Travel insurance is one of the murkiest parts of planning a trip. Do you actually need it? And what does it cover? And why would another country require visitors to have it? Let’s get into the nitty-gritty.
Is travel insurance necessary?
At its broadest, travel insurance covers potential losses that could happen while you’re traveling. Sounds straightforward, right? In reality, travel insurance policies might only cover specific things, like medical emergencies, missed flights, and lost luggage.
But the average policy might not cover things like medical emergencies from preexisting conditions, unforeseen changes due to political conflict, tour operator defaults, and a series of other obstacles. It’s always worth it to read the fine print.
You might also want to take another look at whether travel insurance is necessary.
Here’s why other countries want you to have it: so you’re less of a financial burden if everything goes wrong. Here’s why you might actually need it: if you’d be financially unable to recoup any losses from your trip, then you need it.
Countries that require travel insurance
Before we cover which countries require travel insurance, I want to direct you toward the Smart Traveler app. This handy tool comes from the US Department of State. It offers live updates on travel recommendations from the US and all of our embassy locations. It also has a 4.8 rating on the Apple App Store, which is pretty outstanding for a state-run app.
Now back to insurance. Sometimes, purchasing travel insurance isn’t up for debate. There’s a growing number of countries that require US citizens to purchase travel insurance. I’ve sourced this from the US Department of State.
- Bermuda
- Bhutan
- Cuba
- The Galapagos Island (Ecuador)
- Jordan
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Qatar
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Schengen Visa Countries (more on this below)
- Seychelles
- Sri Lanka
- Turkey
- Ukraine
Do you need travel insurance in Schengen countries?
Never heard of Schengen? This area includes 29 countries across Europe where borders have been ‘abolished’. That means that Europeans can travel freely between them without a passport.
It also simplifies things for travelers; US citizens can spend 90 days within a 180-day period inside Schengen countries. According to the US Department of State, the only official entry requirement for Europe’s Schengen area is having a passport that’s valid for at least six more months.
At the same time, it’s advised that travelers have insurance when heading to Europe. For now, I recommend you skip it. However, the EU recently ruled that in 2025, US citizens must officially apply for visas before coming over. I’m sure that will involve some proof of travel insurance.
My take on travel insurance
As someone who has traveled extensively and lived in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, I recommend focusing on travel insurance only as needed.
In other words, think about the type of trip you’re taking and not just where you’re going.
In close to fifteen years of consistent travel and life on the road, there are only two times when travel insurance would have been relevant to me.
First, when I traveled to see Swedish House Mafia play in Mumbai on their last world tour in 2013 (don’t judge me). On the day of the show, the mayor of Mumbai died and political upheaval ensued. Me and my friends were trapped in our friend’s apartment for days. Travel insurance, theoretically, would have helped us recoup the costs of travel to Mumbai.
I also had the pleasure of traveling to Cuba a week after Fidel Castro died in 2016. The nation entered a period of mourning, which meant things like alcohol, music, and dancing weren’t allowed. Travel insurance, in this case, might not have actually helped me recoup any of my travel losses.
Common cases
So, here’s my final thought: travel insurance is helpful when there’s a lot on the line. If you’re setting off on a long-term and extended vacation, then you’re more likely to encounter a bump in the road. Travel insurance can go a long way in helping you sort out any obstacles, from lost luggage to last-minute checkups at the doctor.
If you’re going to be toting around expensive equipment, then you absolutely need to be covered. This is true for people heading out on adventure tours, such as skiing or snowboarding, along with musicians who might have pricey instruments with them. If Fido is coming with you, then you should both be covered.
Lastly, think about your medical history. If you rely on several medications and are prone to a lil’ medical emergency now and then, I highly recommend using travel insurance. You don’t want any hiccups when you’re being rushed to an urgent care center.