Bali is one of Australia’s favourite holiday destinations. But it’s not all fun in the sun. Scooter crashes, food poisoning, and lost phones can turn your relaxing island escape into quite a headache.
That’s why a solid travel insurance policy is essential before you leave Aussie shores.
This guide sets out what travel insurance for Bali should cover, how to compare policies, and the common pitfalls to avoid.
Key points:
Medicare and Australian private health cover likely won’t help cover your costs if you need medical treatment in Bali.
Rather, you’ll typically need travel insurance to cover costs associated with overseas medical treatment, flight cancellations and delays, or lost items.
Adventure activities like riding scooters or surfing the Bali breaks may require extra cover depending on your policy.
Do I need travel insurance for Bali?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory for entry to Bali, but the Australian government strongly recommends you hold travel insurance when holidaying in Indonesia.
Travel insurance for medical costs
Indonesia does not have a reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA) with Australia. That means you’ll need to pay out of pocket if you need medical treatment in Bali.
Travel insurance with unlimited overseas medical cover can help cover costs associated with hospital stays, doctor visits, emergency surgery, or even medical evacuation back to Australia.
Travel insurance for emergencies
Bali is prone to natural disasters, petty crime, and traffic accidents.
Travel insurance may also help cover some of the costs associated with stolen phones or luggage, and flight delays or cancellations due to severe weather events.
ALERT!
The Australian Government typically won’t pay your overseas medical bills. Travel insurance may be your only financial protection if something goes wrong in Bali.
Source: Smartraveller
What should my Bali travel insurance cover?
Travel insurance usually comes in three tiers: Basic, Essential, and Comprehensive.
Basic travel insurance: Basic plans often cover overseas emergency medical costs only. These are typically best for budget travellers who want medical protection.
Essential travel insurance: Essential plans usually cover medical expenses, trip cancellations, and lost luggage up to a certain value.
Comprehensive travel insurance: Comprehensive plans tend to cover more benefits with higher limits, including personal liability, rental car excess, and travel delays.
PRO TIP! To cover injuries associated with high-risk activities like riding scooters or surfing you may need to add additional optional cover for adventure activities.
Source: Cover-More
How much does travel insurance for Bali cost?
The cost of travel insurance varies based on your age, trip length, level of cover, and extras like adventure sports or COVID-19 protection. However, many insurers may allow you to choose a higher excess in order to reduce the premium you pay.
What is travel insurance excess? Excess is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim before your insurer pays the rest. You only pay excess if you make a claim.
What are travel insurance premiums? Premiums are the payment or payments you make to buy the policy. You must pay a premium or premiums regardless of whether you make a claim or not.
What activities need extra cover in Bali?
Some popular Bali activities may be excluded from standard policies. You may need to pay for extra cover for high-risk or adventure activities.
Bail activities that often need add-on cover
Scooter or motorcycle riding
Surfing and diving
Volcano hiking
Quad biking
White-water rafting
Paula’s Story
Paula hired a scooter to get around Seminyak. She wore a helmet and had an Australian driver’s licence but didn’t realise her travel insurance didn’t cover scooter accidents. After breaking her leg, she was left with a $9,000 hospital bill.
Always check if your licence and the type of the vehicle you’re driving meet the requirements of your policy requirements.
What’s not covered by most Bali travel insurance policies?
Insurers may exclude claims in high-risk scenarios, and typically reserve the right to deny claims under certain circumstances.
Common travel insurance exclusions for Bali*
Riding scooters without a licence or helmet
Leaving luggage unattended
Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Ignoring government travel warnings
Pre-existing medical conditions not declared upfront
*These are general guidelines only. Actual exclusions vary between insurers and policies.
What seasonal weather risks should I be aware of in Bali?
While Bali’s tropical setting is part of its charm, the island is also prone to seasonal weather risks like heavy rains, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes that can cause serious disruptions to your travel plans.
Fortunately, travel insurance may help reduce the financial stress if your trip is affected by one of these events.
Depending on the insurer and your level of cover, travel insurance may cover:
Flight delays or cancellations due to volcanic ash clouds, storms, or unsafe travel conditions
Emergency evacuation and assistance if you’re impacted by a natural disaster
Medical treatment if you’re injured during an event like an earthquake or flood
Accommodation or rescheduling costs if your trip is cut short or needs to be extended
Common weather risks in Bali
Season | Weather Risk | What to Know |
Nov-Mar | Wet season | Heavy rainfall is typical, and may cause flooding that can contribute to flight delays and cancellations. |
Year-round | Volcanic activity | Volcanos in Bali like Mount Agung and Mount Batur may pose a risk of eruption with little notice. |
Year-round | Earthquakes | Earthquakes can be common in Indonesia. Check Smartraveller alerts regularly to stay informed. |
PRO TIP!
Travel insurance may cover weather-related claims, but – in some cases – only if the event wasn’t forecast or in progress at the time you purchased the policy.
Source: smartraveller.gov.au
Need travel insurance for Bali? The experts at Compare Club can help you compare travel insurance policies to find the right cover for you.
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Disclaimer:
Compare Club Australia Pty Ltd ABN 29 634 600 007 of 222 Pitt Street Sydney (Ph: 1300 904 624) owns and operates compareclub.com.au and its associated websites. The information contained in this email is of general nature only and has been prepared without taking into consideration your objectives, needs and financial situation. We compare selected products from a panel of trusted insurers. We do not compare all products in the market.
