What the Caribbean Islands territory is
The travel insurance calculator has a separate territory for the Caribbean. It is convenient if you are not going to just one country but plan to move between islands, combine a holiday with a cruise, or have not yet decided where to spend the second half of your trip. The group includes:
- Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados;
- Haiti, Grenada, Dominica;
- the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Cuba;
- Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica.
One policy covers all these countries for the dates you choose, so there is no need to buy separate insurance for each island. If you are flying to a single country, it is easier to select it directly.
Do you need insurance for the Caribbean
There is no single rule for the region: each country has its own visa regime and insurance requirements, so check them for every stop on your route before travelling. A few important points:
- Cuba. Medical insurance is mandatory here. We cover the policy requirements in detail on the page on travel insurance for Cuba.
- Dominican Republic. A policy is not required, but you must fill in the E-Ticket electronic form before the trip. Details are on the page on travel insurance for the Dominican Republic.
- Martinique. The island is an overseas region of France, so it has special entry rules that differ from neighbouring countries. Be sure to check them in advance.
Even where insurance is not required, you need it: medical care for tourists is paid, the islands are far from each other and from Russia, and a serious illness may require transporting the patient to another country or home.
Regional risks and options to consider
Hurricane season
The Caribbean is known for tropical storms and hurricanes, which most often occur in the second half of summer and in autumn. A hurricane can disrupt flights, damage a hotel or lead to evacuation. The calculator has a Natural disasters option: if your trip falls in hurricane season, it makes sense to add it. Read the coverage terms in the insurer's rules.
Dengue and tropical infections
The hot and humid climate keeps mosquitoes active, and they carry dengue fever. The calculator has a separate Dengue fever option for this risk. Stomach infections and food poisoning are part of basic medical cover.
Diving and the sea
Reefs, shipwrecks and clear water make the region popular with divers. For an insurance company, diving is active leisure or sport, and without the matching option an underwater injury may not be covered. The same applies to kitesurfing, surfing and other water activities.
Sun
The tropical sun burns quickly. Sunburn and heatstroke are a common reason to see a doctor in the first days of a holiday.
Connecting flights
Flights from Russia to the Caribbean usually involve connections, and between islands you have to use local flights and ferries. The Flight delay and Baggage options help if a connection fails or a suitcase goes missing.
How to choose the sum insured and programme
By default the calculator suggests USD 50,000 for the Caribbean Islands territory. For a long-haul trip with flights between islands it is not worth reducing the sum. Add options for your route: natural disasters, dengue, active leisure, emergency dental care, baggage. If a traveller has a chronic condition, add the corresponding option. A policy without a deductible saves you co-payments on each claim. If your route goes beyond the region, consider the Worldwide territory.
What to do if something happens
- Call the assistance company on the number in your policy and describe the situation.
- Wait for a clinic or a doctor's visit to be approved.
- Do not pay for treatment yourself without approval.
- Keep documents and receipts.
Step-by-step guidance is available in the article on insured events.
How to buy a policy online on polisre.ru
The quote and purchase go through the Cherehapa service (Polis Re's partner); the policy is issued by the insurance company you choose. In the calculator, select the Caribbean Islands territory, enter your dates and travellers' ages, add options and compare offers from 16 insurance companies. Then enter the details in Latin letters, as in the international passport, pay for the policy and receive it by e-mail.
If you are already on the islands, some insurers have programmes for people who are already travelling; check the conditions (for example, a waiting period) in the calculator. All destinations are collected in the Travel insurance section.