Planning a trip to Israel? Travel insurance should be at the top of your packing list.
Whether you’re exploring Machane Yehuda shuk in Jerusalem, going to daven in Safed and Meron, or just visiting your kids in seminary / yeshiva.
Your regular American health insurance won’t work in Israel, and medical costs in Israel can get expensive quickly.
Who offers travel insurance for Israel trips?
The Atlas International Premium plan is a great travel insurance policy available from VisitorsCoverage.
It covers travelers of all ages up to 99 years old, making it a solid choice for anyone heading to Israel.
Do You Need Travel Insurance to Israel
No, Israel does not require proof of health insurance for tourists coming to visit Israel. Should you get a travel insurance policy? Yes, it is a smart thing to have if the unexpected happens.
If you are American, Medicare doesn’t cover you outside the U.S. And if you’re younger with private insurance, most policies provide little to no international coverage.
That’s where travel insurance comes in. Most of us don’t think about getting sick or injured on vacation. But accidents happen. You could slip on wet stones at the Kotel, or come down with food poisoning from bad shawarma.
Without travel insurance, you’re looking at paying cash for everything, and medical bills in Israel aren’t cheap. They know how to charge “Rich Americans” a premium price.
What Does the Policy Cover?
Think of Atlas International Premium as your safety net. After you pay your deductible (you can choose anywhere from $0 to $5,000), the plan covers 100% of your medical expenses up to your coverage limit.
Coverage limits depend on your age:
- Under 65: Choose from $50,000 up to $2,000,000
- Ages 65-79: $50,000 or $100,000
- Age 80+: Up to $20,000
A 76-year-old with $100,000 coverage and no deductible pays about $12 per day. That’s roughly $170 for a two-week trip—pretty reasonable for peace of mind.
What’s covered:
- Hospital stays (including intensive care)
- Emergency room and urgent care visits
- Doctor visits and prescriptions
- Emergency dental (up to $300)
- Local ambulance service
- Plus a $100 daily bonus for each day you’re hospitalized
You can visit any doctor or hospital in Israel—there’s no network to worry about. And when you’re treated in Israel, you won’t pay the co-payments you’d face back home.
Emergency Benefits
Here’s where travel insurance really proves its worth:
Emergency Medical Evacuation (up to $1,000,000): If you need specialized care that’s not available where you are, the insurance company will transport you to the nearest appropriate facility. This alone can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars without insurance.
Emergency Reunion (up to $150,000): If you’re hospitalized, the plan brings a family member to be with you and covers their travel, hotel, and meals for up to 15 days.
Political Evacuation (up to $150,000): Given the Middle East’s situation, this is particularly relevant for Israel. If the U.S. State Department issues a serious travel warning while you’re there, the plan will help get you out safely.
The Pre-Existing Conditions Question
This is where things get a bit complicated, but it’s important to understand.
Atlas Premium does cover what they call “acute onset” of pre-existing conditions, but only if you’re under 80 and meet specific requirements. “Acute onset” means a sudden, unexpected flare-up that happens quickly and needs immediate care.
What doesn’t count: chronic conditions that gradually worsen, or any situation where you’re traveling specifically to get treatment.
You must get treatment within 24 hours of the problem starting, and you can’t be traveling against your doctor’s advice. If you qualify, you’re covered up to your full policy maximum, plus up to $25,000 for emergency evacuation related to that condition.
If you’re 80 or older, pre-existing conditions aren’t covered at all, and this is a significant limitation to keep in mind.
Beyond Medical: Travel Protection
Atlas Premium also covers the annoying travel mishaps that can ruin a trip:
- Lost luggage: Up to $2,000 if the airline loses your bags
- Trip delays: Up to $200 per day (for 2 days) if you’re delayed more than 12 hours
- Trip interruption: Up to $15,000 if you need to cut your trip short
- Lost passport: Up to $100 to replace it
- Natural disaster displacement: Up to $500 per day (for 5 days) if disaster forces you from your hotel
Choosing the Israel Travel Insurance Plan
Pick your deductible: A $0 deductible means you pay nothing out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in. Higher deductibles lower your daily cost but mean more upfront expense if something happens.
Choose your coverage amount: Think about your trip length and health situation. While $50,000 sounds like a lot, a serious medical emergency requiring hospitalization and evacuation can easily exceed that.
Plan your duration: Coverage works for trips from a few days to a full year.
Is This Right for You?
Atlas International Premium makes sense if you:
- Want comprehensive coverage without network restrictions
- Are concerned about political instability in the region
- Need medical evacuation coverage (the most expensive part of any international medical emergency)
- Are under 80 with pre-existing conditions and want some protection
- Want coverage that extends beyond just medical emergencies
It might not be ideal if you’re 80+ with serious health conditions, since pre-existing condition coverage isn’t available.
The Bottom Line
At around $12 per day for a 76-year-old (less for younger travelers), Atlas Premium offers solid protection. Compare that to the cost of a medical emergency—or a medical evacuation that could run into six figures—and it’s a bargain.
Israel is an incredible destination with world-class medical facilities, but you don’t want to find out how expensive they are the hard way. Spending a little on travel insurance means you can focus on experiencing the history, culture, and beauty of Israel without worrying about what happens if things go wrong.
Before you book, review the coverage limits, understand the pre-existing condition rules, and make sure the plan fits your specific needs. Then pack your bags, grab your insurance card, and enjoy your trip with confidence.