Travel Insurance for Colombia

Travelling to Colombia for a much-needed getaway? Compare your travel insurance options with Savvy.

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, updated on September 5th, 2023       

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Whether you’re wanting to see the colourful sights of Cartagena or stroll the white, sandy beaches of Santa Marta, it’s always important to have peace of mind when you’re travelling to Colombia. If you’re searching for the right travel insurance cover for your next international journey, Savvy can point you in the right direction.

By comparing with us, you can find a policy which offers you the right protection, whether your flights are delayed, your luggage goes missing or you fall ill while overseas. We provide instant quotes from our partners, so you can consider their pros and cons and compare the cost of each policy. Before you take off overseas, compare your travel insurance options with Savvy today.

Do I need travel insurance for a holiday to Colombia?

You don’t necessarily ‘need’ travel insurance if you’re taking a trip to Colombia. However, it’s strongly recommended that you purchase a policy before you jet off on your international holiday, whether you’re planning to salsa dance your holiday away in Cali or take a stroll through the Tayrona National Park.

Taking a holiday to Colombia can be the perfect fusion of South American culture, old-world charm and modern living. However, there are still dangers for tourists and visitors to look out for, so it’s paramount you compare with Savvy and get the right travel insurance before leaving.

If you’re eager to experience all of what Colombia has to offer, some of the incidentals to watch for include:

  • Crime: the country’s major cities have high crime rates. Even in Colombia's safest neighbourhoods, muggings and attacks occur. Violence may erupt and Colombians are often armed. On the streets, in buses, taxis, restaurants, and malls, armed robberies are common.
  • Terrorism: domestic terrorism is a clear and present danger and, in certain areas, terrorist organisations are very active. The possibility of future attacks is high, including those targeting government buildings and tourism destinations.
  • Diseases: the incidence of yellow fever is high, so make sure you get the necessary vaccinations to prevent potential health issues. It should also be noted that Zika virus is common, so talk to your doctor before taking a trip if you're expecting. Below 800 metres, malaria is also a concern except in Bogotá. When visiting malaria-risk regions, it’s prudent to take preventative measures.
  • ‘Do Not Travel’ regions: there’s a slew of areas around Colombia, especially near the borders the country shares with Venezuela and Ecuador, which are unsafe to travel to due to illegal activity and drug-related crime.
  • Road safety: April to May and October to November are rainy seasons with dangerous driving conditions. Aggressive, irresponsible drivers are rife across Colombia. Drivers speed and regularly disregard traffic restrictions. Motorcycle accidents are also incredibly common.

What’s covered by my travel insurance for my holiday to Colombia?

Depending on the policy and level of protection you purchase with a broker or online, travel insurance can help if you become ill or injured while travelling, lose your things, or suffer airline cancellations or delays. Travel insurance can cover much of the following:

  1. Overseas medical bills: it’s a good idea to take out travel insurance in case you’re struck down with an illness or injure yourself and require medical attention while in Colombia. Hospitals in Bogotá and other cities are of a reasonable standard; however, you’ll need to pay for your treatment upfront, which is a good reason to take out travel insurance to save you the hassle and cost.
  2. Evacuation or repatriation: you may need medical evacuation to Australia if you are in a critical condition due to illness or injury. Luckily, your insurer can pay for your evacuation and repatriation, including if you need to disembark a cruise ship, which may cost up to $100,000 without insurance.
  3. Cancellation: many travel insurance carriers may refund pre-paid deposits on hotels, flights, or excursions if you cancel your trip due to a covered occurrence. Illness, injury, or a sick or dying family member are among the valid reasons for cancelling a trip.
  4. Lost, stolen or damaged bags: most insurance providers will compensate or replace lost, stolen, or damaged baggage up to an agreed claim amount, which can reach up to $15,000.
  5. Individual items: taking a phone or laptop on your overseas or domestic getaway? Many insurance plans offer sub-limits for lost, damaged, or stolen personal items.
  6. Travel delays: most travel insurance cover hotel, food, and other expenses if your flight is delayed longer than 24 hours. This includes delayed luggage owing to a delayed airliner. For example, some may allow you to claim $300 per day if your flight is delayed for more than 24 hours.
  7. Personal liability: legal issues abroad may be costly. If you're held directly accountable for damage or injury, your insurance company may pay up to $5 million.
  8. Accidental death: if you die overseas in a covered accident, your insurance company can repatriate your remains. They may pay up to $25,000 for funeral or cremation fees.
  9. Optional extras: scuba diving in the waters off Taganga or kayaking through San Gil? Most travel insurance plans don't cover these activities automatically but they do offer supplementary coverage for an added premium.

However, most travel insurance companies won’t cover you for the following incidentals:

  1. Unapproved pre-existing medical conditions
  2. Lost possessions left unattended
  3. Breaking local laws and road rules
  4. Accidents caused by drug or alcohol use
  5. Travelling to a country against Australian government advice
  6. Travelling for medical tourism

What factors should I consider before buying travel insurance for a trip to Colombia?

It might be difficult to figure out which policy provides the most beneficial coverage for your next trip to South America. However, by comparing with Savvy, you may be able to make the experience of searching for the perfect policy a whole lot easier.

Premium cost

It is, of course, in your best interest to keep your insurance premium costs to a minimum. To avoid overpaying for your travel insurance, it is crucial to shop around and get the best possible policy at a price that works for you. If you’re over 65 and planning a trip to Colombia, you’ll likely be paying a higher premium based on your age, so it will be worth shopping around to find the best seniors' travel insurance policy.

The type of policy you need

Numerous options exist for travel insurance, whether you're looking for single-trip, annual or one-way cover, so it’s important to consider your travel requirements. For example, if you’re travelling to Colombia but also taking a holiday to Brazil and other locales across the year, an annual policy may be more suited to you than single-trip. Take a look at your itinerary, think about how often you’ll be flying and compare it with Savvy so you can get the best insurance for your trip.

What you’re doing in Colombia

Carefully consider which insurance company provides the greatest value and level of protection if you’re looking to partake in high-risk pursuits before signing up. If you’re planning to paraglide over Bucaramanga or go ziplining through some of Colombia’s nature reserves, make sure you get a policy that covers you.

Claim limits

In most cases, the amount you may claim from your overseas travel insurance policy will be capped. Check if these limits are enough for your trip and the items you want to take with you by doing a side-by-side comparison of several brands with Savvy.

Inclusions and exclusions

When searching for the best international policy for your trip to Colombia, make sure you opt for a policy that best suits your needs. Before settling on one choice, do your homework and weigh what's included and what isn't. For example, a pre-existing condition you suffer from may not be automatically included under one policy, while it could be covered by a competitor.

Types of travel insurance

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

Why compare hotels with Savvy?

Top tips for saving on your travel insurance to Colombia

Combine policies

You can get group policies from providers covering you and your partner, your extended family, and even your children or grandchildren. Most providers allow you to include up to 25 people under the same policies, which, if the costs are divided among the travellers, can save you money.

Consider increasing your excess

You can pay less for your travel insurance by increasing the excess you're willing to pay if you need to file a claim. A higher excess can help you save money in the long term, but it shouldn't be so high that it causes you financial hardship to pay it.

Only pay for what you need

There's no point paying for cover you're not going to use on your holiday. Before you purchase a policy, read the PDS and make sure you aren’t paying extra for add-ons such as rental car hire or cruise coverage if you don't have any intentions of either hiring a car or sailing across the seas.

Compare your travel insurance options

Using Savvy to help you decide lets you easily see which provider gives you the best travel insurance coverage for the lowest price. You can compare policies side by side so you can weigh what's included, what's not included, the price of your premium, and any other essential factors.

Frequently asked questions about travel insurance for Colombia

Does travel insurance for Colombia cover me for COVID-19-related costs?

Yes – most travel insurance policies cover any COVID-19-related expenses, such as medical treatment while you’re in Colombia and the need to cancel your holiday if you test positive before you leave. However, cancellation due to COVID-19 isn’t usually available on basic policies. The risk of testing positive for COVID-19 is still quite high if you’re travelling to Colombia as of September 2022, so it’s best to wear a mask when possible if you’re worried about contracting the disease.

Can I take out travel insurance if I’m already in Colombia?

Yes – you can buy travel insurance if you’re already wheels up and headed to Colombia for your holiday through a broker or online. You won’t need much to take out travel insurance, only the details of your trip and some other important information. You’ll be afforded the exact coverage you would usually get if you purchased before departure. However, these policies have waiting periods of between 48 and 96 hours. This means that if you suffer a claimable incident inside this period, you won’t be able to make a claim.

When is the best time to buy travel insurance for Colombia?

Most people in the know will tell you the best time to purchase your travel insurance is when you know your travel dates. That allows you to be covered for the maximum amount of pre-paid bookings, such as those for hotels or tours if something unforeseen happens and you need to call off your holiday. There are also often sales on around holiday periods, such as Easter, Christmas and the End of the Financial Year, which means you could snap up a policy at a discount.

How do I make a claim on my travel insurance if I’m in Colombia?

When you do it online, claiming on your travel insurance is a pretty easy process. When you go to your insurance company's website, enter your policy number and the email address that goes with it. From there, you can do the following:

  • Fill out your claim form with plenty of detail
  • Attach any documents, such as receipts, medical evidence, or proof of purchase
  • Submit your claim

 
The majority of the time, you should hear back from your insurance company within about ten business days. It's best to quickly answer any requests for more information to avoid slowing down the process.

How much will my travel insurance to Colombia cost?

The cost of your travel insurance to Colombia will be determined by a range of interchangeable variables, including:

  • Your age
  • The length of your trip and destinations
  • Whether you suffer any pre-existing conditions
  • If you need optional extras, such as adventure sports cover
  • The insurer you’ve chosen
  • The level of cover you have purchased
  • What part of Colombia you’re travelling to (for example, you may not be able to receive cover if you’re travelling somewhere experiencing a terrorist attack or an outbreak of infectious disease)

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Disclaimer:
We do not compare all travel insurance brands currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and does not consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

Savvy earns a commission from our partners each time a customer buys a travel insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via their websites.

Before purchasing your policy, we recommend you refer to the provider’s PDS for any further information on the terms, inclusions and exclusions.