Do you need travel insurance for Mauritius
Mauritius is open to Russians without a visa: you can stay on the island for up to 60 days in a row, but no more than 90 days in six months. Before the trip you need to fill in the All-in-One electronic form. It can be submitted no earlier than 72 hours before departure, so do not leave it until you are on the way to the airport, but do not try to fill it in too early either.
Travel insurance is not officially confirmed as an entry condition: sources disagree on this point. So a policy is recommended, and check the current requirements before you travel on the consulate's website or with your airline. Even if nobody asks for it at the border, it protects you from the cost of treatment, which is paid for tourists.
What the policy should look like
- Period: all days of the trip, including the departure and return days.
- Territory: Mauritius, or wider if you have connections where you leave the airport or stops in other countries.
- Cover: emergency medical care, hospitalisation, transportation and repatriation.
- Deductible: better without one, so that you do not pay out of pocket for every doctor's visit.
- Active leisure: as a separate option if you plan to dive or kite.
Mauritius: what to keep in mind
The ocean
The beaches of Mauritius are protected by a reef, but beyond it lies the open ocean with currents and waves. Boat trips, catamarans, fishing and swimming beyond the reef call for caution. Coral cuts, bruises from rocks and sea urchin encounters are common reasons to see a doctor on a beach holiday.
Diving
The island is popular with divers. Insurers treat scuba diving as active leisure, and it is usually not included in a basic policy. When you calculate the price, tick diving and check the depth limits and certification requirements in the chosen insurer's terms.
Kitesurfing and other water sports
Mauritius is known for its windy lagoons, and many people go there to learn kitesurfing or ride on their own. This is also active leisure that must be included in the policy. Falls on the water, dislocations and line injuries happen even to experienced riders, let alone beginners. Consider accident insurance as well as third-party liability: there are other people around when you ride.
The sun
The tropical sun and long hours on the water easily lead to sunburn and heatstroke. Heatstroke is an emergency, and some insurers offer a separate option for severe sunburn.
Flights and belongings
The journey to Mauritius is long, usually with a connection, so the "Flight delay" and "Baggage" options will come in handy. If your hotel and tickets are paid in advance, think about trip cancellation cover.
How to choose the sum insured and the plan
By default the calculator suggests 50,000 $ for Mauritius. For a relaxed beach holiday that is a reasonable level. If you are going for diving or kiting, planning a long trip or travelling with elderly relatives, choose a higher sum. Compare not only the price but also which sports are included and whether there is a deductible. If you want to combine Mauritius with other Indian Ocean islands, see the pages on Seychelles and the Maldives, and for a trip with an East African safari the page on Tanzania and Zanzibar will help.
What to do if something happens
If you fall ill or get injured, first call the assistance company on the phone number in your policy: give your policy number, describe your symptoms and say where you are. The assistance company will refer you to a clinic it works with or approve one nearby. Do not pay for treatment yourself without approval. If a doctor has issued a bill anyway, keep it together with receipts, prescriptions and the medical report: you will need these documents for reimbursement. Detailed instructions are in the Insurance claim section.
How to buy travel insurance for Mauritius online
You can buy a policy at polisre.ru without leaving home:
- Open the calculator and choose Mauritius and your travel dates.
- Add options: diving or kitesurfing, baggage, flight delay, accident cover.
- Compare offers from 16 insurance companies. Pricing and purchase run through the Cherehapa service (Polis Re's partner).
- Fill in the travellers' details exactly as in their international passports and pay for the policy.
- Receive the policy by e-mail. It is issued by the insurance company you choose.
If you are already on the island, note that some insurers offer plans for people who are already travelling; check the conditions (for example, a waiting period) in the calculator. Other destinations are listed in the Travel insurance section.