Do I need insurance to travel to Antarctica?

When planning an Expediton Cruise to Antarctica or the Arctica Travel insurance becomes a crucial necessity. Exploring the icy landscapes of the Polar regions is indeed a rewarding adventure, yet it carries a slight yet inherent risk. There are basically two types of insurance you need to consider for these type of travel; Mandatory Travel insurance covering you for medical evacuation and repatriation in case of a medical issue while cruising the gelid and remote Polar regions and an Optional (highly recommended) Cancellation or Trip interruption Travel insurance.

Mandatory Insurance:

Mandatory Medical & Evacuation Insurance: For Polar voyages, this coverage is mandatory. Your insurance plan should encompass personal injuries, medical expenses, repatriation, evacuation costs, and pre-existing medical conditions. This policy should covers air-evacuation from remote destinations to the nearest medical facility. The cost of such evacuation can easily exceed US$250,000 per person, prompting Polar operators to set this as the minimum coverage. However, it’s essential to understand that once you’re delivered to the nearest hospital, the subsequent medical expenses also need to covered.
General Travel Insurance: Will safeguard your investment under unforeseen circumstances such as but not limited, theft, loss or damage of luggage, delay or cancellation of flights preventing you to start or take part on a booked excursion. But most often they do not offer Cancellation Premiums for the total value of your trip.

Points you should consider while buying your Travel Insurance:

Medical Evacuation and Repatriation coverage in remote areas is included with a minimum coverage of $250,000 per person (mandatory coverage amount may vary).
Insurance against flight cancellations and date changes.
Out-of-country medical treatment, with pre existence medical conditions.
Coverage for theft, loss or damage property, delay and cancellation of flights.

It’s important to note that each Travel Insurance Policy may have unique features, so it’s advisable to review them carefully based on your individual circumstances. Additionally, the policies available in different countries may differ. Thus we recommend that travellers consult a travel insurance specialist to select the coverage that best suits their specific trip requirements and personal circumstances. While at Antarctica Travels we can recommend Travel Insurance providers that are known to deliver good coverage and claim resolution, we can not advise you on your personal choice.

Highly Recommended: Trip Cancellation Insurance

Many things can happen before or during your travels that may force you to cancellation or disrupt your travel plans. In such circumstances, it’s important to note that Antarctica Travels and the cruise operator of your choice may not be able to take responsibility for circumstances of personal nature or beyond our control and the Terms & Conditions of your booking will be applied. This is where your travel insurance steps in as your lifeline for financial recovery.

You’ll find trip cancellation coverage is available as an add-on to travel insurance policies. It can be included as part of a comprehensive travel insurance policy or may even be offered as a complimentary feature with select premium credit cards.

What Does Trip Cancellation Insurance Cover? Consider this scenario: You’ve meticulously planned a two-week expedition cruise to Antarctica for $9,000 which is non-refundable. Then, a week before your departure, you suffer an unfortunate injury, you loose your job or a family member falls ill. With trip cancellation insurance in place, you can recover the entire prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost (assuming the entire amount was insured), as injuries necessitating medical treatment and preventing you from embarking on your journey qualify as a covered reason.

Is Trip Cancellation Insurance Expensive? The cost of trip cancellation insurance can fluctuate based on factors such as the traveler’s age, destination, trip duration, overall trip cost, and the insurance provider, But just to give you an idea the premium may cost between 2.3% to 9.4% of the total trip cost.

Recommended: Senior Travellers Insurance

While we strongly believe that age should never be a barrier to exploration and adventure travel, we understand that our senior adventurers may have to search for special travel insurance providers offering coverage for those above 75yo. Travel insurance designed with seniors in mind can provide the peace of mind and protection needed to enjoy their journeys to the fullest, knowing they have the right coverage in place.

For senior travelers, an insurance policy should not only offer essential medical coverage but also consider factors such as trip cancellation and interruption protection, coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, and emergency medical evacuation. Additionally, the policy should cater to the specific destinations and activities the senior traveler intends to undertake during their journeys. Our guide delves into the intricacies of these considerations, making it an indispensable resource for seniors seeking reliable and well-suited travel insurance options.

Our list of recommended Insurance companies, experienced and focused on Travelers