To choose travel insurance well, start from your destination: your national health cover rarely follows you abroad, and outside the few places covered by a reciprocal scheme, medical bills are yours to pay and can be very high. Then check what your credit card already covers, and fill the gaps with a dedicated policy.
This guide explains what state health cover gives you abroad (for UK and US travelers), what a credit card and a dedicated policy cover, which countries require insurance on entry, and what to ask before signing. We do not quote generic coverage amounts: they vary from one policy and one card to another, and only your policy document is binding. For Europe, our page on the European health insurance card (EHIC/GHIC) explains how the scheme works.
Travel insurance key facts
- UK travelers in Europe: the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) covers medically necessary state healthcare in the countries it applies to; it does not cover private treatment, repatriation or ski and mountain rescue, and it is not a replacement for travel insurance (NHS).
- US travelers: Medicare usually does not cover health care outside the U.S. (Medicare.gov), and most hospitals abroad do not accept U.S. health insurance (U.S. Department of State).
- Credit card: cover varies by card and is often tied to paying for the trip with it. Read the benefits guide.
- Countries that require it: mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar (mandatory Tanzanian government-provided inbound insurance, according to the UK FCDO).
- Criterion no. 1: the limit for medical expenses and repatriation, matched to the cost of care in the country you visit.
What state health cover gives you abroad
UK travelers: the GHIC
According to the NHS (page last reviewed 12 December 2023, read on 12 November 2026), the UK Global Health Insurance Card covers necessary state healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until you are back in the UK, including emergency treatment, treatment for long-term or pre-existing conditions and routine maternity care. It is valid in the countries of the European Economic Area, and in a few other places such as Montenegro and Australia. In Switzerland it applies only to certain groups, so check before you travel.
Its limits, as set out by the NHS: it does not cover treatment in a private facility, ski or mountain rescue, or being flown back to the UK, and you may have to pay a contribution that local residents also pay. The NHS states that the card « is not a replacement for travel insurance ».
US travelers: your health plan usually stays at home
Medicare.gov (read on 12 November 2026) says Medicare usually does not cover health care while you are traveling outside the U.S., with narrow exceptions: for example, certain inpatient hospital, doctor and ambulance services in a foreign hospital in specific circumstances, and some care on cruise ships near U.S. ports. Prescription drugs bought outside the U.S. are not covered. Medicare.gov adds that Medicare supplement (Medigap) policies may cover emergency care when you travel outside the U.S.; check the terms of your own plan.
The U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, Tanzania page, last updated September 03, 2026, read on 12 November 2026) puts it plainly: U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas, and most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. In practice, expect to pay on the spot and claim back from your insurer.
Elsewhere: you pay locally
Outside the countries covered by a reciprocal scheme, care is paid for on the spot, in public and private facilities alike. Whether and how much you can claim back depends on your own insurer, and the amount is often far below the real bill. Countries such as the United States, Canada and several Asian countries are known for high medical costs, so a dedicated assistance or insurance policy is advisable there.
Credit card or dedicated insurance?
Many credit cards include travel assistance and insurance. Their real value depends on three points, which you will find in the card’s benefits guide (available from your bank or card issuer):
- The payment condition: some cover applies only if the ticket or the trip was paid for with the card.
- The limits: medical expenses, repatriation, cancellation, baggage. They differ a great deal between a standard card and a premium card.
- Duration and people covered: cover may be limited in time per trip, and a spouse or children are not always covered on the same terms.
| Situation | Credit card | Dedicated insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Short stay in Europe with a state health card (UK GHIC) | Often enough as a complement, check the benefits guide | Useful for a risky sport or a ski trip |
| Trip to the United States, Canada or Asia | To check: the medical expenses limit is decisive | Recommended if the card’s limit looks low |
| Long trip (several months) | Cover duration is often limited | Generally essential (« long-stay » policies) |
| Ticket paid for another way than with the card | Cover is sometimes void | Cover independent of the payment method |
| Country requiring a certificate | The bank’s certificate is not always accepted | Named certificate issued by the insurer |
Insurance, assistance: what is the difference?
