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Since you need travel insurance for Cuba, it can be important to choose the best travel insurance policy for your needs. Our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor, has some tips.
Sometimes one country just isn’t enough! If you’re planning on travelling across North America through Mexico and the USA, or heading down to South America, it’s important to list each country on your travel insurance application. While other countries may not require travel insurance like Cuba, the out-of-pocket costs for medical treatment or lost luggage can still make it a worthwhile investment.
Consider searching your options before leaving for Cuba for a policy that covers pre-existing medical conditions. If you don’t declare your conditions, you might not be covered for your pre-existing conditions, meaning any claims relating to your conditions may have to be paid out-of-pocket. Declare your conditions to your insurer so they can assess your circumstances and whether they can offer you cover – though this may cost an additional premium.
Since travel insurance for Cuba is mandatory, it may be worth comparing your options to find a policy that suits your needs and budget. You can also choose between single trip and annual multi-trip policies, depending on how often you travel to Cuba or other international destinations. Using our travel insurance comparison tool, you can compare policies and prices in just minutes!
Unlike when travelling to most destinations, Australians are required to have travel insurance to allow them to enter Cuba. Your travel insurance will typically, at a minimum, need to include medical coverage, with cover for medical evacuations and repatriation.1 Travel insurance can also cover cancellation costs and stolen or damaged luggage.
If you don’t get travel insurance, or your travel insurance isn’t considered adequate by the Cuban ‘government, you’ll need to purchase travel insurance provided by the Cuban government once you arrive to be allowed entry.1
To enter Cuba, you’ll also need a visa. You can get a ‘tourist card’ for tourism trips under a certain number of days through the Cuban embassy or consulate.
Since you won’t be covered by your private medical insurance while overseas, and Cuba does not have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia, you would need to pay for medical costs out of pocket unless you have travel insurance. If you have a medical emergency overseas, your comprehensive travel insurance company may offer medical cover for:
Specific inclusions and limits can vary between insurers and your level of cover. That’s why you should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before departing to the Caribbean to understand the full details of your policy. Read the Target Market Determination (TMD) to check whether a policy is suitable to your needs.
Similar to all overseas destinations, the inclusions in your policy will depend on your level of cover and which insurer you choose. Many medical-only policies will cover medical treatment, medical evacuations, legal liability and 24/7 emergency assistance. But a comprehensive policy may include a number of additional benefits such as:
Check the PDS and TMD to find out the specifics of what your travel insurance covers and whether the product is suitable.
There are a number of exclusions that come with any travel insurance policy and they can vary between insurers and the level of cover you choose.
A few common exclusions to watch out for can be:
Read the PDS for the full list of exclusions for your policy.
Cuba can be safe and fun location for your next holiday, but there are a few things to consider before departing on your trip:
As the Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor believes in educating customers about the importance of travel insurance so that anyone can kick back and make the most of their time away from home. While no one wants a disrupted holiday, a suitable travel insurance policy can provide a financial safety net for yourself, your belongings and your trip in case things go wrong.
1 Smartraveller – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Cuba. Current as of September 2024. Accessed September 2024.