You don’t need travel insurance if you’ve got PhilHealth, right? Wrong! Keen to know what else you might be mistaken about when it comes to Private Local Insurance, PhilHealth or Expat Insurance? Read on to discover the truths about travel insurance in the Philippines, it could save you a LOT of money!
By Daibo Taku, CC BY 3.0
1: “I Don’t Need Travel Insurance Because I Have PhilHealth or Local Insurance”
The number one misconception! The truth is PhilHealth, the government-run health insurance, only provides only basic coverage and is often insufficient for serious medical conditions or private hospital care.
And when it comes to private health insurance plans, you’ll find that there are a whole heap of limits and exclusions, plus you may have to make large out-of-pocket payments before getting a claim reimbursed.
2: “I’m Healthy, So I Won’t Need Medical Travel Insurance”
It doesn’t matter how healthy you are, you could still be involved in an accident. The stats from Metropolitan-Manila Development Authority (MMDA) alone are pretty alarming:
“There were at least 26,599 motorcycle accidents officially reported by the Road Safety Unit of the Metropolitan-Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in 2022. This number even increased by 17.3 percent in 2023. In simpler terms, there are at least 78 motorcycle accidents daily.”
“…car mishaps are 54 percent of the total road accidents in the Philippines in 2023. For the National Capitol Region alone, at least 86,000 vehicular accidents were reported by MMDA. In translation, there are 235 accidents daily in Metro Manila. In 2021, it was reported that at least 11,000 deaths resulted from such accidents – or 30 fatalities daily!”
Philstar.com
An even if you are fit as a fiddle, unexpected illnesses can happen at any time, so you really should consider that medical emergencies (such as heart attacks or dengue fever) can result in expensive hospital bills, and medical evacuation or repatriation to the UK can cost upwards of £50,000, which is rarely covered by local health plans.
3: “Travel Insurance and Expat Insurance Are the Same Thing”
No they are not. Travel insurance usually covers medical emergencies and travel-related issues (e.g., lost baggage, trip cancellations), as well as providing cover if agreed for pre-existing medical conditions and injuries related to certain sports and activities that you may do while away. It can also provide policy cover for side-trips to other countries.
Expat insurance on the other hand provides long-term health coverage, routine check-ups, and chronic condition management, making it more suitable for full-time residents.
4: “International Health Insurance Is Too Expensive”
While some insurance plans can be costly, there are ways to tailor a policy to be budget-friendly and still provide essential coverage. What you need to really consider is the financial risk of not having insurance – this will always far outweigh the cost of a policy, especially if a major health issue arises.
5: “I Can Just Fly Back to the UK for Treatment”
Not if you are severely ill or injured! Travel Insurance ensures that you can access the treatment you need when you need it, something that local health insurance plans and PhilHealth cannot offer either.
6: “I’ve Been Visiting Here for Years Without Insurance, So I Don’t Need It”
Similar to misconception number 2, just because nothing bad has happened while you’ve been in the Philippines doesn’t mean it won’t. Medical emergencies, accidents, or natural disasters can strike unexpectedly.
Where do these misconceptions come from?
- Lack of Awareness – Many expats are unaware of the differences between longstay travel insurance, local health insurance, and expat insurance.
- Overconfidence in Savings – Some people believe they can self-fund medical expenses, but a single major medical emergency can drain savings quickly.
- Perceived Low Cost of Healthcare – While general healthcare in the Philippines is cheaper than in the UK, high-quality private hospitals can still be very expensive.
Get the travel insurance you need for total peace of mind!
Give our team a call (+44) 01892 833338 or visit our website to get the information you need to make the right decision about travel insurance. We offer specialised insurance policies that can be tailored to your unique needs, even if you have pre existing medical conditions!
