In recent news, it has been announced that eight countries will now require a travel insurance policy before entering the country. This is in an effort to combat healthcare costs that have been rising in these nations. If you are planning on traveling to any of these countries, it is important to make sure that you have the proper coverage in place. In this blog post, we will provide a detailed list of the eight countries that are now requiring travel insurance policies.
The importance of travel insurance
In the event of an emergency, travel insurance can help to cover the costs of medical treatment and evacuation. Travel insurance can also provide financial protection in the event that your trip is canceled or interrupted. Hence, it is no secret that travel insurance is now a necessity. It can help you with many different things. Most importantly, it can help you prevent potential financial tolls from accidents or injuries. Finally, it helps you enter the country with peace of mind. For more information on travel insurance, be sure to contact your local independent insurance agent. They will be able to help you find a policy that meets your needs and budget.
1. Cuba
The requirement for travel insurance upon entry to Cuba is relatively new. In fact, it only went into effect on January 1, 2019. The policy is aimed at combating the high cost of healthcare in Cuba. While it is not required for all visitors to purchase a travel insurance policy, it is highly recommended. There are a few things that travelers should know about travel insurance policies for Cuba. First of all, medical coverage is mandatory. This means that your policy must include medical coverage in order to be valid for travel to Cuba. Secondly, medical evacuation coverage is also mandatory. This coverage will help you pay for the cost of being evacuated to a hospital in the United States or another country if you become seriously ill or injured while in Cuba.
2. Greece
Greece has been requiring travelers to have travel insurance in place for several years now. The requirement went into effect on January 11, 2011. Travelers must have a policy in place that provides at least €30,000 of coverage for medical expenses. Additionally, the policy must cover medical evacuation and repatriation. If you are planning on traveling to Greece, it is important to make sure that your policy meets these requirements.
3. Italy
Italy is one of the countries that now require travel insurance upon entry. The policy went into effect on December 15, 2014. In order to be valid for travel to Italy, your policy must provide at least €30,000 of coverage for medical expenses, much like other countries. Your insurance policy will also have to cover medical evacuation and repatriation. So, if you plan on visiting Italy any time soon, make sure you are well aware of the situation as far as the documentation you might need to enter goes. The Italian government will also require your insurance to be able to cover potential baggage stealing or baggage loss.
4. Malta
Malta also requires travelers to have travel insurance in place before entering the country. The policy went into effect on December 15, 2014. Again, like the majority of countries on this list, your health insurance policy must provide you with at least €30,000 of coverage for medical expenses. It must also cover medical evacuation and repatriation. However, you should be aware when purchasing this type of insurance when going to Malta, as not every insurance company will cover these expenses.
5. The Netherlands
The Netherlands has had this requirement in place since 2004. Like the rest of the countries here, entering the Netherlands will also require a minimum of €30.000 in coverage expenses. So, if the Netherlands is one of the places to consider going to, you will need to do your research. Moreover, the Netherlands will require your insurance policy to also cover any trip cancellation issues or situations.
6. Portugal
To continue the same trend, travelers in Portugal are now required to have a policy in place that provides at least €30,000 of coverage for medical expenses. This policy must also include medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. Additionally, your policy must cover potential baggage stealing or baggage loss while in Portugal. Why has the Portuguese government implemented such a strict policy? The answer is simple: healthcare costs in Portugal are high and continue to rise. In fact, the cost of healthcare in Portugal is now among the highest in Europe. As a result, the Portuguese government wants to make sure that visitors have some sort of protection against these high costs in case something should happen during their visit.
7. Romania
Romania is one of the newer countries to require travel insurance upon entry. The policy went into effect on January 15, 2015. For travelers, this means that their health insurance must provide at least €30,000 of coverage for medical expenses. The policy must also cover medical evacuation and repatriation. If you are planning a trip to Romania, it is important to be aware of the government’s requirements for travel insurance. Make sure you have a policy in place that meets all of the necessary criteria before you enter the country.
8. Chile
The Chilean government has also implemented a policy that requires all travelers to have travel insurance in place before entering the country. The policy went into effect on January 1, 2016. While the requirements are similar to other countries on this list, there are a few specific things that you should be aware of before purchasing a policy. First, your insurance policy must provide at least €30,000 of coverage for medical expenses. Additionally, your policy must cover medical evacuation and repatriation costs. However, unlike other countries on this list, your policy does not need to cover potential baggage stealing or baggage loss while in Chile.
As you can see, more and more countries are now requiring travelers to have some form of travel insurance in place before entering. If you are planning a trip to any of these countries, be sure to research the specific requirements for your travel insurance policy. Make sure you purchase a policy that meets all of the necessary criteria before your trip. By doing so, you can ensure that you are properly protected in case of an emergency while abroad. Travel safe! This is a trend that does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon either, as even more countries are considering implementing similar policies.