What is the best travel insurance for the Philippines? The archipelago of the Philippines is a mesmerizing paradise that captivates all visitors with its endless charms. With so much to see and do there, it is only natural that you would want to explore the country while being protected with the best guarantees.
Breathtaking beaches, volcanoes, charming villages, world-class diving spots, and warm-hearted locals who always greet you with a smile are just a few examples of what awaits you there.
In this guide, we will provide you with information about the best insurance policy for visiting the Philippines, the extensive coverage it offers, and how you can obtain it easily.
Take a moment to decide which swimwear you will bring, as you will soon have your insurance in hand and be ready to embark on this amazing adventure.
Why purchase travel insurance to the Philippines
A coral cut, a slip while exploring downtown Manila resulting in a sprained ankle, the common traveller’s diarrhoea that can occur from drinking untreated water, or any illness that would typically have a straightforward solution back home, could lead to seeking medical assistance in healthcare facilities with questionable reputations or incurring exorbitant bills at first-class hospitals, ultimately ruining your trip.
Therefore, it is crucial to have travel insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your visit to the Philippines. Starting in February 2022, having travel insurance has transitioned from being a mere recommendation to becoming a mandatory requirement for entry into the country. With a valid policy in hand, you can ensure that you will have access to the best specialists in the country without incurring any out-of-pocket expenses.
Nevertheless, an international insurance policy, like the one we will present in this guide, goes beyond just healthcare coverage. It offers comprehensive protection in all aspects of your trip. You will have coverage for theft, issues related to your luggage, incidents during flights (which are quite common in the country), and many other contingencies. Additionally, the policy provides the option of repatriation to your home country if necessary. Your travel insurance to the Philippines will encompass all of these benefits and much more.
What is the best travel insurance for the Philippines?
The following section will outline the essential coverages that your policy should include to ensure peace of mind during your trip. However, considering the mandatory requirement and the significance of having travel insurance, you may want to proceed with obtaining it immediately.
If that is the case, we recommend IATI Backpacker as the ideal insurance for your trip to the Philippines (click here if your country of residence is within the European Union; click here if your country of residence is not part of the European Union). It offers comprehensive coverage tailored to the specific needs of travellers to this destination.
What the best travel insurance for the Philippines should have: features
The following are essential coverages for this incredible trip, among many others, which will be included in your IATI Backpacker policy (click here if your country of residence is within the European Union; click here if your country of residence is not part of the European Union) ensuring your well-being throughout your adventure:
24-hour assistance in your language
Imagine encountering an accident, illness, or theft and having to seek assistance in a language you are not proficient in. This could lead to a loss of important details and valuable time in critical situations.
With your IATI Backpacker policy, you will always have access to assistance in your language. We can even provide a translator to facilitate communication with doctors and medical professionals if needed. Our assistance services are available round the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without any exceptions. We understand that your journey is not complete until you return home, and we want to support you at every step.
Moreover, we will reimburse you for the international call cost if you contact us via phone and provide proof of the call. This ensures that you won’t have to bear the expense of making important contact during emergencies.
Our assistance services are provided to you free of charge, available 24/7, and delivered in your preferred language.
Extensive health care coverage
First-rate medical care can be quite costly in the Philippines, even though travel expenses may not be too high. The country’s major hospitals in cities like Manila, Cebu, or Dumaguete can pose a significant financial burden for tourists.
To address this concern, your IATI Backpacker Philippines insurance offers extensive healthcare coverage, providing a remarkable coverage limit of up to 500,000 euros (yes, half a million euros!). With this coverage, you can rest assured knowing that you will have access to the finest specialists in the country without having to bear any out-of-pocket expenses.
Adventure sports
The Philippines offers a large number of thrilling adventures that you wouldn’t want to miss. These activities not only bring you closer to nature but also provide the adrenaline rush you seek during a trip like this. From scuba diving in the Coral Triangle and snorkelling among vibrant fish to trekking to the summits of impressive volcanoes, canyoning, kayaking, cycling, and more, the options are endless.
These exhilarating experiences fall under the category of adventure sports, and most standard travel insurance policies for the Philippines do not cover them. However, with the Adventure Sports coverage included in your IATI Backpacker policy, you can fully enjoy these activities and many others.
Moreover, this comprehensive coverage is accompanied by “Search and Rescue” coverage, also included in your policy. This coverage ensures that you can be rescued in extreme situations, with a coverage limit of up to 15,000 euros.
Now you can embrace the country to the fullest, knowing that even your most thrilling adventures will be covered and that you have the necessary support in case of any extreme situations.
No deductibles and you pay nothing out of pocket
Another crucial aspect to consider, often hidden in the fine print, is the presence of excess fees in many travel insurance policies for the Philippines. Do you know what this means? It means that, in the event of a claim, you would be required to pay a certain amount, known as deductibles, before the insurance coverage kicks in. For instance, if you have a deductible of 100 euros, you would have to pay the initial 100 euros for each assistance or claim you make.
To illustrate this, let’s say you have a motorcycle accident requiring multiple treatment and testing visits. With a policy that works with deductibles, you would have to cover the first 100 euros of those expenses out of your pocket.
However, with our travel insurance, there are no deductibles. When you acquire your IATI Backpacker policy, you can travel with peace of mind, knowing that your assistance and claims will be fully covered right from the start, without any out-of-pocket payments required.
No upfront payment for medical assistance
It is also essential to be cautious about certain private insurance policies that require you to pay for all the assistance you receive upfront, only to go through a lengthy and complicated process to get reimbursed. In the unfortunate event of a major incident, travelling with such insurance for the Philippines could result in you being burdened with thousands of euros in bills, potentially requiring you to finance your entire trip.
At IATI, we strive to make things much simpler for you. When you require medical assistance and reach out to us, we will promptly guide you to the nearest medical center that is best suited to handle your case. Upon arrival, the medical center will be prepared for your visit, and you won’t have to worry because we will take care of the cost of the consultation, any necessary tests, hospitalization, and even the recommended medication prescribed by the doctors.
If you are unable to contact us before seeking medical attention due to an emergency, there’s no need to panic. Simply send us the relevant medical bills and reports afterwards, and we will reimburse you as quickly as possible, thanks to your IATI Backpacker policy (click here if your country of residence is within the European Union; click here if your country of residence is not part of the European Union).
Luggage loss and theft included
Although it is a relatively safe country, you can be subject to theft or encounter issues with your luggage anywhere in the world, especially during your trip to the Philippines. IATI Backpacker is the best travel insurance for the Philippines because it provides extensive coverage beyond health. You will have excellent coverage for various situations, including:
- Displacement of a family member: Up to 600 euros.
- Convalescence in a hotel: Up to 840 euros.
- Theft and damage to luggage: Up to 1,500 euros.
- Delay in the departure of transportation: Up to 270 euros.
- Private civil liability: Up to 60,000 euros.
Rest assured that with IATI Backpacker, you will be protected against health-related incidents and other potential issues you may encounter during your trip.
Cancellation option – Cancelling your trip to the Philippines
When purchasing plane tickets, booking accommodations, and arranging excursions or services for your trip, it’s natural to have concerns about what would happen if you had to cancel. You might wonder, “If I need to cancel my trip to the Philippines, would I lose all the money I’ve invested?”
At IATI, we have been the leading provider of travel insurance for over 135 years, constantly evolving to meet your needs. As pioneers in the industry, we introduced the Travel Cancellation Supplement. With this option, if you need to cancel your trip for any of the specified reasons, we will reimburse you up to 2,000 euros for expenses that you cannot recover directly from your official suppliers.
This popular add-on, favoured by thousands of travellers, is just one click away when you purchase your international policy for the Philippines.
Philippines Travel Insurance Coverage
As you have just seen, IATI Backpacker is the most comprehensive travel insurance for the Philippines, designed to provide detailed coverage for all aspects of such an adventure.
In this table, you can visually see the figures for the main coverages we mentioned earlier. However, this policy includes many other coverages that you may find interesting, which you can easily review on the IATI Backpacker page (click here if your country of residence is within the European Union; click here if your country of residence is not part of the European Union).
| Travel Insurance for the Philippines | Medical Expenses Coverage (covid-19 included) | Theft and baggage damage | Repatriation | Cancellation fees (optional) | Adventure sports |
| IATI Backpacker | 500.000 € | 1.500 € | 100% | 2.000 € | 100% |
How much does travel insurance to the Philippines cost?
The excellent value for money confirms that this is the best international travel insurance for this destination.
As shown here, the cost represents a small portion of your Philippines travel budget, but it provides significant savings in case you require assistance during your visit.
IATI Backpacker for residents of the EU:
| International health insurance | Price for 1 week | Price for 2 weeks | Price for 3 weeks |
| IATI Backpacker | 50,56€ | 82,72€ | 103,84 € |
IATI Backpacker for non-residents of the EU:
| International health insurance | Price for 1 week | 2 weeks | 3 weeks |
| IATI Backpacker | 50,56 € | 82,72 € | 103,84 € |
How to hire the best travel insurance for the Philippines
Getting travel insurance for the Philippines through the intuitive menu of IATI is easy. Now that you know that IATI Backpacker is the policy you need, follow these simple steps:
In the menu, you must fill in the following fields:
- The origin of your trip
- The destination of your trip
- Start and end dates of your trip
- Number of travellers
- Type of insurance: travel insurance
After filling in the menu fields and clicking on “Ge a quote”, just choose your IATI Backpacker and click on “Contract”. This is when you can activate the Cancellation Supplement we mentioned earlier, which will cover you if you must cancel your trip for any of the reasons established in the conditions.
Fill in your data, make the payment and you will receive in your email the details of your contracted travel insurance and the way to contact us if you need any kind of assistance.
Isn’t it super easy to get your insurance to travel to the Philippines?
Useful information for safe travel to the Philippines
Best time to travel to the Philippines
The Philippines has diverse climate zones throughout the country. While July may bring rain to Siargao, it can be a favourable time to visit destinations like El Nido or Coron. When planning your trip and creating an itinerary, it is highly recommended to research the optimal time of year for each specific location you intend to visit.
Health in the Philippines
With the exception of major cities, it is not uncommon to find yourself in low-quality medical facilities if you are unaware of the proper options. Besides, the top-quality and recommended facilities can be expensive for foreigners.
This is why it is crucial to have a comprehensive international medical policy. IATI Backpacker is the best option for the Philippines, providing coverage not only for health-related matters but also for incidents such as theft, flight issues, luggage problems, and more. Don’t hesitate to get it now.
