Vanuatu Travel Insurance
Everything you need to know before your trip
Healthcare Cost Level
High
Avg. ER Visit
$300
Recommended Coverage
$250,000
Evacuation Risk
High
Healthcare in Vanuatu
What to expect if you need medical care
Vanuatu's healthcare system has significant limitations that travelers need to understand. While English availability is good among medical staff, the quality of facilities is limited compared to what you might expect at home. An emergency room visit will cost you around $300, and if you need hospitalization, expect to pay approximately $800 per day. For serious medical conditions, the local facilities simply cannot provide adequate care, meaning you'll likely need evacuation to Australia for proper treatment. This combination of limited local capabilities and the remote Pacific location creates a challenging healthcare environment where being prepared with insurance becomes essential rather than optional.
What Your Policy Should Cover
Country-specific considerations for Vanuatu
Your policy for Vanuatu needs to address several specific risks unique to this destination. First, ensure you have robust emergency evacuation coverage, as you'll likely need transport to Australia for serious conditions. Given the high risk of tropical cyclones from November to April, verify your policy covers trip interruptions and emergency evacuations during severe weather. Year-round risks include dengue fever, malaria, and volcanic activity, so comprehensive medical coverage is essential. If you're planning water sports, confirm your policy covers marine injuries and rescues. Volcano tours are particularly important to review, as some insurers exclude activities in active volcanic zones. Remote island hopping requires special attention to evacuation coverage, as getting emergency help from outer islands can be extremely costly and complex.
Tropical Cyclones
High Risk
Peak: November to April
Dengue Fever
Moderate Risk
Peak: year-round
Malaria
Moderate Risk
Peak: year-round
Volcanic Activity
Moderate Risk
Peak: year-round
Marine Hazards
Moderate Risk
Peak: year-round
Activity-Specific Coverage
Volcano Tours: May be excluded due to active volcanic zones
Water Sports: Coverage for marine injuries and rescues important
Remote Island Hopping: Emergency evacuation coverage critical
How Much Coverage Do You Need?
Our recommendation based on Vanuatu's healthcare costs
The recommended $250,000 coverage amount reflects Vanuatu's challenging medical reality. While daily healthcare costs might seem moderate at $800 per hospital day and $300 for emergency visits, the real expense comes from evacuation. Your remote Pacific location means medical evacuations to Australia are often necessary for serious conditions, and these can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars. The $100,000 minimum provides basic protection, but $250,000 gives you adequate coverage for extended hospitalization combined with emergency evacuation costs, ensuring you're protected in worst-case scenarios.
Minimum
$100,000
Basic emergencies only
Recommended
$250,000
Full protection
Making a Claim in Vanuatu
Tips for smooth claims processing
Documentation Required: Medical reports, receipts, proof of evacuation necessity, embassy assistance documentation if applicable
- Keep all medical reports and receipts in English, as documentation quality is critical for claims from remote locations like Vanuatu
- If evacuation becomes necessary, obtain written proof from local doctors explaining why evacuation was medically required, as insurers will scrutinize these expensive claims
- Save embassy assistance documentation if you need consular help arranging medical care or evacuation, as this supports your claim
- Document any cyclone warnings or volcanic activity alerts if these events affect your trip, using official meteorological or geological service reports
- For remote island activities, photograph or document your exact location and available medical facilities, as this helps justify evacuation necessity claims
Get Covered for Vanuatu
Adventure destinations like Vanuatu require solid evacuation coverage. Don't leave without it.
Get a Quote from World NomadsCoverage for 200+ countries • 24/7 emergency assistance • We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.