The two words are often mixed up in policies. Assistance organizes and pays for an intervention during the trip: sending a doctor, advancing or paying hospital costs, repatriation, an early return if a close relative dies. Insurance reimburses a financial loss: cancellation, lost baggage, medical costs left to you. A « comprehensive » policy usually combines both. For cancellation cover in particular, our page on trip cancellation insurance details cover, exclusions and the role of the credit card.
By traveler profile
| Profile | What to check first |
|---|---|
| Family | Cover for children and spouse, even if they did not pay with the card; a state health card for each child where applicable |
| Senior | Any age limit in the policy, handling of pre-existing conditions |
| Sporty (skiing, diving, trekking) | Activity not excluded, search and rescue costs included |
| Long stay, working holiday, round the world | Maximum duration covered, long-stay policy, renewal from abroad |
| Frequent traveler | Annual multi-trip policy, maximum duration per trip |
Pre-existing conditions and pregnancy
If you have a chronic condition or are pregnant, read the exclusions carefully: some policies exclude the consequences of a condition known before departure. For UK travelers, the NHS says the GHIC covers treatment for long-term or pre-existing conditions and routine maternity care in the state system, within the countries where it applies. For regular medication, take enough with you and the prescription, ideally with the generic name of the drugs.
Common pitfalls
- Assuming your health plan travels with you: Medicare usually does not cover care abroad, and the GHIC does not cover private care or repatriation. Check your own policy.
- Forgetting the card’s payment condition: a trip paid for with vouchers, a credit or another card can void the cover.
- Buying the same cover twice: a premium card and a full policy often overlap. Compare before you buy.
- Ignoring advised-against areas: the UK FCDO notes that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice (GOV.UK, Tanzania page, updated 20 October 2026, read on 12 November 2026). Check your insurer’s terms for your own government’s advice.
- Leaving without the assistance number: note it offline, with your policy number.
Countries that require insurance
Some countries require proof of insurance on entry. On the destinations covered by our site, we found the following, according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, Tanzania advice updated 20 October 2026, read on 12 November 2026):
| Destination | Requirement | Our page |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar | All visitors except residents must have mandatory Tanzanian government-provided inbound travel insurance, even with a personal policy in place; valid for the duration of the stay (up to 92 days); you only need to buy it for your first port of entry. For purchases after 1 October: arriving in Zanzibar first, buy from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC); arriving in mainland Tanzania first, buy from the National Insurance Corporation (NIC). You may be refused entry without it. | Visiting Zanzibar and Visiting Tanzania |
The list can change and other countries (for certain visas in particular) may ask for a certificate: check the entry requirements of your destination on GOV.UK (UK travelers) or travel.state.gov (US travelers) before each departure. Carry a certificate in English or in the local language, with your dates and the amount of cover.
Cover to look at
Medical expenses and repatriation
This is the essential cover outside the places covered by a reciprocal scheme. Look at the medical expenses limit, whether hospital costs are paid directly (the insurer pays the hospital, you do not advance the money) and the conditions of repatriation. For countries where care is very expensive, a high limit is a priority criterion.
Cancellation
It reimburses the costs you have incurred if you have to give up the trip for a reason listed in the policy. Read the list of reasons: illness, death of a close relative, redundancy… Some policies require you to take them out soon after booking.
Baggage and liability
Baggage cover often has per-item limits and exclusions (valuables, electronics). Personal liability cover abroad pays for damage caused to others; it is not always included in your home insurance when you are outside your home country.
Excluded activities and areas
Diving, off-piste skiing, high-altitude trekking, motorbikes: check they are not excluded. Countries or regions that your government formally advises against may also be excluded from cover.
How to compare two policies
- List your destination, dates, travelers and planned activities.
- Read your credit card’s benefits guide to see what is already covered.
- Compare the limits for medical expenses and repatriation, then the excess (deductible).
