Jamaica Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance for Jamaica: A Guide for US Travelers

Jamaica is one of the most alluring islands in the Caribbean. From the rambunctious reggae bars of Kingston – the capital – to the shimmering white beaches of Negril and Ocho Rios, it's got something for all sorts of travelers, no matter if you're on a loved-up honeymoon or an offroad adventure.

But before you get lost in dreams of spicy jerk chicken and idyllic sunsets in Montego Bay, don't forget to consider that all-important travel insurance. This guide covers the ins and outs of booking your travel insurance for Jamaica this year.

What should your Travel insurance cover for a trip to Jamaica?
How does Travel Insurance work for Jamaica?
Do I need Travel Insurance for Jamaica?
How much does Travel Insurance cost for Jamaica?
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 Jamaica?
Traveling with pre-existing Medical Conditions?

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

At a minimum, your travel insurance should cover trip cancellation, trip interruption and emergency medical expenses. Regarding 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 work for Jamaica

Let's take an example: You've been hopping the famous jerk chicken shacks of Montego Bay's Hip Strip, but the spice is a bit much for the stomach, and you're soon feeling a touch under the weather.

With an AXA Travel Protection Plan in place, you'll be able to reach out to our dedicated team to find the nearest health clinic or hospital and get that bad belly seen in no time. Think of it as extra support and assistance if things go south on vacation.
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.

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.

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.

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 Jamaica?

Until the middle of 2023, all visitors to Jamaica had to purchase travel insurance under the Jamaica Cares program. That's now ended, so there's no legal requirement to purchase insurance before jetting off to the land of reggae and resplendent beaches. However, there are plenty of reasons why you still might want to do so…

Medical Emergencies: Travel insurance offers support if you fall ill or suffer an injury during your time between the white-sand beaches and jungles of Jamaica. Our cover gives the means to get fast and quality medical care whenever required.
Lost Baggage: Airlines sometimes mishandle baggage, and the last thing you want is to be without essentials in an unfamiliar place. Travel insurance offers to cover the cost of replacing necessary items, allowing you to continue on.
Flight Delays: No matter if it's a late flight into Montego Bay or a delay on your home leg back from Jamaica, travel disruptions can be an irritating part of travel. Insurance can provide help and support if things go wrong, covering any expenses incurred during missed connections, for example.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost for Jamaica?

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 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 Jamaica will be offered three tiers of insurance: Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each provides 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 Jamaica hospitals often do not accept U.S. health insurance or Medicare, we genuinely recommend travelers consider purchasing any of these plans, particularly for the crucial coverage they offer for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses.

The AXA Platinum Plan is what we encourage travelers to choose if they want extra coverage options and more flexibility. For example, it includes "Cancel for Any Reason" insurance, which lets you chop and change your plans without having to justify why, along with "Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver)" cover, which adds protections just in case you were planning on hiring a car – a great idea in Jamaica, where you'll have the winding roads of the Blue Mountains and the hidden beaches of the west coast to explore on four wheels.

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

AXA covers three types of medical expenses:

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

Emergency medical: from sudden sickness to broken bones and bodily injuries, our emergency cover offers support in many situations.

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: can cover evacuation assistance when you must leave a destination immediately for non-medical-related events. These could be things like natural disasters or civil unrest.

Are there any COVID-19 Restrictions for US Visitors?

Jamaica currently has no COVID-19 restrictions in place. There are no longer any quarantine requirements in the country, and there's no need to show antigen or COVID-19 vaccine passports at the airport.

Traveling with pre-existing Medical Conditions?

Traveling with pre-existing medical conditions can complicate your plans, but with AXA Travel Protection, we support you during your trip.

Our Gold and Platinum plans offer coverage for pre-existing 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 pre-existing 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 ensure you travel easily, no matter your health situation.

FAQs about Travel Insurance for Jamaica

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

Yes! Travelers can purchase travel insurance for Jamaica after they've booked their flights. Purchasing travel insurance for your trip is advisable as soon as you have made your initial trip deposit (prepaid and non-refundable trip costs)

2. When should I buy Travel Insurance for Jamacia?

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 pre-existing 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 to Jamaica?

American travelers do not need travel insurance to visit Jamaica, though it may be a good idea for added protection on your trip.

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

Citizens of the USA hoping to visit Jamaica will need a valid passport. You might also be asked to show proof of funds for travel and proof of your return flight. Everyone entering Jamaica is also asked to fill out a C5 form, which is a joint immigration and customs document that can be completed online in advance of travel.

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

If you become sick in Jamacia, travelers with AXA Travel protection can contact the AXA Assistance hotline at 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.