Why USA travel insurance from Israel costs double
Every Israeli insurer prices USA travel insurance at roughly twice the rate of a Europe policy. This isn't a markup — it reflects US healthcare reality.
American hospitals charge without a national price cap. A broken leg requiring surgery: $30,000–$80,000. An ambulance ride: $1,000–$3,000. A few days in ICU: $100,000+. Israeli insurers cover these bills — but price the risk accordingly.
Europe vs. USA — approximate daily premium (healthy adult, age 30–60)
| Insurer | Europe (per day) | USA (per day) | Uplift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | ~₪4.2 | ~₪8.5 | +100% |
| Harel | ~₪4.8 | ~₪9.8 | +104% |
| Migdal | ~₪4.5 | ~₪9.2 | +104% |
| Menora | ~₪4.3 | ~₪8.7 | +102% |
| PassportCard | ~₪5.9 | ~₪11.4 | +93% |
Indicative daily rates, standard plan. Green = lowest in each row. Use the comparison tool for exact pricing by age and dates.
What matters most in USA travel insurance
All five Israeli insurers cover USA trips. Here's what separates them:
- Medical cover limit — minimum $1 million; Phoenix provides unlimited medical cover for USA trips
- Emergency evacuation — if you need to be flown home for treatment, this covers the flight (costs can exceed $50,000)
- Dental emergency — limits range from $400 (Harel) to $1,500 (Migdal)
- 24/7 English emergency line — all five insurers have English-language emergency support
- Direct payment vs. reimbursement — four insurers reimburse after the fact; PassportCard pays hospitals directly
- Pre-existing conditions rider — never automatic; always declare and add the rider if you have a chronic condition
| Feature | Phoenix | Harel | Migdal | Menora | PassportCard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical cover (USA) | Unlimited | $5M | $5M | $5M | $5M |
| Emergency evacuation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dental emergency | $1,000 | $400 | $1,500 | $550 | $550 |
| No deductible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Direct hospital payment | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Over 65 and flying to the USA?
Older travellers face the highest US medical risk — and Israeli insurers reflect this in both pricing and coverage limits. The older the traveller, the shorter the maximum covered trip.
| Insurer | Age 61–70 | Age 71–75 | Age 76–80 | Age 81–85 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 120 days | 120 days | 60 days | 30 days |
| Harel | 120 days | 120 days | 60 days | 30 days |
| Migdal | 120 days | 120 days | 60 days | 30 days |
| Menora | 120 days | 45 days | — | — |
| PassportCard | 180 days | 60 days | 60 days | — |
Maximum trip duration by age group. — = not available for USA at this age. Always verify directly with the insurer before purchase.