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Travel Insurance for Nepal

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

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, updated on September 4th, 2023       

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Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in 30 Seconds

Whether you’re wanting to visit the ancient temples and shrines in Kathmandu or climb Mount Everest, it’s always important to have peace of mind when you’re travelling to Nepal. 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 Nepal?

You don’t necessarily ‘need’ travel insurance if you’re taking a trip to Nepal. However, it’s strongly recommended that you purchase a policy before you jet off on your holiday, whether you’re planning to take a stroll around the Chandragiri Hills or take a boat ride up Fewa Lake.

Nepal’s cities are bursting with history, temples, unique villages and the odd golden pagoda. However, there are also perils to look out for, so it’s paramount you compare with Savvy and get the right travel insurance before you leave.

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

  • Terrorism: bombings and acts of terrorism regularly occur in many of Nepal’s cities including Kathmandu, with these worsening during times of political upheaval. Multiple minor explosions occurred in Nepal between 2020 and 2021 and several explosive devices have been discovered in different parts of Nepal more recently. Unexploded munitions and landmines pose a threat in some regions, particularly on popular hiking trails. If you want to go about safely, listen to the advice of local officials and stick to well-travelled trails and highways.
  • Demonstrations: while Nepal is making strides towards a more stable democracy, the country's political situation is still precarious and tensions might flare up at any time.
  • Petty theft: pickpocketing is rife in Nepalese cities, especially around tourist attractions, on buses and in hotels. Kupandol, Sanepa, and Thamel are all famous tourist destinations in Kathmandu, but you should be aware that they are also some of the most frequent targets for pickpockets.
  • Public transport: accidents involving buses are common and can result in serious injuries or even death because of the vehicle's poor condition. In general, you shouldn’t use night-time buses. Buses carrying tourists are typically considered to be safe.
  • Boating accidents: overloading and a lack of maintenance on boats is a leading cause of accidents on the water.
  • Natural disasters: natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides and floods are common in Nepal. It’s important to be prepared for a catastrophic event. Always have a supply of bottled water and first aid materials on hand.

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

Depending on the policy and level of protection, travel insurance can help if you become ill or injured while travelling, lose your things, or suffer airline cancellations or delays. Some travel insurance benefits are:

  1. Overseas medical bills: having travel insurance can be a lifesaver if you’re struck down with an illness or injure yourself and require medical attention while in Nepal. The country’s public hospitals are fairly basic, and while some clinics in Kathmandu operate to a high standard, the costs can be eye-watering.
  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 mobile phone or laptop on your overseas or domestic getaway? Many insurance plans offer sub-limits for lost, damaged, or stolen property.
  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. Most insurers have limits on how much you can claim if your travel arrangements are delayed, such as $200 per day. 
  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: bungee jumping over the Bhotekoshi river or mountaineering across some of Nepal’s highest summits? 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 Nepal?

It might be difficult to figure out which policy provides the most beneficial coverage for your next trip to South Asia. 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 Nepal, 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 Nepal but also taking a holiday to Malta 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 Nepal

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 jet ski off Ancon Beach or skydive over Old Havana, 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 Nepal, 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?

Top tips for saving on your travel insurance to Nepal

Combine policies

You can get group policies from providers covering you and your partner, your extended family, and even your 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 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 Nepal

Does travel insurance for Nepal 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 Nepal 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 Nepal 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 Nepal?

Yes – you can buy travel insurance if you’re already wheels up and headed to Nepal for your holiday. 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 Nepal?

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. In most cases, you won’t be able to get instant cover, as most policies have waiting periods of at least 72 hours.

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

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 Nepal cost?

The cost of your travel insurance to Nepal 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 Nepal you’re travelling to (for example, you may not be able to receive cover if you’re travelling somewhere experiencing a natural disaster 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.

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