I always get travel health insurance, even if I don’t insure the rest of my trip. You can find cheaper plans that just cover health issues for around $30 USD, depending on your age. To me, the biggest risk is unexpected medical bills, and that’s what I prioritize covering.
I had to cancel a domestic trip once due to an ear infection, and my travel insurance helped me out. Even though your trip to Japan is international, unexpected things can still happen that could cause cancellations or delays. That $100 could save you a lot of money if your plans get disrupted.
I think about the peace of mind insurance gives me. Knowing that I’m covered if something goes wrong allows me to relax and enjoy my trip more. For $100 over 30 days, it’s less than $4 a day for that peace of mind, which I find worth it.
I’ve traveled a lot solo, and having insurance once saved me when I got severe food poisoning and needed hospitalization. Not having to worry about the cost of IV fluids and other treatment allowed me to seek medical help immediately. That $100 is nothing compared to the potential cost of a medical emergency.
I know someone whose family member had an accident on holiday and needed to be flown back to the UK, costing tens of thousands of pounds. Luckily, they had insurance. Repatriation flights can be incredibly expensive, and that’s a major reason why I always consider travel insurance essential.