Do you need insurance for a trip to Uzbekistan

Russian citizens enter Uzbekistan without a visa using an international passport. Tourists’ medical insurance is not checked on entry and is not mandatory. However, the OMS policy is not valid in Uzbekistan, and treatment in clinics is paid for foreigners. Insurance is therefore a simple way not to worry about money if you need a doctor on the trip.

Tashkent has modern private clinics, but in small towns and desert areas the choice of medical care is limited. In case of a serious illness the patient is transported to the capital or home — the policy covers transportation costs within the sum insured.

Which sum to choose

For a sightseeing trip to Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva USD 30,000 is enough. If you travel with children, are older or plan to go to the mountains, USD 50,000 is better.

Features of travelling in Uzbekistan

  • Heat. In summer the air in Bukhara and Khiva heats up above 40 °C. Heatstroke and dehydration are common reasons for seeing a doctor, and sunburn is covered by a separate option. The best time for sightseeing is spring and autumn.
  • Intestinal infections. Plov, samsa, shashlik and fruit from the market — unfamiliar food and water often cause stomach upsets. Drink bottled water and contact the assistance company at the first symptoms.
  • Mountains. Chimgan and Amirsoy near Tashkent are popular for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. This requires the active sports or skiing option.
  • Getting around. People travel between cities by high-speed train, car and domestic flights. The flight delay option and baggage cover are useful on a complex route. If you rent a car, consider the accident option as well.
  • The desert and the Aral Sea. Trips to remote areas require a margin in the sum insured for evacuation.

Uzbekistan is often combined with Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan. In that case buy one policy and list all countries of the route.

How to buy travel insurance to Uzbekistan on polisre.ru

The calculator at the top of the page is already set to “Uzbekistan”. Quotes and purchase are handled by Polis Re’s partner, the Cherehapa service: you compare plans from 16 Russian insurance companies and buy a policy online, and the policy itself is issued by the insurer you choose.

  1. Enter your travel dates and the age of each traveller.
  2. Choose the sum insured and add the options you need: sunburn, skiing, active sports, flight delay.
  3. Compare plans: the deductible, the assistance company, limits for individual risks and the exclusions in the policy terms.
  4. Enter your first and last name in Latin letters exactly as in your international passport, then pay by card.
  5. The policy is sent to your e-mail. Save it on your phone and print it if that is convenient.

If you fall ill or get injured in Uzbekistan

Do not go to a random clinic: without approval from the assistance company the insurer may refuse to pay or reimburse only part of the costs. Here is the procedure.

  1. Contact the assistance company using the phone number in the policy. Call costs are reimbursed if the policy includes this service.
  2. Describe the situation and get a case number and the clinic address.
  3. Keep all medical documents and receipts, even if the assistance company paid for treatment.
  4. In an emergency, call an ambulance and report the case to the assistance company as soon as you can.

What counts as an insured event and how to get reimbursed is explained in the “Insured event” section.

Nearby destinations

If your route covers several countries, see the other pages too: insurance to Kazakhstan, insurance to China, insurance to Armenia, insurance to Georgia. The full list of destinations, annual policies and tips on choosing cover are on the travel insurance page.