Travel Insurance for Bali and Indonesia: Is It Required, and What Must It Cover?
Short answer
No, travel insurance is not required to enter Indonesia or Bali as of November 2026 — a proposal to make it mandatory for foreign tourists is being discussed but has not become law. You should still have it: private hospitals ask for payment or a deposit before treatment, and a medical evacuation can cost more than US$100,000.
- Required for entry or VOA
- No (Nov 2026)
- Medical evacuation can cost
- over US$100,000
- Motorbike cover needs
- a licence valid for the bike
Is travel insurance mandatory for Indonesia?
Not today. Immigration does not ask for a policy for visa exemption, the visa on arrival or the e-VOA, and Bali’s tourist levy has no insurance condition. The Australian and US governments both list no legal requirement.
There is a live proposal. In January 2026 Indonesia’s insurance industry proposed compulsory travel insurance for foreign tourists, and the financial regulator OJK said it supports the idea in principle but needs cross-agency study. Bali has separately floated checks on visitors’ finances. Neither has been enacted. If a rule is introduced, it will be announced by the immigration directorate or the Bali government and this page will change.
Why you want it anyway
- Hospitals expect payment first. The US State Department notes that hospitals may require payment or a deposit before treatment, even in an emergency.
- Evacuation is expensive. Serious cases outside Bali and Jakarta often mean a transfer to Bali, Jakarta, Singapore or home. The State Department puts medical evacuation at more than US$100,000; the UK Foreign Office says “tens of thousands of pounds”.
- Embassies will not pay. The UK and Australia both state that they do not cover medical or evacuation costs for their citizens.
The five clauses to check before you buy
| Check | Why it matters in Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Medical evacuation and repatriation, with a high limit | The expensive part of almost every serious claim here |
| Motorbike riding — engine size and licence wording | Many policies only pay if you hold a licence valid in Indonesia for that bike class, wore a helmet and were not drinking |
| Activities | Diving (and the depth limit), surfing, volcano treks like Rinjani or Ijen, and canyoning are often add-ons |
| Direct billing or pay-and-claim | With pay-and-claim you need a card limit large enough for the deposit |
| 24-hour assistance line | You want someone who can tell the hospital you are covered, at 2am |
The motorbike problem
Scooter accidents are where cover most often falls apart in Bali. Indonesian law, and therefore most insurers, treat your home car licence as not enough. You need a motorbike licence and an International Driving Permit that includes motorcycles (or an Indonesian licence). The UK Foreign Office says moped and motorbike accidents in Bali have risen sharply. Before you rent one, read the Bali scooter rental guide and your policy’s exact wording on licences.
Health risks your policy should handle
Dengue is common across Indonesia, including Bali, and rabies is present throughout the country — any bite or scratch from a dog, cat or monkey needs urgent care, and treatment can mean travelling to a bigger hospital. Methanol poisoning from contaminated or counterfeit spirits occurs, including at licensed bars. These are all situations where a quick call to your insurer’s assistance line decides which hospital you go to.
Save the policy number and the assistance number in your phone and on paper, next to the Indonesian emergency numbers.
Questions travellers ask
Is travel insurance mandatory for Bali?
No, not as of November 2026. A proposal to require it for foreign tourists is under discussion but has not become law. Immigration does not ask for a policy.
Which travel insurance is best for Indonesia?
The one whose wording covers what you will actually do: high medical and evacuation limits, motorbike riding with your licence class, and activities such as diving or volcano treks. Compare the exclusions, not the headline price.
Does travel insurance cover scooter accidents in Bali?
Only if your policy includes motorbikes and you hold a licence valid in Indonesia for that bike — usually a home motorcycle licence plus an International Driving Permit with category A — and wore a helmet.
Sources
- Australian Smartraveller — Indonesia — no legal requirement; licence rules for motorbikes
- US Department of State — Indonesia country information — evacuation costs, payment before treatment
- UK FCDO — Indonesia health — updated 30 Oct 2026
- UK FCDO — Indonesia safety and security — motorbike accidents in Bali
- Investortrust — OJK on the mandatory travel insurance proposal — January 2026