There’s nowhere as intensely varied as South America. The continent stretches almost 5000 miles, encompassing lush rainforests, towering mountains, smoking volcanoes, beautiful beaches, hectic cities and some of the most jaw-dropping deserts on earth.
With such variance in landscape, climate and population centres, choosing the right travel insurance for South America is of utmost importance. Unexpected things can and do happen while travelling. Having the right insurance means you won’t be left out of pocket, or worse, be stuck unable to get emergency medical treatment should something go wrong!
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- Available worldwide
- Rolling monthly subscription
- No return date required
- Cover diving and motorcycle use
- Check policy wording for full details
- World Nomads travel insurance policies offer coverage for more than 150 activities.
- Get a quote, make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road.
- Check policy wording for full details
- Only insures travellers from Europe
- Cover for diving and motorcycle use
- Additional activity packs available
- Check policy wording for full details
Related: (links open in a new tab)
- The Best Travel Insurance for Backpackers
- Planning a Trip to South America?
- When To Buy Travel Insurance
Contents
Best South America Travel Insurance Providers
SafetyWing
SafetyWing
- Takes just 15 minutes to arrange your policy
- Cover in almost every country in the world
- Subscription-style insurance – pay a rolling monthly fee
SafetyWing changed the game when it comes to travel insurance for backpackers in Latin America! Their subscription pricing model means you don’t need an end date or return ticket home from your trip – your insurance is valid as long as you keep paying for it! You don’t need to be at home to purchase your policy and you don’t need to let SafetyWing know which countries you plan to visit – just let them know the first country on your South American itinerary!
SafetyWing don't cover you for accidents or injuries sustained while mountaineering over 4,500 metres above sea level. What defines mountaineering isn’t clear in their policy wording so if you intend to partake in activities above this elevation you should contact them to check whether you’ll be covered. They have an excellent support team who are on hand 24/7 and respond to queries within minutes!
Cycling Death Road is covered by SafetyWing as long as it’s a one-off activity. They do not cover cycling if it’s the primary mode of transport for your trip.
- Subscription style insurance
- Policy can be taken out when already travelling
- No return date required
- Main focus is on medical cover
- Relatively high deductibles
- More expensive for older travellers
- Much more expensive if you plan to visit the USA
World Nomads
World Nomads
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance
- You can buy insurance while already travelling
- You can claim from anywhere in the world
Since 2002 World Nomads have been offering travel insurance to backpackers in South America. They offer coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
It’s worth noting though, for maximum coverage you’ll need to purchase additional packages. Activities such as cycling Death Road may not be covered as standard.
World Nomads offer specific coverage for different elevations and activities – as much of South America is well over 3000 metres above sea level, check the policy wording, or contact World Nomads directly, to be sure the activities you want to do are covered!
- No round-trip ticket needed
- Can purchase a policy while already travelling
- Available to contact 24/7
- Not all activities are covered as standard – add-ons may be required
TrueTraveller
TrueTraveller
- TrueTraveller offer a backpacker-specific insurance plan
- There are four activity packages so you can get the most relevant cover for you
- It’s easy to make a claim while travelling
TrueTraveller’s Backpacker insurance policy is an excellent value-for-money option for travellers from Europe or the UK. While they offer different policies, their backpacker policy is most relevant to those visiting South America for extended periods.
True Traveller offer four different activity packages so you don’t need to pay for cover you’ll never use! The maximum trip length is 18 months unless you’re visiting the USA or Canada where you can get cover for up to two years.
It’s easy to make claims on the road but you’ll need to call them. They advise using Skype and buying a small amount of credit to do so. All costs incurred while contacting TrueTraveller to make a claim are refundable.
TrueTraveller do not cover Death Road and the elevation they cover up to depends on the activity pack you choose. Ensure you get the right pack by checking the description of coverage or contacting them directly before making your purchase!
- Available if you're already travelling
- 24/7 emergency assistance available
- It's easy to claim while travelling
- Only available to residents of the UK and Europe
- Doesn't cover Death Road cycle tours
- Extending your policy while on the road is super expensive
Other Popular Travel Insurance Options for South America
- Faye – App-based insurance for United States residents only.
- Heymondo – Insurance broker who work to find you the best deal
- Passport Card Nomads – More comprehensive medical insurance for digital nomads and long-term travellers.
What to Consider When Choosing Travel Insurance for South America
What Activities Are Covered
Before choosing your travel insurance for South America, you’ll need to check which activities are covered. If you plan on taking on some of South America’s most popular activities like diving in the Galápagos, cycling Bolivia’s Death Road or trekking to Machu Picchu, you need to ensure you’re covered!
Altitude
A lot of travel insurance providers don’t cover activities undertaken above a certain altitude. Many of South America’s most popular locations are in the Andes and it’s not uncommon for towns or cities to be well over 3000 metres above sea level. Make sure you’re still insured at these elevations! Be aware that many of the treks to Machu Picchu require you to cross passes over 4000 metres. The Inca Trail tops out at 4200m.a.s.l. while the Salkantay reaches 4600m.a.s.l.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions
If you live with a pre-existing medical condition you need to let your insurance company know. They will likely still offer some level of cover but not for anything related to your condition. If you need more comprehensive insurance coverage, you’ll need to look for a specialist company like StaySure.
Evacuation Cover
Many of South America’s most memorable moments take place in hard-to-reach locations. Whether it’s up high in the mountains, deep in the jungle or simply a small village, hours from the closest hospital, make sure you can get to help if you need it! Having medical evacuation and rescue cover ensures you’re able to reach treatment in case you get hurt or seriously ill!
Value of Medical Cover
Getting emergency treatment abroad is super expensive! Make sure your insurance covers medical expenses up to a decent amount. Anything less than $250,000 isn’t worth considering.
Cover for Lost or Stolen Belongings
While most people travel in South America without a problem, it’s often considered one of the more dangerous places to visit. Petty theft isn’t unheard of so using an anti-theft backpack or money belt and having your belongings covered is always a good idea!
Read More:
👉 Safety Tips for Travelling in South America 👈
👉 The Safest South American Countries 👈
Do I Need Travel Insurance for South America?
Travel insurance for South America isn’t legally required for the continent as a whole but it’s strongly recommended. Not only should a good South American travel insurance policy protect you from the cost of emergency medical treatment, it should also cover you for lost or stolen belongings and trip interruption. Cancellation cover is always a good idea if you can find a policy that offers it. With the right travel insurance, you shouldn’t be out of pocket if something goes awry on the road!
How Do I Choose the Best South America Travel Insurance Policy for My Trip?
When choosing a travel insurance policy for South America, consider what you’ll be doing and the level of medical and evacuation cover the company offer. You should always compare different policies to see which is the best fit for you!
A Round-Up of South America Travel Insurance
While many people visit South America without travel insurance, it’s irresponsible at best and deadly at worst. Travelling without insurance not only puts you at real physical risk but also risks the finances of your loved ones who will be the ones to bail you out if you can’t afford potential treatments!
Here at South America Backpacker, we never visit the continent without the right travel insurance!
- Available worldwide
- Rolling monthly subscription
- No return date required
- Cover diving and motorcycle use
- Check policy wording for full details
- World Nomads travel insurance policies offer coverage for more than 150 activities.
- Get a quote, make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road.
- Check policy wording for full details
- Only insures travellers from Europe
- Cover for diving and motorcycle use
- Additional activity packs available
- Check policy wording for full details