Travel insurance for the Caribbean
Essential travel insurance tips
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to the Caribbean. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in the Caribbean like hiking, horse riding and diving.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip interruptions and lost luggage.
Deciding where to go in the Caribbean comes down to the kind of experience you’re after. Places like Jamaica and the Dominican Republic bring energy, music and beach life, while islands like St Lucia and Grenada balance dramatic scenery with a slower pace. In the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, it’s all about clear water, reefs and easy island hopping. No matter where you go, you can choose your rhythm – beach days and water sports, adrenaline-charged adventures beyond your resort or simply slowing down – cocktail in hand. Distances between islands are short, making it easy to mix and match experiences on a single trip. The Dominican Republic is the most popular Caribbean destination for Canadian travellers, thanks to direct flights, affordability and year-round great weather.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. We offer four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different coverages or levels of coverage.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to the Caribbean. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in the Caribbean
Whether you stay on the coast or venture inland, there’s plenty here to keep you moving in the Caribbean. Dive or snorkel coral reefs in the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos, swim with stingrays in Grand Cayman or head out on sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding trips between islands. In St Lucia, hike the volcanic peaks of the Pitons or zipline through rainforest canopy, while in Jamaica, there’s everything from scuba diving to horse riding along the beach. The Dominican Republic offers mountain biking, canyoning and waterfall hikes inland, while Puerto Rico’s El Yunque rainforest is all about trails, rivers and natural pools.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
Common insurance considerations for the Caribbean
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel insurance before you left home. Had a car accident in Jamaica? Cut your foot on a coral reef and ended up in hospital? Ate dodgy street food and got a bad bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away.
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
Emergency evacuation
If you get seriously sick or injured but you’re far from appropriate medical facilities, emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance can help get you the care you need. It may cover, up to the policy limits, the cost to get you to the closest appropriate medical facility or to your home province for further treatment. Under your World Nomads plan, emergency evacuation may be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies. If you’re in hospital for three days or more, it may also include the transportation of a family member or companion to your bedside or the return of a dependent child back to your home.
Trip interruption
No matter how good of a time you’re having, things can happen that mean you have to finish your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get severely injured or sick while you're travelling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Tips for travelling to the Caribbean
- Hurricane season runs from June to November, so check weather conditions and travel insurance before booking
- Pack light, breathable clothing, along with reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent
- Follow local advice on swimming conditions, as currents can be strong on some beaches
- Book popular resorts and experiences early, especially in peak season (December to April)
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for the Caribbean. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do Canadians need a visa to visit the Caribbean?
Visa requirements vary by island. Many Caribbean destinations are visa-free for Canadians for short stays, but it’s best to check entry requirements for each country before you travel.
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What is the best time to visit the Caribbean?
December to April is the most popular time, with dry, sunny weather. June to November is hurricane season, with higher humidity and a greater chance of storms.
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Is the Caribbean safe for travellers?
Most Caribbean destinations are safe to visit, especially in resort areas. As with any destination, stay aware of your surroundings and take precautions in busy or unfamiliar areas.
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Can I drink tap water in the Caribbean?
Tap water is safe on some islands but not all. If in doubt, stick to bottled or filtered water.
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What currency is used in the Caribbean?
Currencies vary by island. Some use local currencies, while US dollars are widely accepted in many destinations.
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What is the best way to get around?
Flights are the quickest way to travel between islands, while ferries operate in some regions. On individual islands, taxis and rental cars are common.
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Do I need travel insurance for the Caribbean?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.