going abroad?Travel insurance may be required at the destination

Are you planning a trip abroad? Travel insurance may be required to visit the destination country.

Many countries had insurance requirements even before the pandemic. But Clayton Coomer, vice president of insurer Worldtrips, said about a dozen more companies would normally cover costs such as coronavirus medical bills and lodging costs if quarantined abroad. Added a rule.

Argentina, Aruba, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Bolivia, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Chile, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Jordan and Lebanon are among those with obligations in the pandemic era, Coomer said.

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Belize recently announced new requirements for all tourists starting February 15th.

“Countries are doing this so they don’t have to bear the financial burden of treating uninsured tourists who may contract Covid-19,” Coomer said.

“[The situation] It’s very evolved, especially in Omicron,” he added, referring to the highly contagious Covid-19 variant.

In all, 60 countries mandate travel insurance for tourists, according to InsureMyTrip data as of January 27.

Requirements may only apply to tourists who require a visa to enter. That is, Americans may be exempt. (For example, the 26 Schengen countries in Europe impose no rules on Americans.)

Coverage rules are fluid and vary widely.

For example, Costa Rica only requires insurance for unvaccinated travelers. Belize allows travelers to purchase coverage upon arrival (though authorities recommend doing so in advance). Both are technically part of the same European Union, but the Dutch half of the Caribbean island of St. Maarten (Sint Maarten) requires insurance coverage, while the French-controlled part (St. there is no need.

These quirks make such research increasingly necessary before travel, in addition to other immigration regulations such as testing and vaccinations. Some countries, such as Japan, have not yet opened their borders to American tourists.

The types and amounts of eligible costs vary by country.

“In many countries, travelers need travel medical insurance to cover Covid-19 treatment while traveling,” said Angela Borden, product marketing strategist at insurer Seven Corners. Some countries require insurance coverage, others do not.”

Borden said some places are asking travelers to also cover the cost of food and lodging if they have to quarantine in their destination country due to Covid.

For example, the mandatory Belize Travel Health Insurance costs $18 and covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses related to Covid-19 treatment for 21 days. In addition, we cover accommodation costs of up to $2,000 (and $300 per day) for quarantine, travel cancellations and costs due to extended stays.

Travelers to Jamaica pay a mandatory $40 fee, which includes $50,000 on-island health insurance and $5,000 travel interruption.

According to the U.S. State Department, Chile requires proof of health insurance policies that “provide traveler coverage for Covid-19 and related health issues during their stay.”

Travelers must cover at least $30,000 and present documentation at boarding. According to travel website Hopper, Chile’s capital Santiago ranks third in his list of top international destinations for Americans.

According to WorldTrips’ Coomer, most standard travel insurance policies are designed to meet the requirements of most, if not all, countries. However, consumers should ensure that the policy coverage is consistent with their destination obligations before making a purchase.

(For example, six out of seven different travel policies sold by Seven Corners to retail consumers include Covid-related coverage.)

Insurers also offer optional add-ons such as “cancellation for any reason” coverage. This is more expensive, but terms apply, but it allows consumers to get their funds back in a wider range of situations.

U.S. health insurance may or may not provide coverage abroad. (For example, Medicare and Medicaid generally don’t cover medical expenses for international travelers, according to the State Department.) If they do, your policy may not meet national standards.

Travelers can also receive some coverage via credit cards. (However, they may not be as comprehensive as individual insurance policies. Travelers typically must use the card to purchase all or part of a trip in order for coverage to apply.)

The State Department has a list of insurance option considerations for Americans going abroad.

“Travelers need to understand the importance of travel insurance for international travel,” Boden said. “Their domestic insurance may not cover them abroad, and medical facilities abroad may require advance payment before providing treatment.”