Do I really need travel insurance?

Imagine waking up in a foreign city with an unexpected fever…you realize your travel insurance has lapsed. Panic sets in, but it doesn’t have to.

By Aurora Jade Till

We’ve all asked ourselves before a trip: “Do I really need travel insurance?”

The short answer is yes.

For expats in Budapest, or anywhere abroad, having international health insurance isn’t just smart. It’s essential.

When I first moved abroad, I purchased insurance for the year and felt secure. I only visited the doctor once for a minor cold, and everything seemed fine. After months of good health, I started questioning: Do I really need to renew it? There’s public healthcare here. Nothing serious is likely to happen.

That mindset almost cost me.

I postponed renewing my coverage. Then one day, I found myself uninsured in a private hospital emergency room. The medical care was excellent. The bills were not. What followed were months of specialist consultations, each adding to the total.

I’m sharing this not to scare you, but to offer a reality check, and to take a moment to explain the things I wish I had known about international insurance: how to navigate it, what to look for, and the steps every expat should take before it’s too late.

Sitting Down with FirstMed Experts

To gain professional insight, I sat down with Mason, Insurance Coordinator at FirstMed, and Martha, Administrative Assistant. Their daily work with patients and international insurance providers offers practical knowledge that every expat should understand.

Mason, Insurance Coordinator

“I recommend checking the deductible amount, this is what you pay before your insurance covers any costs. Also, know whether your plan is ‘pay and claim’ or if you can obtain a Guarantee of Payment (GOP). This ensures you know if you need to pay upfront or if the insurance will pay the clinic directly.”

Mason works closely with insurance companies and patients navigating complex coverage structures. His advice consistently prevents unexpected bills and delays in care.

He also emphasized something many expats overlook: medical evacuation (medivac) coverage.

If you experience a serious accident or medical emergency, your policy may need to cover transport to another country for appropriate treatment. Even if you recover medically, evacuation costs alone can be financially overwhelming without proper coverage. Not all plans include this, and not all include it at the same level.

EHIC Is Not a Replacement for Travel Insurance

Mason also pointed out a common misconception among European residents: the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not a replacement for travel or international insurance. While the EHIC allows access to public healthcare within EU countries under local conditions, it does not cover private clinics, medical evacuation, or repatriation. Many expats assume it will be accepted everywhere, especially in private facilities, but that is often not the case.

Another important factor? How widely your insurance is accepted.

FirstMed accepts over 130 international insurance providers, but not every clinic does. Before choosing a plan, check how broadly it is recognized. A cheaper premium means little if your insurance isn’t accepted where you need care.

Martha, Administrative Assistant

“Most insurance plans have online portals, but many patients never check them. Through these portals, you can see if a claim was denied and why. For example, you can log in to your provider’s portal to check the reason for a declined claim.”