Laos Travel Insurance
Everything you need to know before your trip
Healthcare Cost Level
Low
Avg. ER Visit
$50
Recommended Coverage
$250,000
Evacuation Risk
High
Healthcare in Laos
What to expect if you need medical care
Healthcare in Laos operates on a low-cost tier, with average emergency room visits around $50 and hospital stays approximately $150 per day. However, these low costs reflect the limited quality of care available. Medical facilities are basic, particularly outside the capital city of Vientiane, and English-speaking medical staff are scarce. For serious injuries or illnesses, you'll likely need evacuation to Thailand where quality healthcare is accessible. The mountainous terrain throughout much of Laos makes accessing even these limited facilities challenging. While you can receive basic treatment for minor ailments, anything requiring specialized care, surgery, or intensive monitoring will necessitate leaving the country entirely.
What Your Policy Should Cover
Country-specific considerations for Laos
Your policy must prioritize medical evacuation coverage, as this is the highest risk in Laos. Ensure it specifically includes helicopter evacuation from remote areas if you're planning trekking activities in mountainous regions. Given the high risk of traffic accidents year-round, verify your policy covers motorbike accidents—but only if you hold a valid motorcycle license, as this is a common exclusion. If you're participating in Mekong River activities like kayaking or boat tours, confirm you have water rescue and evacuation coverage. Disease coverage is essential for dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis, particularly if traveling during rainy season (May-October). If visiting rural areas, consider that unexploded ordnance remains a moderate risk throughout the country.
Dengue_fever
Moderate Risk
Peak: rainy season (May-October)
Malaria
Moderate Risk
Peak: year-round
Japanese_encephalitis
Moderate Risk
Peak: rainy season (May-October)
Traffic_accidents
High Risk
Peak: year-round
Unexploded_ordnance
Moderate Risk
Peak: year-round
Activity-Specific Coverage
Trekking: Ensure coverage includes helicopter evacuation from remote areas
Motorbike_rental: Verify coverage includes motorbike accidents with valid license
Mekong_river_activities: Water rescue and evacuation coverage recommended
How Much Coverage Do You Need?
Our recommendation based on Laos's healthcare costs
The recommended $250,000 coverage amount is driven primarily by evacuation needs rather than local healthcare costs. While a hospital day costs only $150 in Laos, medical evacuation to Thailand—often necessary for serious conditions—can cost tens of thousands of dollars, especially if helicopter transport from remote areas is required. The high evacuation risk level, combined with mountainous terrain that complicates rescue operations, means you need substantial coverage. The minimum $100,000 might cover basic evacuation, but $250,000 provides a safety margin for complex rescues, extended treatment in Thailand, and potential complications.
Minimum
$100,000
Basic emergencies only
Recommended
$250,000
Full protection
Making a Claim in Laos
Tips for smooth claims processing
Documentation Required: Hospital receipts, medical reports (may need translation), proof of payment, police reports for accidents
- Keep all hospital receipts and medical reports, as you'll need these for claims. Medical documentation in Laos may be in Lao language, so budget for professional translation services when filing claims.
- For any traffic accidents, obtain a police report immediately—this is essential documentation for insurance claims and can be difficult to secure after the fact.
- Claims difficulty is rated as moderate, so photograph all documentation and keep digital copies as backup, since original documents may be required and mail service from Laos can be unreliable.
- Maintain proof of payment for all medical services. Many facilities operate on cash-only basis, so ATM withdrawal receipts combined with hospital invoices help establish your expenses.
- If evacuation to Thailand becomes necessary, ensure the receiving hospital provides detailed reports documenting why local Laos facilities were inadequate, as insurers may question cross-border treatment.
Get Covered for Laos
Adventure destinations like Laos require solid evacuation coverage. Don't leave without it.
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