Travel insurance for the Middle East

Depending on your travel plans, needs and budget, you can get travel insurance for a number of countries in the Middle East. However, if you decide to travel against the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) recommendations, you may not be covered for any claims you make.

DFAT’s Smartraveller website contains up-to-date travel warnings for countries around the world, as well as information about that country and advice if you’re travelling there, such as:

• Health concerns
• Laws and customs
• Dangerous areas and crime
• Other useful travel tips.

If a travel warning is put in place after you get travel insurance for a country in the Middle East, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you may be covered for cancellations.

The terms and conditions around trip cancellations may vary significantly between insurers. It’s vital to check the level of coverage a travel insurer may provide for a country if an active travel warning arises. You can find out more by reading the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) provided by your insurer. Read the Target Market Determination (TMD) to check whether a policy matches your circumstances.

While the Middle East isn’t the most popular travel destination for Australians, it’s still home to a number of incredible sights and experiences that attract many travellers each year, such as being home to the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.

It has many well-travelled destinations such as UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye (Turkey), not to mention that many travellers stopover in Dubai’s airport on their way to other destinations.

Imagine you’re visiting Istanbul, and you trip and roll your ankle and need medical attention. While it’s unpleasant to think about, events like this could potentially derail your trip and leave you with a large medical bill.

Australia doesn’t have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with any countries in the Middle East,¹ so any medical expenses have to be paid from your own pocket.

Having a travel insurance plan can help cover hospital expenses and medical costs, including evacuation or repatriation back to Australia if necessary (which can be very expensive). Your medical care may even include injuries that occur during a hijacking or terrorism incident.

Cover for medical expenses and 24/7 emergency assistance is essential for any holiday and is often included in all levels of travel insurance.

While you may get a refund if your flight or accommodation is cancelled, you can still lose deposits or even the full amount you paid for other bookings. Whether your camel riding experience or your entire Middle Eastern adventure is in jeopardy, travel insurance can provide cover for cancellation costs that are out of your control.

From your clothing, camera and personal devices to travel documents and passports, travel insurance can cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen goods up to a set value.

This can also cover luggage lost in transit or credit cards and cash stolen by crafty pickpockets while you’re shopping in Cairo’s Khan el-Khalili bazaar. The level of cover you receive, and what you’re covered for, will vary among insurers. It’s important to read the fine print of any policy you’re considering purchasing before you buy travel insurance for the Middle East.

There are a number of exciting adventure activities awaiting you in the Middle East. But before sandboarding down the dunes of Dubai or snorkelling around the Daymaniyat Islands in Oman, check that you’re covered. Some policies cover adventure activities automatically, but others may require you to purchase it as an optional extra for an additional premium.

Without adventure cover, you may not be covered for any injuries that happen while participating in these activities, or for lost deposits if your pre-booked plans get cancelled due to an unforeseen event.