ADAC International Health Insurance: Optimise comprehensive protection for your travels
2 May 2025
12
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A medical emergency abroad can quickly become expensive and disrupt travel plans. ADAC's foreign health insurance offers protection against high costs. Find out how to choose the right plan for your needs.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The ADAC international health insurance provides worldwide coverage for trips up to 63 days, including medical repatriation and no deductible in many tariffs.
For extended stays abroad of over 63 days, ADAC offers special long-term rates with a duration of up to 24 months.
In the event of a claim, immediate contact with the ADAC Ambulance Service is crucial for a smooth process and cost coverage.
Understanding the necessity of international health insurance
A sudden illness or accident abroad can quickly lead to a financial burden of several thousand euros. Statutory health insurance often provides insufficient coverage for medical expenses abroad, especially in countries outside the European Union. Without private foreign health insurance, travellers bear the full cost risk. The ADAC foreign health insurance steps in and covers the necessary medical treatment costs. This gives you the peace of mind that in an emergency you will receive the best possible medical care without having to worry about financing. A medical repatriation, which can quickly amount to five- or six-figure sums, is usually not covered by statutory insurers.
Scope of services of ADAC international health insurance in detail
The ADAC overseas health insurance provides comprehensive benefits for your safety during worldwide travel. Insurance coverage is in place for the first 63 days of each trip without any deductible. Core benefits include coverage for outpatient and inpatient medical treatments, as well as doctor-prescribed medications and aids. Particularly important is the medically advisable repatriation to Germany, which can often incur high costs. Many policies also cover pain-relieving dental treatments and repairs for dental prosthetics. ADAC tariffs cater to all types of travel, from holidays to business trips, and offer protection for individuals and families. For longer stays exceeding 63 days, ADAC offers special long-term tariffs that ensure coverage for up to 24 months.
Quick Facts: The key benefits at a glance
The ADAC international health insurance offers a range of advantages that provide travellers with peace of mind. Here are the key points summarised:
Worldwide coverage for trips up to 63 days per journey.
No excess in the event of a claim for most tariffs.
Coverage of costs for medically necessary treatments, even as a private patient.
Organisation and coverage for medically sensible repatriation.
Protection for individuals and families, including children up to their 23rd birthday.
Different tariffs (Basic, Exclusive, Premium) to suit individual needs.
Coverage also applies to the additional costs in case of worsening of existing chronic conditions.
The ADAC Ambulance Service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
These core points illustrate how ADAC's travel health insurance minimises financial risks. Next, we consider concrete practical examples and costs.
Practical examples: How ADAC's international health insurance specifically helps
Imagine you suffer a complicated leg fracture during your hiking holiday in Austria. The rescue costs alone can quickly amount to several hundred euros. The subsequent surgery and hospital stay can easily add up to over ten thousand euros. Without ADAC’s international health insurance, you may have to bear these costs yourself. Another example: A gastrointestinal infection during a long-haul trip in Asia requires a hospital stay of several days with treatment costs of over two thousand five hundred euros. The ADAC international health insurance covers these costs and arranges the return transport if necessary. Even a dental bill of three hundred euros for emergency treatment in the USA is covered. These examples show how quickly unexpected costs can arise and the value of good insurance coverage. The cost of international health insurance is comparatively low. Rates start at under twenty euros per year for individuals.
Tariff options and costs of the ADAC international health insurance
ADAC offers various tariff options to meet the individual needs of travellers. Costs vary depending on age, chosen tariff (Basic, Exclusive, Premium), and whether a single or family contract is taken out. A single contract in the Basic tariff for persons under 66 years old is available from around twenty euros annually. Family contracts provide cost-effective protection for all family members, often including children up to the age of 23. The Exclusive and Premium tariffs offer additional benefits such as hospital daily allowance or international patient legal protection. It is important to take out insurance coverage before starting your trip. For longer stays abroad, such as a semester abroad or a world trip of more than 63 days, there is the ADAC Long-Term Overseas Health Insurance, which can be taken out for up to 24 months. The exact annual travel health insurance costs can be easily calculated online. Comparing the benefits and costs helps to find the optimal protection.
Expert Depth: Legal aspects and key clauses
When concluding a foreign health insurance policy, including the ADAC foreign health insurance, several legal aspects and clauses need to be considered. The terms and conditions of the respective tariff are always decisive. Pay attention to the scope: most ADAC tariffs apply worldwide, but it is important to check this in advance, especially when traveling to crisis areas. The maximum duration per trip (usually 63 days for standard tariffs) is another point. For longer trips, a special long-term tariff is necessary. Our expert tip: Clarify in advance whether pre-existing conditions affect the insurance coverage. ADAC insurance covers acute and unexpected worsening of chronic illnesses, but planned treatments are excluded. Medically sensible repatriation is a core component, although the definition can vary; at ADAC, this is usually handled generously. Also check regulations on search, rescue, and recovery costs, which are often covered up to a certain amount. The question of whether your health insurance is valid abroad is comprehensively answered by foreign health insurance.
Behaviour in the Event of Damage: Step-by-Step Guide
Should a medical emergency occur abroad, it is crucial to act quickly and correctly to make optimal use of the ADAC foreign travel health insurance benefits. Here is a brief guide:
Contact the ADAC Ambulance Service immediately at the emergency number +49 89 76 76 76, which is available 24 hours a day.
Describe the situation in detail and have your insurance number ready.
Follow the ADAC staff's instructions regarding the choice of doctor or hospital.
Collect all receipts, invoices, and medical reports in their original form; these are needed for reimbursement.
In cases of hospitalisations, the hospital should, if possible, bill the ADAC directly.
After you return, promptly submit all documents online or by post.
Early contact with the ADAC often ensures direct cost coverage and avoids advance payments. This significantly facilitates processing. Also, find out whether you can deduct foreign travel health insurance from taxes.
Covering long-term stays and specific needs
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More useful links
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of international health insurance.
The Federal Ministry of Health provides information about health insurance abroad.
Stiftung Warentest offers a large comparison of international health insurances.
FAQ
Do I need an additional overseas health insurance from ADAC despite having German health insurance?
Yes, it is highly recommended. Statutory health insurance often only covers part of the costs abroad and does not include medical repatriation. The ADAC foreign health insurance fills this gap.
Does the ADAC international health insurance apply worldwide?
Yes, the ADAC international health insurance generally provides worldwide coverage. However, it is advisable to check the specific terms of your policy.
What happens if my trip lasts longer than 63 days?
For trips lasting more than 63 days, you need the ADAC Long-Term Travel Health Insurance, which can be taken out for stays of up to 24 months.
Are pre-existing conditions covered by the ADAC international health insurance?
The ADAC international health insurance provides coverage for acute and unexpected exacerbations of pre-existing chronic conditions abroad. However, planned treatments are not covered.
How do I report a claim with ADAC international health insurance?
In case of emergency, contact the ADAC Ambulance Service immediately. Collect all receipts and submit them after your trip for reimbursement.
Can I take out the ADAC foreign health insurance just before starting my trip?
Yes, obtaining it is often possible online at short notice, but it must be done before crossing the border.
