While Cambodia is not a very dangerous place, its roads are. And while basic medical care is quite inexpensive, there are many procedures that no one who cares about his health should have done here, and medical evacuation is very, very expensive. If you’re not insured for it, expect to spend upwards of $20,000 if you need to be airlifted to Singapore–and your transporters will expect to be paid up front.
Many expats get by using only travel insurance. For those who are in Cambodia for a short period of time and who have a national health-care system at home, this is a reasonable choice. Travel insurance is much cheaper than expat health insurance, but it will usually only cover enough care to stabilize you. For example, if you’re in a serious car accident, travel insurance will cover your acute-care hospital bills but won’t cover the months of rehabilitation you’ll need. They will, however, send you home, so for those who have some kind of coverage in their home country, travel insurance can be a good option. If you’re trying to decide on a plan, we have tips on what to look for in a good travel insurance policy.
The most flexible travel insurance policy available is provided by World Nomads. They offer excellent options for those who claim Cambodia as their country of residence (as well as for those residing outside the country and just visiting). You can what it would check cost to get insured via World Nomads using the widget below.
Health insurance and travel insurance
Health insurance is a topic that some expats try to ignore. Many who abhor the idea of the “nanny state” end up in Cambodia and, sticking to their guns, choose not to purchase insurance. It’s only when they end up in the hospital after getting into a moto accident that they learn the folly of their ways.
While Cambodia is not a very dangerous place, its roads are. And while basic medical care is quite inexpensive, there are many procedures that no one who cares about his health should have done here, and medical evacuation is very, very expensive. If you’re not insured for it, expect to spend upwards of $20,000 if you need to be airlifted to Singapore–and your transporters will expect to be paid up front.
Many expats get by using only travel insurance. For those who are in Cambodia for a short period of time and who have a national health-care system at home, this is a reasonable choice. Travel insurance is much cheaper than expat health insurance, but it will usually only cover enough care to stabilize you. For example, if you’re in a serious car accident, travel insurance will cover your acute-care hospital bills but won’t cover the months of rehabilitation you’ll need. They will, however, send you home, so for those who have some kind of coverage in their home country, travel insurance can be a good option. If you’re trying to decide on a plan, we have tips on what to look for in a good travel insurance policy.
The most flexible travel insurance policy available is provided by World Nomads. They offer excellent options for those who claim Cambodia as their country of residence (as well as for those residing outside the country and just visiting). You can what it would check cost to get insured via World Nomads using the widget below.
If you’re moving to Cambodia long term, another option is to get real health insurance. Two popular plans are Aetna Global Benefits and April International.
When you’re deciding whether or not you need to get a comprehensive plan, remember that it’s quite easy to get admitted to the hospital in Cambodia — being willing to pay the bill is enough to get you hospitalized for minor procedures.
Aetna Global Benefits, based in the United States, offers worldwide comprehensive plans that, while expensive, get consistently high ratings. They’ll cover you in your home country, including the United States. They have options that are for hospital care only, or comprehensive plans that cover outpatient care as well.
April International, a French company, offers an insurance policy specifically designed for expats of all nationalities living in Southeast Asia. They have a basic option that covers emergency care and hospitalization, and a comprehensive plan that includes hospital, maternity, and routine health care and dental as well. For an additional $292 per year, they will also cover medical evacuation and repatriation. They do not cover any care in the United States, Japan, and Switzerland, so if you are from one of these countries, consider getting a supplemental World Nomads travel insurance policy when you vacation in your home country.
French insurance agent broker David Treal of AG Cambodia is popular with expats because he advocates for his customers with insurance companies to help make the claims process as painless as possible (we have first-hand experience of this). He’s based in Phnom Penh but works with customers all over Cambodia (in English and French) and can help you pick the most appropriate expat policy for your specific situation.
AG Cambodia
313 Sisowath Quay, Hotel Cambodiana, office no 3, Phnom Penh
T:023 998 018
agcambodia.com
313 Sisowath Quay, Hotel Cambodiana, office no 3, Phnom Penh
T:023 998 018
agcambodia.com
April International
april-international.com
april-international.com
Aetna International
aetnainternational.com
aetnainternational.com
We use World Nomads ourselves when we travel, and have for years. We think they are reliable, trustworthy, and transparent. If you purchase a World Nomads policy through Move to Cambodia, we may receive an affiliate commission. If you are considering purchasing a World Nomads policy, we hope you will support this site and get one through our links.