- Check direct payment of hospital stays and the 24/7 assistance number.
- Check the exclusions (sports, pre-existing conditions, advised-against areas).
- For a country that requires it, make sure the certificate you are given meets the entry rules.
A cheaper policy is only worthwhile if it covers your situation. For a long trip, also see our round-the-world guide; for the full departure checklist, our trip preparation page.
What to take before you leave
- For UK travelers heading to a country where it applies, your GHIC (and one for each traveler).
- Your named proof of insurance, in English if possible, especially for a country that requires it on entry.
- Your policy number and 24/7 assistance number, noted offline and on paper.
- The benefits guide of the credit card you used to pay for the trip, in digital form.
- Prescriptions for current treatments, and your doctor’s contact details.
- The contact details of your country’s embassy or consulate, shown on the destination’s travel advice page.
Before you leave, tell your bank and check that you can approve a payment from abroad: if the insurer does not pay the hospital directly, you have to advance the costs, which may exceed your usual limits. Finally, if you travel with a tour operator, look at the insurance offered at booking: it may duplicate your card or your annual policy.
If something goes wrong on site
- Call the assistance number of your policy or card first, before incurring large costs.
- Keep all invoices and proof of payment.
- Claim reimbursement from your insurer when you get home, with the itemized bills and receipts.
- Your embassy or consulate can point you to an approved doctor or one who speaks your language.
Comparing the options at a glance
There is no « best travel insurance » in the abstract: the right one is the one whose limits cover the cost of care in your destination. This table summarizes what each option covers, according to the principles detailed above.
| Option | Medical expenses | Repatriation | Cancellation | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State health card (UK GHIC) | Medically necessary state care in the countries where it applies, on local terms | No | No | No private care, no ski or mountain rescue, not a replacement for insurance |
| Credit card | Depends on the card, with limits and excesses | Depends on the card | Depends on the card | Cover often tied to paying for the trip with the card |
| Dedicated policy | Yes, limit of your choice | Yes | Optional or included depending on the policy | Exclusions (sports, pre-existing conditions) |
| Long-stay insurance | Yes, over several months | Yes | Rarely | For a round-the-world trip or a long stay |
See also: the departure checklist, solo travel, Europe with children and touring trips.
Frequently asked questions
Is travel insurance compulsory?
Not for most destinations, but some countries require it: mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar require government-provided inbound insurance, according to the UK FCDO (updated 20 October 2026). Check the advice for your destination on GOV.UK or travel.state.gov.
Is the GHIC enough to travel in Europe?
For UK travelers, it covers medically necessary state healthcare in the countries where it applies, but not private care, rescue or repatriation, and the NHS says it is not a replacement for travel insurance.
Does Medicare cover me abroad?
Usually not: Medicare.gov says it usually does not cover health care outside the U.S., with narrow exceptions. Medigap policies may cover emergency care abroad; check your plan.
Does my credit card cover my medical costs abroad?
Often yes, within the limits and conditions set out in its benefits guide: limits, the requirement to have paid for the trip with the card, maximum duration. Ask your bank or card issuer for the guide.
When should I take out cancellation insurance?
At the time of booking or soon after: some policies set a deadline for taking them out after you buy the trip. Read the conditions.
What is the best travel insurance?
The one whose limits for medical expenses and repatriation match the cost of care in the country you visit, with no exclusion that affects your trip (activities, condition, duration). Compare the policy documents, not just the price.
What is repatriation insurance?
An assistance cover that organizes and pays for your return home for medical reasons, under the terms of the policy. The GHIC does not cover it.
Our sources
- NHS, « Apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) » (nhs.uk, last reviewed 12 December 2023), read on 12 November 2026.
- Medicare.gov, « Travel outside the U.S. », read on 12 November 2026.
- U.S. Department of State, Tanzania country information (travel.state.gov, last updated September 03, 2026), read on 12 November 2026.
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Tanzania (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026), read on 12 November 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
