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Travel Insurance







Travel insurance
is a sensible precaution in Ecuador.  Choose a policy suitable for your travel needs.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for Ecuador should be bought before you leave your home country - most insurers will refuse to provide a travel policy starting after you have left.  Your insurance should also cover the cost of your flights if you are unable to travel, so it is worth buying a policy as soon as you book your flight.  The insurance cover you require will depend on your personal situation.

Ecuador is a developing country with limited medical facilities.  A travel policy with good medical cover, including evacuation by air to a country with better hospital facilities if necessary, could be seen as sensible.  This is even more important for older travellers or those more prone to illness.  Young, healthy travellers who speak fluent Spanish might prefer to take a cheaper travel insurance policy with a higher excess and see a local doctor for any minor health issues, but you'll still need travel cover in case of serious illness.

Personal Belongings
The risk of pickpocketing is significant on public buses and crowded markets.  If you don't carry anything of high value when you travel, then the amounts involved may be lower than the insurance policy excess.  If you have an expensive camera and your high-end travel gear cost a small fortune, the situation would be different.

A comprehensive travel insurance with a high level of personal belongings cover and a low excess might be an attractive option, especially if you have a lot of high-value items in your luggage.  Check the cover limits on individual items.

Backpacker-type travel policies with medical and liability cover but no baggage insurance are cheaper.  You will save money on the insurance premium, if you can accept that you may have to spend some of the savings in replacing a few of your belongings.  This can be good value for experienced travellers with low-value luggage, but do make sure you have adequate cover for medical emergencies or legal situations.

Sporting Activities Cover
Extreme sports enthusiasts should look for a travel insurance policy which covers their specific activities in Ecuador.  You might have to pay an extra premium for cover for some activities, especially riskier sports such as mountaineering or diving.

Volunteer Insurance
Some insurers class volunteering as work, even if you are not paid.  Pick a suitable travel policy, make your insurer aware that you will be a volunteer in Ecuador and check that the tasks involved in your volunteering are not excluded from cover.

Insurance for Older Travellers
Travel insurance for those aged over 65 is not so easy to find and for those over 75 it is even more of a challenge.  If you are UK-based, Saga claim to have no upper age limit for their travel insurance policy.

Travel thoughtfully in Ecuador - be aware of your surroundings, keep hold of your valuables, don't flash expensive possessions around, don't allow yourself to be distracted and don't take your eyes off your luggage.  Here's hoping that, like many visitors, you'll have a peaceful visit to Ecuador and won't need to claim on your travel insurance. 

Travel insurance policies vary, you must choose a travel policy to meet your specific needs.  Shop around to get the travel cover you want.  Only you know how prone you are to illness, accidents or losing things.  Your choice of hotels and transport also affects the risk of loss.  For trips of more than 31 days you will find rather fewer choices available and a backpacker policy might be your only insurance option.