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Travel Insurance for Brazil

From the parties of Carnival to the animals of the Amazon, learn how travel insurance can protect Americans traveling to Brazil.

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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.

Traveling to Brazil offers opportunities to experience vibrant cultures and adrenaline-fueled adventures. Many Americans visit Mount Corcovado to see Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue or the many rivers and islands of Recife, known as the Brazilian Venice.

If you’re wanting to take in some of the country’s natural beauty, head to Terra de Cachoeiras, known as the “Land of the Waterfalls.” Brazil is also known for pristine beaches like Baia do Sancho, Praia do Espelho, and Copacabana Beach.

While a trip to Brazil is an amazing experience, there are some things to be aware of when you’re visiting from the United States. Our nomads have danced the night away at the wild parties during Carnival and have searched for even wilder experiences in the heart of the Amazon. We’ve learned quite a bit in our travels and we encourage you to check out our team’s tips on what to know before you go to Brazil.

Because unanticipated things can always happen when traveling, you may also want to get a quote for travel insurance* for Brazil.

Aerial view of Ipanema, Arpoador and Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro.
Aerial view of Ipanema, Arpoador and Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro. Photo credit: Getty images / Giordano Cipriani

Do I need travel insurance for Brazil?

International travel can bring all kinds of unexpected surprises. Some of those are fun, like the amazing moqueca (fish stew) that you can try in Florianopolis.

Some surprises that come with traveling outside of the US are not as great. Nobody wants to think about things like canceled trips, delayed baggage, and medical emergencies, but those things can happen unexpectedly. A good travel insurance for Brazil may help with those types of situations.

World Nomads travel insurance may also assist if you get injured participating in any of the adventures and activities you’ll find there. If you get hurt while cycling through Serra da Canastra, the emergency medical coverage included in your travel insurance for Brazil may help you get the care you need.

There are four plans to choose from, and when you get a quote you can compare the options to determine the best international travel insurance for your needs.

Travel insurance for activities in Brazil

Your trip may include lying on one of the country’s alluring beaches for some rest and relaxation. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Americans traveling to Brazil-- including rafting on the Jacare Pepira River, hiking the Cachoeira da Fumaca Trail at Chapada Diamantina National Park, and scuba diving at Fernando de Noronha Marine Park.

Before you get a quote for your travel insurance for Brazil, it’s best to have an idea of your planned activities. Each plan offers different coverage. With a plan for your adventures, you can choose the best plan to ensure full coverage on all your activities in Brazil.

You can cycle tour along Brazil’s coast, along its rivers, and through its scenic mountains with any insurance plan, including the Standard Plan. But if you’re thinking you may want to try freediving in some of Brazil’s coastal areas, choose the Explorer or Epic Plan for full coverage.

Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Brazil

Travel insurance for Brazil may help cover the expenses from unexpected medical emergencies you experience while traveling.

Before you leave the US, consider making an appointment with Runway Health-- a telehealth travel clinic and our non-insurance service partner. You can book an online consultation with a doctor to see if you need vaccinations and to obtain any necessary medications before setting of for Brazil, like traveler’s diarrhea medicine or malaria prevention. We also recommend packing a strong mosquito repellent.

There are some steps you can take to stay safe in the Amazon. Such a diversity of wildlife comes with a diversity of parasites and amoebas. If you get bitten by a kissing bug, it may not be as romantic as their name leads you to believe. They’ve been known to carry the parasite that transmits Chagas Disease.

If you get hurt deep in the Amazon Rainforest and don’t have the help you need close by, your international travel insurance may also offer evacuation coverage if you need to be transported to another place to get care.

In some rural areas, you may find limited services available or find that your medical team only speaks Portuguese. If you have a medical emergency when traveling to Brazil, call the 24/7 emergency assistance team and they can help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. They can also help communicate with your Brazilian medical team if language is a barrier.

If your attending physician (and the 24/7 emergency assistance team) determines that it’s best for you to go home to the United States to get medical care, the repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Brazil may cover the costs to get you there.

Botafogo bay, Rio de Janeiro
Botafogo bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo credit: Getty Images / Andre Pinto

Travel insurance for lost bags in Brazil

Nobody plans for lost bags, but it happens. It could be pretty frustrating if you checked your swimsuit in hopes of catching the stellar waves in Itacare. Your travel insurance for Brazil may reimburse you for the cost to replace your suit and other belongings (up to plan limits, conditions and exclusions apply).

