Travel Insurance for Turkey: U.S. Visitor Quotes & Requirements

Turkey travel information & requirements

Do I need travel insurance to visit Turkey?

Travel insurance isn’t required for visiting Turkey, but it’s always a good idea. 

Although most tourists have a safe and pleasant visit, Turkey presents a few common risks. If your trip is affected by something unexpected, insurance can help you recoup lost costs, pay for medical care and find medical transport in case of an emergency. If you fall and break a leg while climbing stairs in Istanbul, for example, your policy can help cover the hospital bills.

Risk of earthquakes and natural disasters

Turkey sits at the intersection of multiple tectonic plates, which means it sees a great deal of seismic activity. In fact, it’s one of the most active earthquake zones in the world; every part of the country is at risk.

Some areas of Turkey are also prone to other types of natural disasters, including wildfires and floods. These issues can be serious, rendering entire regions impassible and disrupting travel. A travel insurance policy can protect you if your trip is canceled or delayed due to earthquakes and other catastrophes.

Risk of terrorism and political demonstrations

Turkey is home to multiple terror groups, which means there’s always a risk of an attack. The tense political climate in Turkey can also pose a danger to travelers, especially when there are protests and demonstrations; the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has heightened this risk. Look for a travel insurance policy that can help minimize financial losses if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to a terrorist attack or political instability. 

Water-related activities 

Water activities are popular in the beautiful coastal regions of Turkey. If you’re planning to take a boat trip or go snorkeling and scuba diving, travel insurance is a must. It can pay your medical bills if you get into a boating accident or experience decompression sickness while diving. Since healthcare facilities in smaller Turkish towns aren’t always well-equipped, insurance can also cover costs for transportation to a larger city.

Adventure activities

Some parts of Turkey are known for adventurous activities. Before you hop in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, you should have a travel insurance policy to cover unexpected accidents that might happen. This is especially important if you’re exploring remote areas in Turkey that could require a long plane or ambulance ride after an injury.

What does travel insurance for Turkey cover?

As you’re considering different types of travel insurance for Turkey, it’s important to read the terms carefully. Every policy comes with specific coverage options — you should understand exactly what a plan includes before you buy.

Trip cancellation insurance

A policy with trip cancellation coverage will pay back your nonrefundable costs if you have to call off the trip before departure. If you come down with COVID-19 a week before your flight to Turkey and can’t travel, for example, the policy will reimburse what you’ve already paid. Pay attention to restrictions; many plans require you to cancel 2 days or more before the scheduled departure date to qualify.

Trip delay insurance

This type of coverage reimburses the extra expenses you incur as a result of a delay. If your flight to Istanbul is pushed back by 12 hours and you have to stay overnight, your insurance will likely cover the cost of a hotel and meals. Trip delay insurance is particularly important for travel to Turkey, as many flights from the United States require a connection.

Trip interruption insurance

If an unexpected situation forces you to return home early from Turkey, trip interruption insurance covers the costs for the unused portion of the trip. This could happen if you’re injured while hiking the Lycian Way and can’t continue traveling, or if a family member passes away at home mid-vacation. Some plans will even pay you back for an earlier flight home, which could save you thousands of dollars.

Travel medical insurance

Pay close attention to the medical coverage in your travel insurance policy; it determines how much the provider will pay for emergency healthcare during your trip. Most plans cover injuries, accidents and sudden illnesses. If you try street food in Istanbul and get severe food poisoning, the policy will cover your hospital stay. Some providers even offer translation services, which is helpful if the hospital personnel only speak Turkish.

Medical evacuation insurance

Medical evacuation coverage pays for your transportation during a health emergency. If you’re in a hot air balloon accident in Cappadocia, this might include a helicopter transfer to a well-equipped hospital in Ankara or Istanbul. And if doctors recommend you receive ongoing treatment in the United States, the policy can schedule and pay for a medical flight back home — an extremely expensive trip, given the distance from Turkey.

Insurance for personal items

This coverage can reimburse you if your luggage and belongings are damaged, lost or stolen during your visit to Turkey. Make sure to check limits and restrictions, especially if you’re bringing an expensive camera to capture the pools at Pamukkale or designer clothing for a night out in Istanbul.

Rental car coverage

This type of insurance pays for damage to your rental car — it’s a must if you’re planning a self-driving tour around Turkey. Road conditions can be rough in smaller towns and remote areas, and safety standards on the road may increase your chance of an accident.

What isn’t covered by travel insurance for Turkey?

Every travel insurance provider has a list of situations that aren’t covered by the plan. 

Some common Turkey travel insurance exclusions are:

• Extreme sports
• Last-minute cancellations
• Pre-existing conditions, although you may be able to get a waiver to cover pre-existing conditions
• Routine or nonemergency medical care
• Excessive drug or alcohol use
• Suicide attempts

How much does travel insurance for Turkey cost?

Travel insurance for Turkey can cost as low as around $1 per day for the most basic medical and medical evacuation coverage.

For a more comprehensive policy that includes trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, we found that you can expect to pay around $7 to $11 per day.

See Plans

We gathered multiple quotes from a variety of providers to give you an idea of possible prices for travel insurance. 

Each of the plans below uses these details:

• Age: 35 years old
• Destination: Turkey
• Trip Length: 7 days
• Trip cost: $2,000

You can see four quotes for basic travel insurance in this first table. The cheapest travel insurance plan costs less than $1 per day.

Example Where Plan Doesn’t Reimburse the Full Trip Cost

This next table shows our price quotes for more comprehensive policies that include trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage. These plans range from around $7 to $11 per day.

Example Where Plan Does Reimburse the Full Trip Cost

Bear in mind that travel insurance premiums can vary widely from person to person based on several factors, such as:

• Age
• State of residence
• Date of purchase
• Trip cost and length
• Trip location
• Planned activities

Tips for getting the best Turkey travel insurance

With so many options, it can feel overwhelming to choose the right travel insurance for Turkey. 

Use these tips to find the right coverage for your trip: