Travel insurance for Cuba

Cuba is a beautiful country, with a lot to learn, photograph and explore. While the country is safer than you might expect, it’s still a good idea to pick up a comprehensive travel insurance policy before you leave to keep you and your bank account safe from any mishaps on your Cuban adventure.

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Name	Product	Trip Cancellation	Emergency Medical Expenses	Baggage Coverage	Trip Delay
Atlas Travel by Tokio Marine		0%	$2,000,000	$1,000	$100	Customizable policy that balances basic essentials with premium coverage.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Atlas Group Insurance by Tokio Marine		0%	$2,000,000	$1,000	$100	Customizable policy designed for families, student organizations and groups of five or more people.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
RoamRight Essential Travel Insurance Plan		100%	$15,000	$750	$500	Basic policy with coverage that includes trip cancellation insurance, tourist health insurance and baggage insurance.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
RoamRight Multi-Trip Annual Insurance for Trip Cancellation		100%	$25,000	$1,000	$1,000	Bare-bones policy designed for those who want trip cancellation coverage and limited medical protection.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
AXA Assistance Silver Plan		100%	$25,000	$750	$500	Basic travel protection with lower amounts of coverage. No option to cancel for any reason.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Travel Guard Silver		100%	$15,000	$750	$500	Budget-friendly coverage with basic travel protections that include trip cancellation and trip interruption.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Can I travel from the United States to Cuba?

In early 2015, President Obama relaxed a strict trade embargo that the US had in place against Cuba for more than five decades. As well as affecting commerce and financial dealings between the US and Cuba, this change also relaxed the travel restrictions for Americans who want to visit the country. While you still can’t visit Cuba for purely recreational reasons in 2018, there are 12 types of travel to the country that are currently permitted for Americans, including family visits, professional research, journalism assignments, public performance, religious activities and educational reasons.

Restrictions on Americans in Cuba

While Americans can now visit Cuba, they are prohibited from interacting financially with entities under the control of the Cuban military or intelligence services. There is a list of prohibited companies available, which includes 27 hotels and a number of shops in Havana and Old Havana at the time of writing.

Do I need travel insurance for Cuba?

The Cuban government requires visitors to purchase medical insurance in order to gain entry into the country. Basic medical insurance is usually included in plane ticket prices if you’re traveling from the US, but the US Department of State recommends that you add additional coverage for medical evacuation in case you become ill and don’t have access to the medical care you need. Keep in mind that even with supplemental insurance, you’ll most likely have to pay any costs not covered by your Cuban provider up front and seek reimbursement from your insurer later — it’s often difficult or impossible for US insurers to pay Cuban hospitals or companies directly.

Aside from medical coverage, you can also get travel insurance for:

• Delays. If your flight is delayed, your insurer can reimburse you for additional accommodations or lost deposits and cancellation fees if you miss a scheduled event.
• Cancellations. If your trip is canceled due to unforeseen events, your insurer can reimburse you for your plane ticket plus any deposits or cancellation fees.
• Lost or stolen luggage. If the airport loses your luggage or your camera gets snatched on your way to the hotel, your insurer can reimburse you.Back to top

What doesn’t travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance exclusions vary from policy to policy, and it’s a good idea to read the fine print carefully before you leave. Common exclusions include:

• Inebriation. If you injure yourself or someone else while drunk or on drugs not prescribed by a doctor, your insurer can deny your claim.
• Ignoring local laws. If you break local laws, your insurer can refuse to pay out. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with local laws before you leave home, as Cuba has some restrictions you might not expect. For example, you aren’t allowed to take pictures of military personnel.
• Acting recklessly or irresponsibly. If you act in a way that an insurer could argue was reckless or irresponsible, they have the right to deny your claim.

Risks of traveling to Cuba

While Cuba is a generally safe country to visit, like any new destination, it does have risks:

• Theft. Keep a close eye on your luggage at the airport at all times and avoid packing any highly valuable items in your checked baggage. Make sure your passport and travel documents are secure at all times, don’t wear expensive jewelry or unnecessarily advertise your wealth and avoid unlicensed taxis.
• Poor road conditions. Cuban roads can be quite dangerous. Signage is poor, roads are often in bad condition and you’ll be sharing the road with pedestrians, bicycles and even horse-drawn carts.
• Food poisoning from street food. Due to lack of proper hygiene laws for vendors, street food can be unsafe for tourists.
• Bugs. Ticks, fleas and mosquitoes can carry a number of diseases in Cuba. Wear long sleeves, use insect repellent and reconsider traveling to Cuba if you’re pregnant — cases of Zika have been reported.

Who should I contact in an emergency?

• Your insurer. Your insurer should have a 24/7 helpline available and clearly displayed on your policy.
• Cuban emergency number. The number for police, fire and medical emergencies in Cuba is 106.
• US embassy. If you run into legal trouble, lose your passport or if there’s a countrywide emergency, contact the US embassy.

Travel tips for Cuba

• There are two currencies in Cuba. The CUC (Cuban convertible peso) is commonly used by tourists, and the CUP (Cuban peso) is used more often by locals. Be wary of paying for goods with one currency and receiving change in the other currency — the CUC is significantly more valuable.
• Carry cash. US credit and debit cards are rarely accepted in Cuba.
• Take pictures and carry receipts. There are strict regulations in place for US citizens visiting Cuba. Make sure to keep receipts and take pictures showing that you stuck to your stated reason for visiting.
• Check for updates before you leave. Regulations on US citizens visiting Cuba are volatile and change regularly. It’s a good idea to check for updates both before you book your trip and before you leave.
• Bring paper maps. Your cell phone probably won’t work in Cuba, so it’s a good idea to bring paper maps of anywhere you might visit.

Bottom line

Airline loses your luggage? Street food didn’t get along with your stomach? Even with caution and a safe destination, there’s always a chance that something will go wrong while you’re traveling abroad. A travel insurance policy will have your back if there’s a bump in the road so you can relax and enjoy your trip carefree.

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FAQs

• Can I bring cigars back from Cuba?

  Yes. As of October 17, 2016, US citizens can bring up to $400 worth of goods back from Cuba, including up to $100 in tobacco or alcohol.

• Do I need to tip in Cuba?

  Yes. Tipping is common practice in Cuba, although tips are often a bit lower than they are in the US. Tip 10% of the bill at restaurants, and keep some singles on hand (in CUCs) for maids, bellhops and bathroom attendants.

• Should I be concerned about sonic attacks?

  Probably not. There have been reports of US diplomats experiencing “sonic attacks” that cause headaches, tiredness, hearing loss and dizziness. According to the US Department of State, the embassy is still operating at a reduced level and tourists are advised to avoid Hotel Nacional and Hotel Capri in Havana, though the frequency of these incidents has lessened and tourists do not appear to be the main targets.

• When is hurricane season?

  As Cuba is in the Caribbean, don’t forget the fact that it does sometimes get hit by hurricanes. Hurricane season runs from June to November and while this shouldn’t stop you from traveling to Cuba, it’s always good to be informed and prepared in advance. Keep in mind that if you schedule a trip to Cuba when there’s a predicted hurricane and then decide to cancel, your insurer can refuse to pay out, so check the weather forecast before booking a flight.

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