Do Israeli residents even need travel insurance?
Yes — and this is the single most common mistake new olim make. Your Kupat Holim and the Israeli health basket stop at the border. The moment you land abroad, you're on your own unless you bought a policy.
Coming from the US, UK, South Africa or Australia, you may be used to your home health plan or credit card covering you overseas. In Israel it works differently: travel insurance is a separate, per-trip product, and it's cheap — often a few shekels a day. Skipping it is the expensive choice.
What it actually costs — all five insurers
Starting prices per traveler, per day, for a healthy adult on a standard plan. Use these to sanity-check a quote, then buy direct from the insurer.
| Destination | Phoenix | Harel | Migdal | Menora | PassportCard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | ₪4.2 | ₪4.8 | ₪4.5 | ₪4.3 | ₪5.9 |
| Asia | ₪5.1 | ₪5.6 | ₪5.3 | ₪5.0 | ₪7.1 |
| Latin America | ₪5.8 | ₪6.4 | ₪6.1 | ₪5.9 | ₪7.8 |
| USA & Canada | ₪8.1 | ₪9.2 | ₪8.7 | ₪8.4 | ₪11.2 |
| Worldwide | ₪9.5 | ₪10.8 | ₪10.1 | ₪9.8 | ₪13.2 |
Shekels per traveler per day, indicative. The green figure is the lowest in each row.
What's covered — and the gaps to watch
The core coverage looks similar everywhere, but the details differ in ways that matter at claim time.
| Coverage | Phoenix | Harel | Migdal | Menora | PassportCard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical cover | Unlimited | $5M | $5M | $5M | $5M |
| Dental emergency | $1,000 | $400 | $1,500 | $550 | $550 |
| Trip cancellation | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 |
| Luggage | Add-on | Add-on | Incl. Platinum | Add-on | Add-on |
| No excess / deductible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Direct hospital payment | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Search & rescue | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Common exclusions
- Extreme sports — skiing, diving, bungee usually need a paid add-on
- Pre-existing conditions — never automatic; require a rider
- Pregnancy — typically covered to week 32, as an add-on
- Alcohol or drug-related incidents — excluded across the board
PassportCard vs. everyone else
PassportCard is the one English speakers ask about most, because it solves the scariest part of getting sick abroad: paying. Instead of fronting thousands and chasing reimbursement, you're issued a card loaded with funds at the point of care. It's the only Israeli insurer with true direct hospital payment, and its 24/7 support runs in English.
The catch is price — it's consistently the most expensive of the five. If zero paperwork and peace of mind matter most, it's worth it. If you want the lowest price and don't mind filing a claim, Phoenix or Menora win.
Prefer PassportCard? We'll call you back — in your language.
Tell us where you're going and when, and a licensed agent calls you back to set up PassportCard's direct-payment cover. No Hebrew forms, no obligation, same price as direct.
- Direct payment at the hospital
- 24/7 support in English & Russian
- Long trips & senior travel
Traveling to the USA: why it costs double
You'll notice USA prices roughly double a Europe policy. That's not a markup — American medical costs are the highest in the world. A single ER visit can run $10,000–$50,000, and a few days in hospital can pass $100,000.
For families flying to visit relatives in New York, New Jersey or Florida — a classic Anglo-Israeli trip — this is non-negotiable. Insure every US trip, and compare carefully, because shekel differences compound fast over a two-week stay with kids.
Pre-existing conditions & travelers over 65
All five insurers cover pre-existing (chronic) conditions — diabetes, heart conditions, controlled blood pressure — through a rider. You declare the condition, answer a short health questionnaire, and pay a supplement based on the condition, your age, and destination.
The priciest combination is a chronic condition + a USA trip + age 65 or over. This is exactly where a licensed agent earns their keep: each company has different rules and cut-off ages, and getting it wrong can void a claim. If this is you, talk to a person before you buy.
How to claim (the part nobody reads until it's too late)
- Keep everything — receipts, medical reports, prescriptions, hospital paperwork
- Call the insurer's 24/7 line before or during treatment; most have English support
- With PassportCard, contact them first so they can load the card for direct payment
- Submit promptly on return — most policies have a 60–180 day claim window
If a claim is underpaid or denied, a licensed agent can push back on your behalf — one more reason to buy through one rather than direct.