From the rainforests to the sea, learn how travel insurance can help Americans traveling to the Caribbean.
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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.
Considered to be the picture of paradise, the Caribbean consists of over 7,000 islands, cays, and reefs that have been organized into 30 different territories. The region is famed for its white sandy beaches, blue waters, and laid-back atmosphere. Just a short flight away from many spots in the US, the Caribbean is understandably a popular vacation destination among Americans.
The Caribbean has an adventure for any type of traveler, from thrill seekers to families to honeymooners. You can dive into the region’s cultural heritage at the best museums in the Caribbean, move your hips while learning salsa in Havana, visit a rum distillery in Jamaica, be serenaded by soulful Caribbean music, savor spicy seafood dishes, and attend colorful cultural festivals like Junkanoo in the Bahamas. Outdoor lovers can climb La Soufrière, St. Vincent’s active volcano, mountain bike in Trinidad and Tobago, and scuba dive in Cuba.
While a trip to the Caribbean is a fun adventure, there are some things to be aware of when you’re visiting from the US. We’ve learned quite a bit from our travels, and we encourage you to explore travel insurance* plans for the Caribbean.
International travel can bring all kinds of unexpected surprises - like finding a waterfall in the Piton Mountains in St. Lucia.
Some surprises are not as great though. Nobody wants to think about things like canceled trips, delayed baggage, and medical emergencies, but these things can happen unexpectedly. If you fall and twist your ankle while climbing Blue Mountain Peak in Jamaica, you may then wish that you had travel insurance for the Caribbean.
World Nomads has 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.
In a region defined by the surrounding sea, you’ll likely do a few water sports during your vacation in the Caribbean. Perhaps you want to go sailing around the Bahamas, scuba diving in Antigua, or sea kayaking along the Waitukubuli Sea Trail in Dominica. The region also offers plenty of land adventures across rainforests, volcanoes, and waterfalls. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Americans traveling to the Caribbean and includes things like hiking Mount Liamuiga on St. Kitts and horseback riding through Vinales National Park in Cuba.
Before you get a quote for your travel insurance for the Caribbean, it’s helpful to have a general itinerary in mind. Different plans cover different activities. A list of activities will help you choose the best insurance for your trip—and make sure even your most daring adventure is covered.
For example, if you want to go kitesurfing in Turks & Caicos or climb one of the pitons on St. Lucia, you’ll be covered under all plans, including the Standard Plan. However, if you’re planning to ditch the scuba gear and go free diving in Bonaire, you’ll need to invest in an Explorer or an Epic Plan.
Accidents can happen to anyone. Maybe you have a surfing accident while catching waves in Puerto Rico or something goes wrong while you are scuba diving. Most Americans diving in the Caribbean have no problems at all, but sometimes things happen. If you get decompression sickness, emergency medical coverage under your travel insurance for the Caribbean could reimburse you for your medical expenses.
In case you have a medical emergency when traveling to the Caribbean, you can 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. Not all islands are English-speaking so the team they can also help communicate with your local medical team if there are language barriers.
If your attending physician (and the 24/7 emergency assistance team) determines that it’s best for you to go home to the US to get medical care, the repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for the Caribbean may cover the costs to get you there.
The Caribbean sun is strong, so pack sunscreen and don’t be shy about reapplying it. Since you’ll likely be spending a lot of time in the water, look into reef-safe sunscreens. Food and water sanitation are quite good on many islands—and the tap water is drinkable in many places too. However, as the region is quite vast, we encourage you to do some research on your specific destination ahead of time.
To streamline your experience seeking medical treatment in the Caribbean, we recommend signing up for FootprintID before your trip. This non-insurance service is a portable personal health record where your documents, prescriptions, test results, and emergency contacts are accessible in one place anywhere in the world. Whether you need to refill a prescription or deal with a more serious injury, FootprintID expedites the process.
What happens if you land in Nassau, but your bag doesn’t arrive at the same time? You probably packed your favorite swimsuit and maybe your snorkeling gear as well. Your travel insurance for the Caribbean may reimburse you for a change of clothes and toiletries until your bag makes its way to you.
If you’re lucky, your bags just took a detour and will eventually make their way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. If your bag is delayed for 12 hours or more, you may still be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.
The first step is to contact the airline. If the airline isn’t able to help you locate your lost bag, the second step is to 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.
Safety varies across the region. Many of the islands are incredibly safe and you’ll likely encounter no issues. Other spots experience theft or other crimes, and you’ll want to be aware of your belongings, such as in cities and touristy areas like Montego Bay and Kingston, Jamaica.
If anything does happen, make sure you make a police report. You’ll need it to make a claim.
Even if you’ve booked all your hotels and excursions, it’s smart to plan for the unpredictable. Things happen that can cancel, interrupt, or delay your trip so it’s important to find an insurance plan that covers trip cancelation and delays.
Natural disasters are a real possibility in the Caribbean, which is located in the Atlantic Hurricane Belt and at risk for hurricanes from June to December. Many Caribbean countries are also on active fault lines, meaning earthquakes are also a possibility. If an unforeseen hurricane sweeps through Antigua before your trip making it impossible to reach your destination, your travel insurance for the Caribbean could help you be reimbursed for non-refundable tours and hotel accommodations that you paid for in advance. World Nomads insurance plans may also help you out if a storm makes your accommodation uninhabitable. It’s important to note though that travel insurance is for unexpected events; to be covered, you must have purchased your plan before the storm was known about or named.
If you’re already on your trip and something happens, travel insurance can also help you out. For example, you may need to go back to the United States early if an immediate family member back home has an unexpected medical emergency. You may be eligible for reimbursement of expenses if your trip is interrupted.
The Explorer and Epic Plans cover several travel inconveniences that may arise during your Caribbean vacation if you purchased during the time sensitive period. You might be on a cruise around the Caribbean Islands and your port call at the Cayman Islands gets canceled due to a storm. World Nomads travel insurance may compensate you for this inconvenience.
The Caribbean Islands are known for their laid-back, friendly vibes and are well-accustomed to travelers. Like any international destination, though, there are things to look out for.
Before you leave head off on your adventure, we encourage you to check out the US government’s travel warnings for each country you plan to visit. Weather, safety, and political situations can change at any time, and this is where they list any current advisories.
The Caribbean is famed for its natural beauty and it’s important to do our part as travelers to help preserve its sea, national parks, and abundant environment. Explore environmentally friendly excursions, like these eco-adventures on Dominica. You may also want to check out our tips on how to travel responsibly in the Caribbean and some tips for eco-conscious travelers.
A long history of trade and movement of people, food, and goods through these islands has created a vibrant, multicultural region. French, English, Spanish, and Creole are among the languages spoken across the islands. Read up on some of the region’s dynamic history before you head off—and don’t forget to kick back and enjoy!
*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.Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
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Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.