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Key things to know about travel insurance for Bali
- Essential Medical Cover: Standard cards (GHIC/EHIC) are invalid in Bali; it can be a good idea that your policy includes at least £2 million in medical and repatriation cover to handle high-cost clinics or emergency air ambulances to Singapore or Australia.
- Activity Add-ons: Standard policies often exclude Bali’s popular adventures; you usually need to add specific riders for scooter riding (requires a UK motorcycle licence/IDP), scuba diving (depth limits apply), and high-altitude trekking.
- Comprehensive Protection: Secure a policy that covers theft, trip disruption (due to monsoons or cyclones), and "Bali Belly" (stomach illnesses), while ensuring all pre-existing medical conditions are fully declared to avoid rejected claims.
- Smart Booking: Use a comparison site, like PayingTooMuch, to choose between single-trip, annual, or long-stay options based on your travel frequency, and purchase insurance immediately after booking to activate cancellation protection.
Travel Insurance for Bali at a glance
Having travel insurance for your trip to Bali can save you a lot of money and give you peace of mind. Finding the right policy can be tricky sometimes, mainly because there is so much to do there, so your policy should cover everything.
Using a specialist travel insurance comparison site such as PayingTooMuch can help to simplify the process.
Bali is an Indonesian island located between Java to the west and Lombok to the east in the Lesser Sunda Islands.
You can enjoy:
- Hiking to the summit of Mount Batur (1,717m) for a spectacular sunrise view.
- Scuba diving at Manta Point
- Popular beach clubs like La Brisa or explore the trendy cafes and boutiques in Canggu and Seminyak.
You may enjoy it so much that you want to go back again. If that’s the case, you may be better off switching from a single-trip policy to an annual multi-trip policy, as it could save you both time and money.
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Why do you need travel insurance for Bali?
Travel insurance for Bali can come in very handy for the following reasons:
- High medical costs – You can access high-quality healthcare in tourist hubs like Seminyak or Ubud, but they can be expensive.
- Evacuation/medical repatriation – If you were seriously ill or injured, you may need to be flown to a more advanced hospital in nearby Singapore or Australia. This can cost tens of thousands of pounds that you would need to pay if you travel without travel insurance.
- GHIC and EHIC aren’t valid – As Indonesia isn't a part of the EU, neither of these cards provides cover. This means that if you don’t have your own travel insurance policy for your trip to Bali, you will be 100% responsible for your medical costs.
- Trip disruption – The cost of alternative accommodation and food if your flight is delayed/cancelled can add up quickly. Having travel insurance means you’ll be compensated if you need to do this and your airline doesn’t pay.
- Theft and loss – Replacing stolen, lost or damaged items can be expensive and difficult, especially when you’re abroad. Travel insurance can help cover the cost of doing this.
What does Bali travel insurance cover?
Most standard policies cover:
Medical treatment | If you came down with ‘Bali Belly' or something more serious, your costs for treatment in a hospital would be covered by travel insurance. |
Repatriation/evacuation | If you can’t return home on a commercial flight because of illness or injury, you can be flown home on an air ambulance. |
If you can’t travel or have to return home early because of an emergency, e.g., a family bereavement, illness or injury, you can be reimbursed for non-refundable costs. | |
Baggage and Possessions | As Bali is over 7,500 miles away from the UK, it’s common to take a multi-leg flight there. Changing planes can increase the risk of your luggage being lost, damaged or stolen. Travel insurance can cover you if this happens. |
Personal liability | Protects you financially if you accidentally injure someone else or damage their property. This can be very useful, as Bali can be quite crowded and fast-paced. |
Travel disruption | Flights to Bali can be disrupted by cyclones and monsoons. If your flight is cancelled or delayed, you’d be reimbursed for any additional costs, e.g., food, alternative accommodation, etc. |
Activities and add-ons to consider
It’s important to remember that while Bali is an incredible hub for adventure, many of the island’s most popular activities may not be covered by a standard travel insurance policy. These include:
- Hiring a scooter/motorcycle – This is one of the most common ways to get around Bali. If you decide to rent one and want to make sure you don’t invalidate your insurance, you should have a valid UK motorcycle licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP). You also must always wear a helmet. When comparing policies, it can be a good idea to check if the type of bike you want is covered, as many standard policies don’t cover scooters over 125cc.
- Scuba diving – Standard policies often limit cover to a depth of 18 or 30 metres. If you plan to explore deeper sites, you will need to get a deep-scuba-diving add-on.
- Hiking and trekking – While a stroll through rice paddies is usually covered, hiking up Mount Agung or Mount Batur often requires a hiking add-on and suitable altitude limits.
- Water sports – If you’re planning on going surfing, white-water rafting, or parasailing, you’ll need the specific sports add-ons to make sure you’re covered.
What is Bali Belly and am I covered?
"Bali Belly" is a colloquial name for stomach illnesses that you may suffer from eating certain foods in Bali1. Some of the common culprits are:
- Raw food
- Undercooked food
- Peeled food
- Unpasteurised dairy products
- Tap water
These foods can have norovirus and E. coli, both of which cause stomach illnesses such as food poisoning. It isn’t a condition linked to Bali specifically, as it’s possible to get food poisoning anywhere in the world.
You can help reduce the risk of getting ‘Bali Belly’ by:
- Drinking bottled water
- Only eating cooked food
- Avoid peeled fruits, raw salads, and unpasteurised dairy
- Wash your hands frequently
Most travel insurance policies cover this under medical expenses. It’s important to declare any pre-existing conditions during your medical screening, as this can make it easier to successfully claim for ‘Bali Belly' or other illnesses.
How much medical cover do I need for Bali?
A minimum of £2 million in medical cover can be helpful when travelling to Bali. It sounds like a lot, but the cost of healthcare in the region can be expensive, particularly if you need to be evacuated or medically repatriated. A medical flight to either Singapore or Australia can cost anywhere from £40,000 to £80,000. This would be even more expensive if you had to be flown back home to the UK2.
Types of travel insurance for Bali
- Single-trip cover – If your trip to Bali is your only holiday for the year, this could be suitable for you. This covers a specific set of dates and usually offers the most flexibility for older travellers or those with specific medical conditions.
- Annual Multi-Trip insurance – If you’re planning to go to Bali or somewhere else in Asia multiple times in a year, this could be better value for money. It covers unlimited trips within a 12-month period, though individual stays are typically capped at 31 days.
Do I need a visa for Bali?
To get into Bali, you’ll need a tourist visa. You can get this when you arrive; the specific name is the Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA), which costs IDR 500,000 (approx. £25) and allows a stay of up to 30 days.
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Tips for finding the right Bali travel insurance
- Only pay for add-ons if you have to – If you’re planning on having a relaxing Bali experience, lying on the beach, and walking through rice paddies, then it may not be worth paying extra for high-risk activity add-ons.
- Declare all pre-existing conditions – Being completely transparent about any pre-existing conditions is important, even if you have it under control. This is because if you make a claim that is related to your undisclosed condition, e.g., diabetes, it will likely be rejected. This means that you’d have to pay the amount in full.
- Compare medical limits – Given the high cost of medical care in Bali and the potential air ambulance fees to Singapore, compare policies to ensure they offer sufficient medical and repatriation cover (often recommended at £2 million or more).
- Buy as soon as you book – Purchase your travel insurance as soon as you book your flights or villa. This activates your cancellation cover immediately, so you can be reimbursed if you have an emergency and are unable to make your trip.
Compare all the travel insurance options available for your Bali trip today.