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Travel Insurance for Saudi Arabia

Travelling to Saudi Arabia 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 paying a visit to the country’s holiest city, taking part in some outdoor sightseeing or indulging in the local cuisine, it’s a good idea to take out travel insurance on your holiday to Saudi Arabia. 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 Saudi Arabia?

You don't necessarily ‘need' travel insurance if you're taking a holiday to Saudi Arabia. However, it's strongly recommended that you purchase a policy before you jet off on your next Middle Eastern holiday, whether you want to witness the Kaaba at the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca or soak up the views atop the Kingdom Centre’s observation deck.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an amazing fusion of breathtaking landscapes, rich culture and untamed terrains. However, there are still dangers for tourists and visitors to look out for, so it's paramount you compare with Savvy and get the best travel insurance before leaving.

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

  • Border tensions: the region near the border with Yemen is particularly dangerous, with Houthi militias commonly launching rockets and mortars at Saudi cities near the border in retaliation for its involvement in the Yemen war. If you do travel near the Yemen border, do so with the utmost caution and make sure you put your safety first.
  • Missiles and drones: most of the rockets and drone strikes launched by Yemen have been intercepted by Saudi’s defence systems. However, there is still a real risk of airborne weapons targeting airports and other public landmarks. If a rocket is shot down, beware of falling debris and make sure you take cover and stay away from doors and windows.
  • Protests: despite Saudi authorities having outlawed public demonstrations, they still regularly occur in Shia communities and the Eastern Province. They may seem peaceful, but protests can take a violent turn at the drop of a hat, so, it’s important to avoid large gatherings and follow the advice of the authorities.
  • Road conditions: the roads across major cities are well maintained. However, those in outlying areas are fairly shoddy. If you’re taking a drive out of the city, most of the roads are either loose gravel or sand and poorly lit at night. Never drive off-road unless in a convoy and ensure you have ample supplies.
  • Severe weather: the hot and dry climate means Saudi Arabia cops its fair share of dust storms. For example, a sand storm stretching 500km across the Arabian Peninsula hit Saudi Arabia in 2018. These severe weather events can trigger breathing difficulties and allergies.
  • Diseases: keep away from camels, don’t eat raw meat and only drink or use boiled or bottled water if you want to remain disease-free on your holiday. Saudi Arabia is a hot spot for illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, hepatitis and rabies. Medical treatment may be limited depending on where you are, so while these are treatable, you won’t want to risk it.

What’s covered by my travel insurance for my holiday to Saudi Arabia

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 flight cancellations or delays. Some of the ways travel insurance covers you include:

  1. Overseas medical bills: if you want peace of mind in case you become sick or hurt in Saudi Arabia and need medical assistance, buying travel insurance is a great option. The standard of hospitals in Saudi Arabia is reasonably good, albeit quite expensive if you don’t have travel insurance.
  2. Evacuation or repatriation: you may need medical evacuation back to Australia if you are in a critical condition due to illness or injury. If you need to be repatriated, the costs can be eye-watering and it can be hard to organise. 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 coverage 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.
  7. Personal liability: legal issues abroad may be costly. If you're held directly accountable for damage or injury, most companies may cover you 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: planning to go dune-bashing in the sands surrounding Jeddah or scuba dive with a hammerhead shark in the Red Sea? Most travel insurance plans don't cover these activities automatically, but they do offer supplementary coverage for an added premium.
  10. Pet cover: if your return home is delayed due to sickness or travel disruptions, your travel insurance can cover the additional boarding costs for your pet.

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

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

What factors should I consider before buying travel insurance for a trip to Saudi Arabia

It might be difficult to figure out which policy provides the most beneficial coverage for your next trip to Saudi Arabia. However, by comparing with Savvy and getting a few travel insurance quotes, 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 a senior over 75 and planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, 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 Saudi Arabia but also taking a holiday to the Bahamas within the year, it might be good to find a multi-trip 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 Saudi Arabia

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 go hiking across Moon Valley or skydive over the Saudi capital city of Riyadh, 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 with Savvy. For example, most comprehensive policies allow you to claim up to $7, 500 if you lose your luggage or have it damaged while on holiday, compared to some other providers who only let you claim $3, 000.

Inclusions and exclusions

When searching for the best international policy for your trip to Saudi Arabia, 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 Saudi Arabia

Combine policies

You can get group policies from providers covering you and your partner, your extended family, and even your children or grandchildren. Most travel insurance 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 take out cheaper 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, whether you’re travelling for business or leisure. Before you purchase a travel insurance 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 international seas.

Compare your travel insurance options

Using Savvy to help you decide lets you easily see which travel insurance 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.

Common questions about travel insurance to Saudi Arabia

Does travel insurance for Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia as of October 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 Saudi Arabia?

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

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 Saudi Arabia?

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 travel 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 Saudi Arabia cost?

There’s no average cost of travel insurance per se. instead, the price of your premium for a trip to Saudi Arabia 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 insurance company you’ve chosen
  • The level of cover you have purchased
  • What part of Saudi Arabia you’re travelling to (for example, you may not be able to receive cover if you’re travelling somewhere experiencing a natural disaster or 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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1300 974 066

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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