Cuba – New Requirement re Travel Insurance

Effective 1 May 2010, it is a requirement for travellers to Cuba to have travel insurance in place – per the Cuban government.  

Most important:  The travel insurance must provide cover for medical evacuation by air and be valid for the duration of your stay.  

Arriving in the country without proper, valid travel insurance could pose a problem.  In exceptional cases you may be able to purchase insurance from a Cuban company (which may be more expensive and not as comprehensive as a policy from home).  The new rule applies to Cubans living abroad and to overseas visitors.

Upon arrival in Cuba visitors will need to produce a detailed copy of their travel insurance policy which should clearly show that it covers the duration of the stay and includes medical care and medical evacuation by air.  Travellers heading for Cuba may wish to check their policy or call their insurer for clarification. 

Visit our Travel Guide to Cuba and follow the link for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) for updated and very important information about visiting Cuba, including visa and passport requirements (i.e. passports must be valid for six months following your departure from Cuba).  Also, travel kettles and irons may be confiscated upon entry, so do some research before you go! 

There are no FCO restrictions against travel in place, at the time of writing, but it is wise to check before booking a trip in case the situation changes.

According to the FCO there are adequate medical facilities in the captial, Havana, but elsewhere on the island medical evacuation may be necessary.  Medical care and evacuation by air is expensive.  Without proper travel insurance visitors have to pay in cash for their treatment, which could cost approx. £200 per day for the hospital stay, plus medical treatment and/or evacuation.

Some medicines may be unavailable in Cuba, so take a good supply of your prescription meds, as well as a letter from your doctor and copy of the prescription. 

Regarding travel money, the FCO also advises to check with your bank to make sure that your credit or debit cards will work there.  Note that U.S. Dollars are not accepted as payment and there is a commission to exchange them.

Flickr cc Image:  hoyasmeg