Asia Travel Insurance: how to choose the best coverage

Travel Insurance for Asia

Asia, the largest and most populous continent on Earth, is a kaleidoscope of cultures, landscapes, and experiences. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene backwaters of Kerala, Asia is a melting pot of ancient traditions, modern marvels, and natural wonders.

While Asia offers incredible experiences, it also presents unique challenges for travelers. As you embark on your journey through this diverse continent, it's essential to arm yourself with the right tools for a worry-free experience. Here's everything you need to know about travel insurance for Asia so you can enjoy your adventures with confidence.

Discover our travel insurance for Asia

What should your Travel insurance cover for a trip to Asia?
How Does Travel Insurance for Asia Work?
Do I need Travel Insurance for Asia?
How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost for Asia?
Our Suggested AXA Travel Protection Plan
What types of medical coverage does AXA Travel Protection plans offer?
Are There Any COVID-19 Restrictions for Travelers to Asia?
Traveling with pre-existing Medical Conditions?
FAQ

What should your travel insurance cover for a trip to Asia?

At a minimum, your travel insurance should cover trip cancellation, trip interruption and emergency medical expenses. When it comes to international travel, the US Department of State outlines key components that should be included in your travel insurance coverage.

AXA Travel Protection plans are designed with these minimum recommended coverages in mind.

Medical Coverage – The top priority is making sure your health is in order. With AXA Travel Protection, you can have access to quality healthcare during your trip overseas in the event of unexpected medical emergencies.
Trip Cancellation & Interruptions – Assistance against unexpected trip disruptions can dampen the mood, AXA Travel Protection offers coverage against unforeseen events.
Emergency Evacuations and Repatriation – In situations where transportation is dire, AXA Travel Protection offers provisions for emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Coverage for Personal Belongings – AXA offers coverage for your belongings with assistance against lost or delayed baggage.
Optional Cancel for Any Reason – For added flexibility, AXA offers optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage, allowing you to cancel your trip for non-traditional reasons. Exclusive to Platinum Plan holders.

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How Does Travel Insurance for Asia Work?

You're enjoying a relaxing vacation in Bali when a natural disaster, such as a volcanic eruption or earthquake, occurs, prompting local authorities to evacuate the area. With travel insurance, you can receive assistance for trip interruption and emergency evacuation and repatriation, helping you navigate the situation and arrange alternative travel plans or return home safely.

No matter how dire the situation becomes, AXA is there to help you create a strategic plan of action. Here’s how travelers can benefit from an AXA Travel Protection Plan:

Medical Benefits:

Emergency Medical Expenses: Should you fall ill or have an accident during your trip, your policy may offer coverage for medical expenses, including hospital stays and doctor's fees.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In case of a serious medical emergency, your policy may include provisions for evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility or repatriation.
Non-Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In non-medical crises (e.g., political unrest), your policy may cover evacuation or repatriation, subject to policy terms.

Baggage Benefits:

Luggage Delay: If the airline delays your checked baggage, your policy might offer reimbursement for essential items like clothing and toiletries.
Lost or Stolen Luggage: In the unfortunate event of permanent loss or theft of your luggage, your policy may offer reimbursement for its value, assisting you in replacing your belongings.

Pre-Departure Travel Benefits:

Trip Cancellation: You may be eligible for reimbursement if you cancel your trip due to a sudden illness or injury.
COVID-19 Travel Insurance: Coverage is available for trip cancellation and medical expenses related to COVID-19, subject to policy terms and conditions.
Trip Delay: If your flight faces delays due to unforeseen circumstances, you may have coverage for additional expenses such as meals and accommodations.

Post-Departure Travel Benefits

Trip Interruption: In case of an unexpected event, you could be eligible for reimbursement for the unused portion of your trip.
Missed Connection: If you miss a connecting flight due to delays or cancellations, this coverage may help with expenses like rebooking fees and accommodations.

Additional Optional Travel Benefits

Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver): Exclusive to Gold & Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit gives travelers extra coverage on their rental car against damage and theft.
Cancel for Any Reason: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders; this optional benefit gives travelers more flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason outside of their standard policy.
Loss Skier Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate some costs associated with pre-paid ski tickets that you or your traveling companion cannot use due to specified slope closures.
Loss Golf Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate the expenses linked to prepaid golf arrangements that you or your travel companion are unable to utilize due to specified golf closures.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Asia?

While travel insurance is not strictly required for visiting Asia, it is strongly recommended due to the unique experiences and challenges the continent presents. Asia is vast and diverse, with varying levels of healthcare standards, transportation infrastructure, and environmental conditions across different countries.

Here are several reasons why we recommend travel insurance for vacations to Asia:

1. Emergency Medical Expenses: Asia's diverse landscapes and cultural attractions often involve adventurous activities such as trekking, exploring remote regions, or trying local cuisine. In the event of an unexpected illness or injury during these activities, having coverage for emergency medical expenses allows travelers to access quality healthcare without worrying about expensive medical bills.

2. Lost Baggage: Airlines sometimes mishandle baggage, and the last thing you want is to be without your essentials in an unfamiliar place. Travel insurance offers to cover the cost of replacing necessary items, allowing you to continue on.

3. Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: Asia is prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, especially in regions like Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. In case of a serious medical emergency or natural disaster, having provisions for emergency evacuation or repatriation allows travelers to be safely transported to the nearest appropriate medical facility or evacuated from the affected area to receive necessary medical care.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost for Asia?

In general, travel insurance costs about 3 – 10% of your total prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses. The cost of travel insurance depends on two factors for AXA Travel Protection plans:

Total Trip cost: The total amount of non-prepaid and non-refundable costs you have already paid for your upcoming trip. This includes prepaid excursions, plane tickets, cruise costs, etc.

Age: Like any other insurance type, the correlation is rooted in increased health risks associated with older individuals. It's important to note that this doesn't make travel insurance unattainable for older individuals.

With AXA Travel Protection, travelers to the Asia will be offered three tiers of insurance: Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each provide varying levels of coverage to cater to individual's preferences and travel needs.

Our Suggested AXA Travel Protection Plan

AXA presents travelers with three travel plans – the Silver Plan, Gold Plan, and Platinum Plan , each offering different levels of coverage to suit individual needs. Given that The Caribbean hospitals often do not accept U.S. health insurance or Medicare, we genuinely recommend travelers to consider purchasing any of these plans, particularly for the crucial coverage they offer for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses.

The Platinum Plan is your go-to choice if you're looking for extra coverage for The Caribbean’s experience. "Cancel for Any Reason" offers greater flexibility for those unexpected twists in your travel plans and the "Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver)" offers assistance when you're out exploring The Caribbean's stunning landscapes in a rental car.

Loss Skier Days and Loss Golf Days, exclusive to Platinum plan policyholders, offer reimbursement for pre-paid ski tickets or golf arrangements that cannot be used due to specified closures in Asia. Whether facing slope closures in destinations like Japan's Hokkaido or golf course shutdowns in countries like South Korea or Thailand, these benefits allow a smoother travel experience in Asia.

What types of medical coverage does AXA Travel Protection plans offer?

AXA covers three types of medical expenses:

Emergency medical
Emergency evacuation & repatriation
Non-medical emergency evacuation & repatriation

Emergency medical: This coverage includes unexpected incidents like broken bones, burns, sudden illnesses, and allergic reactions.

Emergency evacuation and repatriation: Can cover your immediate transportation home in the event of an accidental injury or illness.

Non-medical emergency evacuation and repatriation: Offers assistance for evacuating from a destination swiftly in situations not related to health issues. Examples include natural disasters or civil unrest.

Are There Any COVID-19 Restrictions for Travelers to Asia?

Although many Asian countries have eased Covid-19 entry requirements, mainland China, Myanmar, and Iran continue to maintain them. Moreover, certain nations that have relaxed their measures, like the Philippines, still mandate travelers to submit a health declaration form upon arrival. Therefore, thorough research into the entry requirements of your destination country is crucial.

Traveling with preexisting Medical Conditions?

Traveling with preexisting medical conditions can complicate your plans, but with AXA Travel Protection, we're here to support you during your trip.

Our Gold Plan, and Platinum Plans offer coverage for preexisting medical conditions.
The Platinum plan, in particular, is our highest-offered choice for travelers who want our highest coverage limits and optional add-ons,

What does this mean for you? If you've got a medical condition that's been hanging around, you can qualify for coverage under our Gold and Platinum plan with a preexisting medical condition, so long as it’s within 14 days of placing your initial trip deposit and in our 60 day look back period. We're here to make sure you travel with ease, no matter your health situation.

FAQ

1.Can you buy travel insurance after booking a flight?

You can buy travel insurance even after your flight is booked.

2.When should I buy Travel Insurance to Asia?

It's advisable to purchase travel insurance for your trip as soon as you have made your initial trip deposit (prepaid and non-refundable trip costs.)

AXA Travel Protection offers coverage as soon as you purchase your protection plan. We can give coverage against unforeseen events before you leave for your trip.

Additionally, our policies offer coverage for preexisting medical conditions and Cancel for Any Reason if you purchase your protection within 14-days of making your initial trip deposit.

3.Do Americans need travel insurance in Asia?

No, travel insurance is not mandated for Americans visiting Asia. However, it is strongly recommended due to the unique challenges and diverse environments found across the continent.

4.What is needed to visit Asia from the USA?

US citizens visiting Asia typically need a valid passport, may require a visa depending on the destination, and should check specific health requirements such as vaccinations and COVID-19 tests. It's important to have a detailed travel itinerary, including flight and accommodation bookings, and consider purchasing travel insurance for medical emergencies and trip protection.

5.What happens if a tourist gets sick in Asia?

If you become sick in Asia, travelers with AXA Travel Protection can contact the AXA Assistance hotline 855-327-1442 Contact information is typically provided within the insurance documentation. Please ensure to read through your policy details and information.

Disclaimer: It is important to note that Destination articles are for editorial purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional. Specifics of travel coverage for your destination will depend on the plan selected, the date of purchase, and the state of residency. Customers are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions of their policy. Contact AXA Travel Insurance if you have any questions. AXA Assistance USA, Inc.© 2023 All Rights Reserved.