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Whether you plan to surf the Pacific Ocean or ski the Andes, a trip to Chile will be memorable.
“The diverse landscape of Chile will make you want to come back to experience more,” says Scott Adamski, a spokesman for AIG Travel Insurance.
“From the Andes mountains, volcanoes, beaches, Atacama Desert, rainforests and more, Chile will not disappoint. Trips to Easter Island are a must, as is a trip to Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of Chile.”
Here’s what you should buy in a travel insurance policy for a trip to Chile, to make sure your trip is memorable for all the right reasons.
Travel Insurance Recommendations for a Trip to Chile
If you are planning a South American adventure in Chile, it is essential to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan to protect your trip, wellness and possessions investment. To see also : High-Tech Track opens up job opportunities for researchers.
It could be cheaper than you think. The average cost of travel insurance for Chile is $160. This is based on travel insurance for Chile trips purchased this year, with an average trip length of 15 days and an average trip cost of $2,236.
Your cost will vary based on the plan you choose, but the best travel insurance plans combine the following types of coverage:
Trip Cancellation Insurance: Putting Chile on Ice
The best laid plans can hit unexpected snags. If something unexpected happens and you have to pull the plug on your plans for Chile, the trip cancellation benefits in your travel insurance plan can help.
Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you 100% of any pre-paid, non-refundable trip expenses you lose if you have to cancel your trip for a reason covered by your policy. To see also : Does Summer of Revenge Travel Here? Hope Businesses So..
Acceptable reasons for cancellation with a standard travel insurance plan generally include:
For example, if your college-age son develops meningitis five days before your trip to Chile leaves, you could cancel your trip and seek a refund. Because you’re canceling for a covered reason, you could file a claim to recover any losses, such as prepaid hotels and non-refundable vineyard tours.
But your travel insurance plan won’t cover you for all reasons for cancellation. For example, if your daughter is receiving an award from her company and your trip to Chile interferes with the lunch date, this is not a covered reason.
“Cancel for any reason” coverage
If you want the most latitude to cancel your trip to Chile, consider upgrading your standard travel insurance plan by adding “Cancel for any reason” coverage. To see also : Reading: Secretary Becerra, Walsh meets with health insurance company, employee benefit plan stakeholders to discuss birth control coverage. Doing so will increase the cost of your plan by around 50%.
This gold standard travel insurance cover gives you the flexibility to cancel for any reason, as long as you cancel your trip at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure. As long as you comply with the provisions of the plan, you can file a claim and usually get 75% of your trip costs back.
Trip Delay Insurance: See You Soon, Santiago
If you have a connecting flight on your way to Chile, there is an increased chance that you will be delayed in reaching your destination. If this happens, trip delay insurance can help.
For example, if your connecting flight from Mexico City to Santiago is delayed 10 hours due to airline mechanical issues, you can turn to your trip delay benefits for financial assistance. This may include reimbursement for the cost of a hotel stay, taxi fare and some meals, while you wait for the next available flight.
If the delay causes you to lose pre-paid out-of-pocket expenses such as the private transport you arranged in advance, you can file a claim for that loss as well.
Make sure you check the waiting time for journey delays in your policy, which could be six hours, 12 or 24 hours. The waiting time listed is how long you have to delay before your benefits are applied for.
Trip Interruption Insurance: Postponing Petrohué
The last thing you want to happen while you’re enjoying your time in Chile is to be told there’s an emergency at home.
If you are enjoying a day trip to Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls and you get a call from your brother that your mother has died, you may have to cut your trip short and return home as soon as possible.
Trip interruption insurance can cover your last minute economy fare ticket home. It may also reimburse you for any unused and non-refundable trip expenses that you forfeit due to your unexpected early departure.
Not all reasons for ending your trip early will be covered by travel insurance. If the hot climate in Chile is too uncomfortable for you, you can’t rely on your travel insurance to pay your way home soon.
Check your policy to see what circumstances are covered. Some travel insurance companies offer “cancellation for any reason” upgrades for more extensive coverage.
Travel Medical Insurance for Illness and Accidents Abroad
Travel medical insurance is highly recommended when traveling to Chile.
Adamski of AIG Travel Insurance notes that your US-based health insurance policy may provide limited or no coverage when you’re outside the US.
It is best to check with your health insurance company to see if any global coverage is available. Also, seniors should know that Medicare usually does not cover you while in a foreign country unless you have a Medicare Advantage plan that offers that coverage.
“While excellent medical care is available in Chile’s major cities, your travels will likely take you to more remote regions of the country,” says Adamski.
If you are injured or become ill while exploring, you may need help communicating with local medical staff or – depending on the severity of your condition – need immediate transport to get you to a facility appropriate medicine, says Adamski. A travel insurance company with 24/7 assistance services and travel medical coverage can get you the help you need.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
Say you’re on a tour of Easter Island and have a medical issue like a seizure. In this situation, emergency medical evacuation coverage could be a lifesaver.
“Medical evacuations can be extremely expensive, so making sure your policy has adequate evacuation coverage can keep you out of serious trouble,” Adamski explains.
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Medical & evacuation limits per person
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Insurance for Baggage and Belongings
You may be using different forms of transport during your visit to Chile, so luggage cover is also important.
“For example, a trip with multiple legs can create timing issues—making it in time for your flight or train—which increases the likelihood of lost or misdirected luggage,” says Adamski. If your luggage is lost, you can file a claim with your travel insurance company.
Note that baggage coverage is secondary, so if an airline loses your bag, you’ll need to file a claim with that company first. Also, your bag and its contents will only be refunded at its depreciated value. Be sure to save receipts for any valuables you are packing.
In addition to luggage, your travel insurance plan covers your personal effects while in Chile. If you are walking through a shopping district in Valparaiso and your backpack is stolen, you can file a claim for related losses.
If this happens, file a theft report with your tour leader, hotel manager or local authorities. You will need to present this documentation when you file your claim.
Coverage for Chilean Natural Disasters
Chile can experience volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis, something you’ll want to keep in mind when purchasing travel insurance.
“Travel insurance will not cover a known issue or disaster,” says Meghan Walch, spokeswoman for InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance comparison site. “So if a tsunami affects your trip, but it happens before you buy a travel insurance policy, you won’t get cover.”
This is why it is important to buy travel insurance well in advance of your trip.
When to Buy Travel Insurance for a Trip to Chile
Although you can buy travel insurance as late as the day before you leave for Chile, the best course of action is to buy a policy within 15 days of putting down your first trip deposit. This will give you cover for a longer period at no further cost.
Buying early can give you access to important benefits, such as pre-existing condition waivers, and will allow you to upgrade your policy with options such as “Cancel for Any Reason” cover.
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