For your Holidays in Latin America and Abroad

Travel Insurance for Latin America

Latin America is a captivating region famous for its colorful festivals, ancient civilizations, and breathtaking natural wonders. From the majestic peaks of the Andes Mountains to the pristine beaches of Brazil, there's no shortage of beauty to explore.

But amidst the excitement of planning your adventure, it's crucial to be prepared for unforeseen challenges. In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about getting the right travel insurance for Latin America so you can explore the region with confidence!

Discover our travel insurance for Latin America.

What should your Travel insurance cover for a trip to Latin America?
How Does Travel Insurance for Latin America Work?
Do I need Travel Insurance for Latin America?
How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost for Latin America?
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 Latin America?
Traveling with pre-existing Medical Conditions?
FAQ

What should your travel insurance cover for a trip to Latin America?

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 Latin America Work?

Picture yourself wandering through the streets of Rio de Janeiro during Carnival, soaking in the colorful celebrations. Suddenly, amidst the bustling crowds, you realize your backpack has gone missing. Travel insurance may offer support during these critical moments by shouldering expenses incurred due to the incident.

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 Latin America?

Travel insurance isn't required for visiting Latin America, but it's highly recommended. The region's diverse landscapes and adventurous activities, combined with varying healthcare standards, highlight the importance of securing coverage. Here are some reasons why you should consider travel insurance for your Latin American adventure:

Emergency Medical Expenses: Latin America is known for its diverse landscapes and adventurous activities. In case of unexpected illnesses or accidents during these adventures, this coverage allows you to receive necessary medical treatment without worrying about the high costs associated with healthcare in some Latin American countries.
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.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: Some remote areas in Latin America may lack adequate medical facilities, especially for serious medical emergencies. In such cases, this coverage may help in evacuating travelers to the nearest appropriate medical facility or repatriating them to their home country for further treatment.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost for Latin America?

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 United Kingdom 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 Latin America 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 Latin America’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 Latin America's stunning landscapes in a rental car.

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: Assists with unexpected health issues 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 support for leaving a destination promptly due to non-health-related emergencies. These emergencies might include situations such as natural disasters or civil unrest.

Are There Any COVID-19 Restrictions for Travelers to Latin America?

Travelers visiting Latin America do not need to get vaccinated, undergo quarantine, or take a COVID-19 test before arriving.

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 Latin America?

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 Latin America?

While travel insurance is not a mandatory requirement for Americans visiting Latin America, it is highly recommended. The region is known for its diverse landscapes and adventurous activities, which can sometimes come with risks. Travel insurance may offer coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost belongings, so you can explore the region with confidence.

4.What is needed to visit Latin America from the USA?

Each country in South America has its own rules for entry, so it's important to check what's needed for the country you plan to visit. If you have a valid US passport, you can usually enter most South American countries without a visa for up to 90 days. However, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your travel date, as many South American countries require this.

5.What happens if a tourist gets sick in Latin America?

If you become sick in Latin America, travelers with AXA Travel Protection can contact the AXA Assistance hotline 855-327-144. 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.