Emergency-Only Coverage
Travel insurance that only covers unexpected emergencies — hospitalisations, accidents, evacuations — not routine care or preventive visits.
Travel insurance that only covers unexpected emergencies — hospitalisations, accidents, evacuations — not routine care or preventive visits.
Also known as
Emergency Medical Coverage, Catastrophic Only Policy
Real-world example
You buy the cheapest travel policy for a two-week Europe trip. You develop a sinus infection and visit a GP: not covered. You break your ankle hiking: fully covered. Emergency-only is a catastrophic-only safety net, not a health plan.
Country-specific notes
🇪🇺 European Union
EHIC/GHIC stacks with emergency-only.
EU travellers rely on EHIC for public-system emergencies, then use emergency-only private insurance for repatriation and private hospital fallback.
EHIC does not cover private hospitals — your emergency-only policy does.
🇺🇸 United States
Emergency-only is usually inadequate.
US medical pricing is so high that a "minor" ER visit can easily cost $5,000+, exceeding many emergency-only policy sub-limits.
Confirm the sum insured is at least $250,000 before travelling to the US.
🇹🇭 Southeast Asia
Good fit for short trips.
Hospitals in Bangkok and Bali are affordable at the point of care; emergency-only cover mainly protects against worst-case hospital stays and evacuation.
Pay cash for GP visits; keep itemised receipts regardless.
Frequently asked questions
Is emergency-only enough for a two-week holiday?
Usually yes — for unexpected hospital visits and repatriation. You pay cash for minor GP visits and prescriptions, which are typically cheap in most countries anyway.
Can I upgrade to cover routine care?
Yes — most insurers offer "comprehensive" tiers that add GP visits, outpatient treatment, and sometimes dental for a higher premium.
Save your schedule of benefits to your Nomedic vault so you can confirm coverage before you pay at the hospital desk.