Just like passport and Visa requirements, countries around the world have varying rules when it comes to whether travel insurance is required. These rules also evolve over time, so it is important to rely on current information when planning international travel. Typically, this information is available on the destination country’s embassy or consulate site. It is also key that travel suppliers have appropriate disclaimers in place that place the responsibility for understanding and procuring entry requirements on the travel agent and/or traveler.
The following is a summary of travel insurance requirements today1.
Travelers from the USA
Whether insurance is required depends on the insured’s country of residence and destination country. Aon Travel Practice plans and the coverages we offer are designed to meet the needs of US travelers. In the US, coverage designs typically focus on trip cancellation – this represents approximately 80% of paid claims.
Very little has changed for US travelers as far as being required to carry health insurance coverage:
- Cuba requires coverage from a non-US company, travelers can purchase this upon arrival2.
- New Caledonia, a French territory off Australia, requires provide proof of coverage prior to entering3.
- Ecuador had enacted a law requiring health coverage but as of August 2018 eliminated the requirement4.
The Schengen Visa & Travel Insurance Requirement5
Note: The following does not apply to citizens of the US, Canada, Mexico, and the EU.
Schengen refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers most of the European countries. Only travelers from certain countries need a Schengen visa and travel insurance. The insurance must include €30,000 EUR of medical coverage (approximately $35k USD as of January 2019).
The 26 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Nationals of certain countries that have yet not reached a visa-liberalization agreement with the Schengen member states need to obtain a visa prior of their arrival in Europe, and would require proof of sufficient insurance.
This requirement only applies to guests traveling from: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burma/ Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cote D’ivoire, Cuba, Dem. Rep of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosova, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Mariana’s, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The UAE6
Health insurance is mandatory for certain visitors to enter the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi etc.), for citizens of countries that are required to apply for a UAE Visa prior to travel. However, citizens of many countries, including the US and EU, are eligible to receive a Visa upon arrival, with no travel insurance requirement.
Antarctica
Due to the remoteness of the destination, Antarctic operators typically require travel insurance which includes comprehensive health coverage is mandatory for all cruises to the white continent. The requirement would usually include a range of medical benefits and emergency evacuation.
- The information provided is based on data publicly available in the travel marketplace and is not legal guidance on the topic.
- Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cuba.html
- Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/NewCaledonia.html
- Source: https://www.turismo.gob.ec/official-statement/
- Source: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/
- Sources: https://www.uae-embassy.org/services-resources/visas-passports/us-citizens; https://www.dubai.com/visa-requirements/
About Aon Affinity Travel Practice
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