for your employees. You can cover your entire team, both people who travel while working remotely and people who work from home. More information is available at SafetyWings.com/remote-health
Useful tips: How to avoid problems and save money on travel insurance for Bali
- Purchase insurance in advance of your trip. This will help you avoid spending extra money at the last minute.
- Read insurance policies carefully to understand which risks are covered and which are not. For example, some policies do not cover alcohol poisoning or injuries sustained while intoxicated.
- Keep your insurance company (or assistance) contact information and policy number in your phone and add them to your favorites. Write down the assistance phone number and policy number on a piece of paper and carry it in your wallet. If you are not traveling alone, ask a family member or friend to do the same.
- If possible, pay for medical services directly to the insurance company to avoid paying out of pocket and getting reimbursed later.
- Cut out unnecessary options in your insurance plan. If you don’t plan to do extreme sports, don’t pay too much to include them.
- Save all documents, screenshots (e.g., screenshots of taxi calls in the app), and photos. Receipts, medical reports, and other documents may be needed to file an insurance claim for reimbursement.
- If you get sick or injured, call your insurer immediately – they will recommend the nearest clinic and help you avoid unnecessary expenses.
- Take precautions to avoid accidents and illness: use sunscreen, drink only bottled water, avoid insect bites and be careful on the roads.
Remember, Bali travel insurance is an investment in your safety and peace of mind while traveling to Bali. Don’t skimp on insurance, choose your insurance wisely, considering your plans and possible risks. By following our advice, you will be able to enjoy your vacation in Bali without unnecessary worries.
If you have anything to add to the topic of the article or would like to share your story, write in the comments.
