Flights? Booked! Hotel rooms? Reserved! Instagram-ready outfits? Packed! How about travel insurance?
For many vacationers, travel insurance is just an afterthought. Most travelers realize its importance only after the worst happens. If you’re flying abroad, you may need this kind of safety net, especially if your destination is one of the countries requiring travel insurance.
So is travel insurance mandatory? Which are the countries that require travel insurance? Keep reading to find out.
Is travel insurance required to leave the Philippines? It depends on the country you’re visiting.
Some nations won’t compel you to buy travel insurance, but highly recommend it all the same. On the other hand, there are countries that require travel insurance.
But you shouldn’t look at travel insurance as a mere requirement. After all, it comes with practical features that will save you from stress and headaches in the long run.
Here's why you need to get travel insurance for your trip abroad:
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Travel insurance is mandatory for which countries? Several countries in Europe require Schengen travel insurance. Certain countries from the non-Schengen zone, Asia, South America, and Africa also won’t allow you to enter without travel insurance.
Here’s a list of countries that require travel insurance:
Note: International travel rules may change without prior notice, so keep in mind that this list is neither exhaustive nor definitive. To see if the country you’re visiting requires travel insurance, visit the country’s official government website, get in touch with the local embassy, or ask your travel agent.
Read more: Europe, Here I Come: Schengen Visa Requirements in the Philippines
Getting a tourist visa for your trip abroad? Make sure to check if travel insurance is required!
Compare your travel insurance options below and apply directly via Moneymax:
You may be wondering, "Why is travel insurance mandatory in some countries?" Agreements among countries, such as those in the Schengen Area, is one of the reasons behind this requirement.
Required or not, getting a travel insurance policy is a good measure since medical costs in other countries are significantly expensive. This is true for Schengen Area countries and even for certain places that don’t require travel insurance, such as Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong.
In many cases, a travel insurance policy is one of the requirements for a visa application. For instance, a Schengen visa application requires proof of travel insurance with a specified minimum coverage.
If you don’t present this requirement, your visa application will be denied. In turn, you won’t be able to enter the country.
This depends on the type of trip. Check out certain circumstances that may require corresponding inclusions:
Yes. Travel insurance benefits may not apply to the following situations:
If you have more questions regarding travel insurance, you may find the answers in this section:
Travel insurance isn’t a requirement for foreign visitors in the United States. But experienced travelers recommend getting one.
The U.S. healthcare system is mainly private, which means treatment costs are very expensive. There's also no universal healthcare that provides health benefits for the country’s citizens and visitors.[2]
Japan doesn’t require tourists to get travel insurance. Nevertheless, it’s strongly recommended to get your own insurance with medical (including COVID-19) coverage.
Japan has a universal healthcare insurance system that covers foreigners, as long as they have residency status.[3] But if you’re a tourist who happens to get sick, injured, and hospitalized, you need to pay for the medical expenses out of pocket.
Failure to pay your medical bills has serious repercussions that will affect your future travel plans. You’ll be denied entry to the country the next time you visit. The country’s authorities screen foreign visitors for records of unpaid bills.[4]
Read more: 21 Japan Travel Tips: Tax-Free Shopping, Spots to Visit, and More
No. Travel insurance is an optional add-on for your trips to South Korea. However, many travelers recommend getting a policy since healthcare costs in South Korea are high.
Singapore doesn’t require visitors to get travel insurance. But keep in mind that Singapore has expensive healthcare costs, even at public hospitals like Singapore General Hospital (SGH). Stay on the safe side by getting a policy with high limits.
Read more: G for SG: Requirements to Travel to Singapore From the Philippines
Hong Kong doesn’t require its visitors to get travel insurance. But if you want to protect your finances, you’re free to get your own policy. While the city has a reliable public healthcare system, it doesn’t cover tourists.
Hong Kong is a very expensive city, so expect high hospital costs. You can bypass this issue if you have travel insurance with adequate coverage.
No. Thailand doesn’t require visitors to get travel insurance. Nevertheless, that shouldn’t stop you from getting one, especially since dealing with healthcare costs using your own wallet while overseas can be cumbersome.
Travel insurance requirements vary from one provider to another. But they’re generally easy to supply. Typically, you need to fill out the online application form, provide passport details, and specify the destination.
You may also need to acknowledge certain conditions. For instance, the insured individual must not have pre-existing illnesses. Otherwise, they won’t be able to claim the benefits.
If you’re applying online, make sure you have your credit or debit card with you for payment.
To make sure you won’t forget about it, purchase your travel insurance weeks before the trip. One advantage of early purchase is that you can review the policy. Some insurers let you adjust your policy based on any changes in your travel plans.
However, you can still get it within 24 hours before the scheduled departure.
This will depend on your insurer, but bear in mind that some travel insurance companies offer non-cancellable and non-refundable products.
However, you may still be allowed to adjust your policy depending on your travel plans.
Nobody wants to have to use their travel insurance policy, but life happens. In such cases, you need to know how the claim process works:
Is travel insurance mandatory? In some countries, yes. But even if a country doesn’t require it, get a policy just to stay on the safe side.
While traveling is a thrilling activity, it’s also unpredictable. A lot of things can go wrong, turning an otherwise fun vacation into a stressful one.
Got your travel insurance and all other requirements ready? Before you fly off, don't forget to bring a credit card specially designed for travel! Compare your options below and apply via Moneymax:
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