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Travel Insurance for Pakistan

Travelling to Pakistan 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 witness the historic sites of Lahore or soak up the striking natural wonders of Islamabad, it’s always important to have peace of mind when you’re travelling to Pakistan. 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.

*Note: as of December 2022, the ongoing threat of terrorism and violence, as well as the complicated border security situation, will make accessing travel insurance difficult for a trip to Pakistan. The Federal Government has advised potential travellers to reconsider any trips to the region.

Do I need travel insurance for a holiday to Pakistan?

You don’t necessarily ‘need’ travel insurance if you’re taking a trip to Pakistan. However, it’s strongly recommended that you purchase a policy before you jet off on your international holiday, whether you’re planning to make the most of the beautiful weather or take a visit to the Badshahai Mosque or the Shah Faisal Masjid.

The meadows, valleys, lakes and mountains of Pakistan combine to create a setting that is nothing short of magnificent. However, there are plenty of 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 its culture has to offer, some of the incidentals to watch for include:

  • Crime: all around Pakistan, people are victims of violent crimes such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, and abduction. Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have a high rate of abduction. If you decide to travel to these places despite the warnings, get advice about how to do it safely. If you absolutely must visit the Chitral district or the Gilgit Baltistan region, it’s strongly recommended to take a commercial flight instead of driving there.
  • Terrorism: Pakistan is home to a variety of terrorist organisations which target Westerners, especially tourists. Don't go to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa or Balochistan (except the Chitral district), as the risk is greatest there. Be wary when venturing to other regions of Pakistan and stay away from potential ambush locations. You should always be prepared to flee a dangerous situation.
  • Protests: Protests centred around religion and politics can often escalate into violence. Karachi has a high rate of political, sectarian and gang-related violence. Make sure you stay out of large crowds, stay indoors and out of harm's way if you do find yourself in the middle of a demonstration.
  • Border tensions: There is a great deal of civil unrest along Pakistan’s shared border with Afghanistan. Except at official crossings, foreigners are prohibited from coming within 50km of the Afghanistan border in Gilgit Baltistan or 15km of the Kashmir Line of Control. Move away from the border if you are in a border town.
  • Natural disasters: earthquakes and tremors occur often across Pakistan, resulting in flooding, landslides and tsunamis. Pakistan also has a history of declaring national emergencies due to devastating floods caused by the monsoon rains. Roads and bridges, among other infrastructure, have been severely damaged and many people have been killed. During the monsoon, there may be an increase in the likelihood of contracting certain diseases (July to September). Listen to authorities if you find yourself in a natural disaster situation.
  • Diseases: authorities recommend you only drink boiled or bottled water if you’re planning a trip to Pakistan due to a high prevalence of waterborne and foodborne diseases. Illnesses such as typhoid, cholera, polio and malaria are rife across smaller cities and regional areas. It’s also a good idea to make sure your vaccinations are up to date before you depart for your trip.

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

One of the reasons you need travel insurance is to protect you if you become ill or injured while travelling, lose your things, or suffer airline cancellations or delays. Most comprehensive travel insurance policies offer much of the following coverage:

  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 Pakistan. Many hospitals are of a high standard but may ask for an upfront payment, so it's a good idea 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: skiing or snowboarding in some of Pakistan’s ski resorts or riding through the streets of Islamabad on a motorcycle? 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, such as mental illness
  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 Pakistan?

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 60 and planning a trip to Pakistan, 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 Pakistan but also taking a holiday to India 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 Pakistan

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 rock climb in the Karakorum ranges or go scuba diving off the coast of Karachi, 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. For example, some may allow you to claim up to $7,500 if you suffer an overseas dental emergency, while other providers will only let you claim $5,000.

Inclusions and exclusions

When searching for the best international policy for your trip to Pakistan, 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

International

International travel insurance can offer cover for a range of events, including medical expenses, lost luggage or items, cancellation fees and more when you're overseas and a long way from home.

Domestic

If you're journeying within Australia, domestic policies are designed to offer many of the same protections as international travel insurance (with the exception of medical expenses).

Single trip

The most standard and common type of travel insurance, this policy can cover you for one trip starting and ending in Australia (and is available for both international and domestic travel).

Annual multi-trip

As the name suggests, this type of travel insurance covers multiple trips over a 12-month period. Depending on your insurer, you may be able to take an unlimited number of trips up to 90 days each.

One-way

You don't have to have a return ticket booked to take out cover while you're overseas. One-way travel insurance enables you to access cover without a set end date, such as if you're moving temporarily.

Cruise

You may need to take out specialist coverage if you're setting sail on a cruise. Fortunately, cruise insurance can cover emergency evacuation, cabin confinement and more.

Seniors

Just because you're older doesn't mean travel insurance isn't still important. If you qualify for cover, seniors' travel insurance can offer greater peace of mind for included events while you're travelling.

Ski

Adding winter sports or ski cover to your policy can add protection against damage to your equipment, piste closure due to bad weather and activities such as back-country skiing, heliskiing and more.

Adventure sports

Looking to enjoy some adventure sports on holiday? An adventure sports pack can grant you cover for a range of activities, such as hiking, scuba diving and motorcycle or scooter riding.

Families

Jetsetting with the whole clan in tow? Some insurers offer family travel insurance, which enables you to include yourself, your partner and your dependent children under one policy to help you save.

Couples

If you're travelling interstate or overseas with your partner (or simply another friend or family member), you may be able to access a discount by taking out a joint or duo travel insurance policy.

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

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Top tips for saving on your travel insurance to Pakistan

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 Pakistan

Does travel insurance for Pakistan 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 Pakistan 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 Pakistan 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 Pakistan?

Yes – you can buy travel insurance if you’re already wheels up and headed to Pakistan 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 Pakistan?

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 Pakistan?

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 Pakistan cost?

The cost of your travel insurance to Pakistan 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 Pakistan you’re travelling to (for example, you may not be able to receive cover if you’re travelling somewhere experiencing a natural disaster or a terrorism event)

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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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Sign up to our newsletter

Disclaimer and important things you should know

Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.

We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.

For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.

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