Travel insurance for the Middle East

What should my travel insurance for the Middle East include?

Travel insurance can give you peace of mind by providing financial support in the case of unexpected events. Different insurers will offer policies that can cover a variety of circumstances, so it’s vital to know what’s covered before embarking on your holiday.

To ensure you know what you’re purchasing, always read the PDS of any policy you’re considering for your trip. When travelling to the Middle East, you may want to check that your travel insurance includes coverage for the following.

Medical expenses and 24/7 assistance

Imagine you’re visiting Petra, Jerusalem or 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, so any medical expenses have to be paid from your own pocket.

Travel insurance 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.

Cancellation cover

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 cancellations that are out of your control.

Personal belongings

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 wallets 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 your trip.

Common travel exclusions to watch out for

Travel insurance can provide cover for a range of scenarios, but it won’t cover everything. Exclusions can differ between insurance providers, but some common ones may include:

• Terrorism and armed conflict. While you could be covered for medical expenses if you’re hurt in a terrorist attack or hijacking incident, you may not be covered for any lost, damaged or stolen belongings. Furthermore, travel insurers generally don’t cover any events relating to war, invasion, armed conflict or civil insurrection. While terrorism and armed conflict can happen anywhere, the risk is higher for several locations in the Middle East.
• Breaking the law or reckless behaviour. Laws in Middle Eastern countries may be more strict than Australian laws. If you break them or act recklessly, you’ll likely invalidate your travel policy, and your travel insurer won’t cover any claims.
• Failing to look after your belongings. Keep an eye on your belongings. While travel insurance can cover theft, if you’re careless and fail to secure your bag (by leaving it on the seat of a hire car, for example), you might not be covered.
• Travelling to a country with an active travel warning. As mentioned previously, travelling to a country with an active travel warning will likely invalidate your cover.
• Pandemics and epidemics. If you’re travelling to a country with a current pandemic or epidemic, or one occurs after you arrive, you’re not likely to be covered. However, some comprehensive policies now offer COVID-19 cover.

Our safety advice for travelling to the Middle East

1. Check Smartraveller for visa requirements

You’ll likely need a valid visa for every nation you plan on visiting in the Middle East. You can check Smartraveller’s guides for visa requirements, entry restrictions, updated travel warnings, safety information and advice.

2. Be aware of danger zones

It’s important to keep a lookout for possible threats. Be cautious in or around government buildings, national borders, military checkpoints, places of worship and high density areas such as markets, as these can all be targets for terrorist attacks.²

3. Plan your trip ahead

Planning your journey can help you prepare for activities and sights you want to see, but don’t forget to plan how you’ll get there too! This can be especially helpful if you plan on crossing international borders to visit other countries in the Middle East, as some countries may close specific borders due to military unrest.

4. Respect the local culture and laws

Depending on which countries you visit, you’ll encounter different laws and customs. In some places, public displays of affection, especially between unmarried couples and same-sex couples, can be frowned upon or even illegal.

Dressing modestly and covering certain areas of the body may also be a legal requirement in certain countries. Throughout the Middle East, it’s generally seen as respectful to avoid showing too much skin. Punishments for disobeying the law can be severe, so be sure to visit Smartraveller for advice on local laws in countries you plan on visiting in the Middle East.

5. Stay hydrated and sun-safe

While this might seem like a given in any travel destination, it’s especially important when travelling to the Middle East. Temperatures are known to reach over 50 degrees Celsius,³ so you can be at risk of heatstroke or heat exhaustion if you don’t keep yourself cool by drinking water and staying out of direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. You should also wear sunscreen to protect your skin from being burnt.