Do you need insurance for Mongolia?
Russian citizens do not need a visa for Mongolia if the trip lasts no longer than 30 days. Medical insurance is not required for entry either. But Mongolia is one of those destinations where a policy matters not at the border but on the road: the country is vast, settlements are few, and good clinics are concentrated mainly in Ulaanbaatar.
If you fall ill in the capital, you can reach a doctor within an hour. If something happens in the steppe or the Gobi Desert, the question is not only treatment but also how to get the person to a hospital. These are exactly the costs a good travel medical insurance policy (known in Russia as VZR) covers.
The key to a Mongolia policy: transport and evacuation
When choosing a programme, look not only at the sum insured but also at what it covers. For Mongolia, the key items are:
- Medical transport. Transfer from a remote area to a clinic that can provide the necessary care.
- Evacuation and repatriation. Transport home if treatment on site is impossible or will take long.
- Hospitalisation and emergency care. The core of any programme.
- Deductible. A programme without a deductible spares you extra payments for each claim.
A base sum of USD 30,000 is usually enough for a trip to Ulaanbaatar and its surroundings. If you are going on a multi-day expedition across the steppe, to the Gobi or to distant lakes, it makes sense to choose a higher sum: transport from the backcountry costs more than a regular doctor's visit.
Travelling in Mongolia: what to keep in mind
Distances and off-road driving
Many routes follow dirt roads and tracks across the steppe. Long drives in off-road vehicles are tiring, and a breakdown can hold a group up for a day. The Accident option pays compensation for an injury on the road, and the Baggage option helps if your belongings are damaged or lost during a flight.
Horse riding
In Mongolia the horse is part of everyday life, and almost every tour includes horse rides. Falling from a horse is a common cause of injury among tourists. A standard policy may not cover riding, so select horse riding as a sport in the calculator or check in the rules that riding is included in the programme.
A sharply continental climate
Days can be hot and nights cold; the weather in the steppe changes fast. Colds, hypothermia, sunburn and dehydration are typical problems for travellers. Bring a first-aid kit, but remember: if you feel seriously unwell, do not self-medicate; call the assistance company.
Chronic conditions
If you have chronic illnesses, add the Chronic Conditions option: it covers emergency care in case of a sudden flare-up. Far from hospitals this is especially important. Consult your doctor before a long route.
How to choose a programme
For a city trip, a medical programme with transport cover is enough. For a tour of the steppe and the Gobi, choose a higher sum, horse riding and accident cover. If your route continues to neighbouring countries, see the pages for insurance to China, to Kazakhstan and to Kyrgyzstan: they also involve plenty of mountains and long drives.
What to do in an insured event
- Contact the assistance company as soon as possible on the phone number in your policy. Mobile coverage is patchy in remote areas, so save the number in advance and ask your guide to help you get through.
- Describe the situation and follow the instructions: the assistance company will approve a clinic and, if necessary, transport.
- Do not pay for treatment yourself without approval, otherwise the costs may not be reimbursed.
- Collect certificates, discharge notes, invoices and receipts.
More details are in the Insured Event section.
How to buy insurance for Mongolia at polisre.ru
The policy is purchased online through the Cherehapa service (Polis Re's partner). The calculator brings together programmes from 16 insurance companies, and the policy is issued by the company you choose.
- Enter the country, travel dates and travellers' ages.
- Choose the sum insured and options: horse riding, accident, chronic conditions.
- Compare insurers' offers.
- Enter your details in Latin letters, as in your international passport.
- Pay and receive the policy by e-mail.
Already in Mongolia without insurance? Some insurers offer programmes for people who are already travelling; check the conditions (for example, a waiting period) in the calculator. Other destinations are in the travel insurance section.