If you’re lucky, your bags and surfboard just took a detour and will eventually make their way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful. If your bag is delayed for at least 12 hours, you may be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.

If your bags are missing, the first step is to contact the airline. If the airline is unable to track down your bag, contact Blue Ribbon Bags, a non-insurance service that will track and expedite the return of your undelivered baggage by the airline. Make sure to have the file reference or record locator number and Property Irregularity Report on hand when you call Blue Ribbon Bags so you can file a lost luggage claim.

Travel insurance for stolen items in Brazil

While it’s a good idea to always be cautious when you’re traveling in Brazil, it’s especially important to be vigilant during crowded, busy events like Carnival. The Guinness Book of World Records even named the Carnival of Sao Paulo the world’s largest street carnival. The event is a great time to make new friends, but it’s also unfortunately a prime spot for pickpocketing.

It can be easy for someone to snatch your phone or cash out of your pocket without you knowing. Sometimes pickpockets operate in gangs around crowded areas. One person may cause a distraction, while one steals, someone else stashes the stolen items, and another keeps watch.

If anything does happen, make sure you make a police report. You’ll need that to make a claim to get reimbursed for stolen items with your travel insurance for Brazil.

You’ll need to do your part to keep your belongings safe too. If you have too many caipirinhas and leave your bag in a boteco, you won’t be covered if it’s not there waiting on you the next day.

Travel insurance for canceled, interrupted, or delayed trips to Brazil

Sometimes you have the perfect getaway planned, but things happen that can cancel, interrupt, or delay your trip. When you’re searching for the best travel insurance for Brazil, check to make sure it has coverage for trip cancellation, delay, and interruption so you could be reimbursed for unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if something unexpected happens.

If you get sick before leaving the US and your doctor tells you not to travel to Brazil at that time, you could be forced to cancel your trip. A good travel insurance for Brazil that includes cancellation coverage could reimburse you for those non-refundable flights, hotels, and activities you paid for in advance.

Unexpected things can also happen once you’re already in Brazil. If you get a call that an immediate family member back home has died, we understand that you may need to cut your trip short and head back home to the US earlier than expected.

The Explorer and Epic Plans may also cover for a number of travel inconveniences that may arise during your trip to Brazil if you purchased your plan during the time sensitive period. For example, if you’ve booked a cruise down the Amazon River and the company is unable to complete the scheduled itinerary due to excessive water levels, you may be eligible for compensation for this disruption to your cruise.

Tips for Traveling to Brazil from the USA

Before you leave the United States, we encourage you to check out the US government’s safety warnings for Brazil to review their up-to-date warnings for any weather, safety, and political situations.

If you purchase travel insurance for Brazil, it’s a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your plan number in your cell phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens.

Take extra camera batteries. The worst feeling is to get set up for the perfect shot, only to find out you have a dead battery. With all of the wildlife you’ll see in Brazil, make sure to read up on some of our tips on how to photograph wildlife in an ethical way.

Brazil is an amazing country full of culture, natural beauty, and adventures. Our nomads really enjoyed their time there, and we think you will too. To help you further plan, we invite you to check out more of our travel safety tips for Brazil before you leave the US.

*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.

Travel Safety TipKeep your belongings close at all times. Don’t draw attention to yourself, and refrain from wearing flashy jewelry – it can make you a target for thieves or worse, an armed hold-up or mugging. Watch out for pick-pockets and don’t fall for schemes agreeing to have someone take your photo while they hold your belongings, or other scams.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Standard Plan: $2,500
  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Epic Plan: $15,000
  • Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Standard Plan: $125,000
  • Explorer Plan: $150,000
  • Epic Plan: $250,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation

We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.

  • Standard Plan: $400,000
  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Epic Plan: $700,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.

  • Standard Plan: $1,000
  • Explorer Plan: $2,000
  • Epic Plan: $3,000
  • Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.

Protect your health

  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
  • Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Evacuations
  • Bedside Companion Travel
  • Emergency Medications

Protect Your Trip

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
  • Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
  • Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
  • Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)

Protect Your Stuff

  • Baggage Delay
  • Passport and Visa Loss
  • Lost or Stolen Bags
  • Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
  • Baggage Return After Evacuation

Non-Insurance Services

  • Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
  • Translators Available
  • Runway Health
  • FootprintID
  • Blue Ribbon Bags
This is a general summary for US residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefits limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone: +1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada

Contact the team