Travel Insurance for South America
Learn more about World Nomads travel insurance for your trip across South America.
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South America is home to some of humanity’s oldest treasures as the home of the ancient Incans and Aztecs. But it offers much more than ancient wonders, with a rich tapestry of destinations and promise of adventure from the legendary Galapagos islands and beaches of Valparaiso.
Travel insurance can be the safety net that helps when things don’t go to plan while traversing this spectacular continent, with a 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team available and travel insurance benefits.
Travel Insurance can offer cover for:
- Adventure sports and activities – exclusions apply
- 24/7 Emergency assistance
- Overseas medical insurance and cover for Coronavirus-related events
- Lost, stolen or delayed baggage cover
What’s covered?
When traveling through South America World Nomads offers two travel insurance plans, the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan.
Both plans offer cover for things such as lost baggage and emergency medical evacuation, however, the Explorer Plan offers higher benefit limits and cover for a wider range of activities. If you know you’re planning to tackle some adventure sports, check our list of activities to decide which travel insurance policy best suits your needs.
If your checked-in bags are delayed by 12 hours or more, you may be able to buy some essentials to last until your bags are returned and claim those costs against your insurance policy. These essentials will include a t-shirt, underwear, socks, toiletries, and/or pajamas. They do not include designer clothes or glamorous evening wear. Make sure to review your benefit limits for baggage delay.
South America offers adventures galore, but if you’re planning to go white-water rafting on the Mendoza River or glacier walking on the Perito Moreno Glacier and an accident happens, travel insurance could help with reimbursement of medical expenses or the cost of evacuation should a physician advise it’s necessary.
What should I look out for when traveling to South America?
Getting away from the gringo trail (the tourist hotspots) and discovering a more authentic South America will make for holiday memories that stay with you long after you return State-side.
Whether you visit Chile’s Marble Caves, explore Lamas Castle in Peru, or take in the stunning Hill of Seven Colors in Purmamarca, (locally called the Hill of Seven Skirts), South America has an array of experiences for the adventurous traveler.
However, whenever you leave the US to travel overseas there are risks and travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything so understanding what your policy covers you for is important. Make sure your valuables are safe and kept on you at all times, particularly while traveling on public transport. Pickpockets and thieves operate in many areas throughout South America so taking all reasonable precautions to keep your belongings safe will help with any claim if theft happens to you.
Also, unfortunately, armed robbery can be a risk. Stick to well-lit areas at all times and avoid traveling alone. But if the unthinkable happens, your life and your safety is paramount so don’t try to save your wallet if it means risking your life. Your things can be replaced, but you can’t.
- Cover for activities and sports when in South America
Hiking to Choquequirao through the cloud forest above the Apurimac River is a glorious way to explore Incan civilisations, but you’ll need to know the height of your hiking trail to make sure you’re covered by the right policy – up to 19,685 feet is covered by the Standard Plan but up to 22,965 feet requires the Explorer Plan.
It’s advisable that you plan the sports and activities that you’re doing and then check the list of covered activities to see if you need the Standard Plan or the Explorer Plan.
If you’re injured and require medical evacuation, or even repatriation back to the US, a physician must certify that emergency evacuation is necessary before cover will kick in. - Access to our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team around the clock
US residents have access to Generali Global Assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year from anywhere in the world.
When you call (call collect from anywhere in the world), make sure you have your policy number and a contact number for where you are so we can help. - Overseas medical insurance and cover for Coronavirus-related events
There’s no denying that the way we travel has changed following the impact of coronavirus. It may be helpful to know that World Nomads emergency medical travel insurance offers cover for things such as unexpected sickness that prevents you from beginning or continuing your trip, helping with pre-paid non-refundable trip costs. You can read more about coverage for Coronavirus related events. - Lost, stolen or delayed baggage cover
Overseas travel can bring all kinds of unexpected surprises and traveling to South America is no different – the sheer deliciousness of a street vendor’s pao de queijo (cheese bread), the kindness of a helpful stranger, the beauty of a beach sunrise. These are the moments you will remember. But it’s important to be prepared for everything – the theft of your wallet and passport while you sleep, your rental car being damaged or stolen while you hike an Incan trail, or the garden variety luggage being lost by your airline carrier. World Nomads travel insurance offers cover for many of life’s unexpected and unwelcome surprises.
A few tips that will help you include making sure you make a police report as soon as you discover the theft. Without a report the insurance claim can’t be considered. Also, make sure you keep receipts for everything to help with your claim.
What’s not covered?
Understanding what’s not covered is just as important as knowing what your insurance does cover you for. Things that won’t be covered by travel insurance include:
- Lost baggage without a loss or theft report
- Prescribed medications
- Gear that was stolen from an unattended car (even if it was locked)
- Medical evacuation or repatriation for any incidents related to drug and alcohol abuse, or that is not pre-authorized by a physician
- Medical costs related to a pre-existing condition
- Not having visas or passports issued on time or properly fulfilling the entry requirements of your destination.
- Fear of travel – you’re not feeling secure about a situation developing in the destination where you’re booked.
- Travel restrictions at your trip destination or warnings issued by the US Department of State.
If you’ve any questions, or are unsure if something is covered, please contact us for more information.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Standard Plan: $2,500
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.
- Explorer Plan: $100,000
- Standard 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.
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Standard Plan: $300,000
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.
- Explorer Plan: $3,000
- Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
- Passport stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense
- Repatriation of Remains
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Baggage & Personal Effects
- Baggage Delay (outward journey only)
- Rental Car Damage – where permissible
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment
- Generali Global Assistance 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Generali Global Assistance Non-Medical Emergency Transportation Services
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
Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.
Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.
In partnership with: tripmate
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.