Travel insurance when visiting Chile and Argentina
Say hola to Chile and Argentina in style. Explore both countries knowing you are covered by World Nomads if things get too hot to handle.
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You are viewing global travel insurance tips. For US residents: Learn how Chile and Argentina are covered at World Nomads USA and get an instant travel insurance quote.
South America is known for its natural beauty, warm and friendly people, the passion for football and tango, and the wines of Chile and Argentina. When traveling around Argentina and Chile, you’ll find that activities are limitless, and the natural attractions need to be seen to be believed.
Try trekking and camping in Patagonia, sip on some vino at wineries in Salta and Mendoza, or go stargazing in the Atacama Desert (the driest place on Earth)
No matter what your plans are, you should consider travel insurance as you never know when it may come in handy.
What's covered
With World Nomads, you can buy travel insurance when you book your trip from home or while you're already traveling around Chile and Argentina. All our plans offer cover (up to the benefit limits) for:
- Overseas emergency medical
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Trip cancellation
- Stolen or delayed baggage
- Worldwide 24-hour Emergency Assistance Team
- Cover for some Coronavirus-related events.
Make sure that you’ve selected the right travel insurance plan for your specific needs. With World Nomads you can get a quote, make a claim, or extend your policy instantly online, even while traveling.
Note: all travel insurance plans are different, and cover will vary, depending on what's happened, your Country of Residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy.
Adventure and sports cover for more than 150 activities, sports and experiences
If there is one thing that both Chile and Argentina offer is outdoor adventures for all types and ages of travellers. Some highlights include:
- Trekking and hiking in Torres del Paine National Park
- Rafting and kayaking through the 330kms of Chilean Lake District
- Whale watching and spotting the penguins and other wildlife in Puerto Madryn
- Taking in the views in Bariloche while horse riding with the Gauchos.
- Escape to Easter Island and take in the sights and historical significance of the Moai
No matter what you plan to do, World Nomads offers cover for many activities but remember that you may need to compare the Standard or Explorer plans to see which activity levels are covered on each plan. Depending on your country of residence, you may need to add activities to your policy for an additional premium.
Your plan may also have conditions of coverage. For example, you may be required to wear safety equipment, book a tour with a licensed tour operator, or stay within certain parameters of your sport: your treks may only be covered up to a certain elevation, or your scuba dives only to a certain depth.
Please check your policy for any exclusions, such as search and rescue missions and professional sports.
Around the clock support for unexpected medical emergencies
Argentina and Chile are amongst the most-visited adventure travel destinations in the world and with that comes the possibility that you may be injured or worse. Your travel insurance can back you up if you’re injured or fall ill and need urgent medical assistance.
Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can get you help on the ground when you’re injured or sick, whether you need an ambulance transfer, or a visit to a doctor or a hospital that can treat your condition.
Get in touch with the team before undergoing any medical treatment; you may need pre-authorization before undergoing medical procedures or where medical evacuation is required. It’s also important that you look at the exclusions section of your policy; our plans don’t cover pre-existing medical conditions or preventative care.
Keep an eye on your gear 24/7
While Chile and Argentina are considered relatively safe tourist destinations, you should always be aware that petty thieves and pickpockets are attracted to some of the most popular tourist hotpots. When in crowded areas in any Chilean or Argentinian city, always maintain a sense of awareness of your surroundings.
As soon as you’ve realized your bags have been stolen or damaged, please report it to the relevant authority (carrier, tour operator, accommodation provider). In the case of theft, you’ll also need to report it to the local police or relevant authority, as theft is a crime. Generally, insurance won’t cover things such as losing bags or valuables that are left unattended. Remember to always keep originals or copies of your receipts if you need to make a claim.
It’s very important that you NEVER leave your valuables out of sight. If you're after travel insurance cover for tech gear or need extra cover just in case your bags are delayed or stolen then World Nomads has options for you to keep those prized possessions insured.
Crime and theft in Chile and Argentina
Theft and robbery in Buenos Aires and Santiago and other major cities in both countries are possible, especially in popular tourist areas such as La Boca.
The safety precautions you should take in Argentina and Chile are essentially the same as anywhere else: don’t take unlicensed taxis, don’t wander around alone at night, and avoid calling too much attention to yourself, avoid wearing flashy jewelry.
Also, be aware of motorcycle robberies called ‘motochorro’ in Argentina, which are common, where two people on a motorcycle grab your bag or whatever is in your hand as they pass you and take off. Also, keep in mind when visiting Chile that large-scale demonstrations occur in Santiago and other cities. Demonstrations can take place with little or no notice, and often result in disruptions to transportation, including service on public buses and the Santiago Metro.
Traveler tip: make copies of all key documents you’ll be traveling with – passport, ID, travel insurance, receipts, vouchers, addresses, transportation tickets – and keep them separate from the originals while abroad so you’ll have backups and proof of purchase if anything happens.
What's not covered
Here are some of the things we don't provide cover for:
- Pre-existing medical conditions – see the policy wording for details.
- Traveling to, planning to travel to, or choosing to remain in a country or region that is subject to a ‘Do Not Travel’ or ‘Avoid Essential Travel’ warning issued by your Country of Residence.
- Participation in a sport or activity not listed in the policy wording or agreed by World Nomads where you haven’t paid the required additional premium.
- Costs arising from refusal to be repatriated once declared medically unfit to continue a trip but fit for repatriation.
- Non-emergency treatment that can wait until you return home (it's not health insurance, it's travel insurance for medical emergencies)
- Expenses you have not made every reasonable attempt to recover from the carrier, accommodation provider, booking or travel agents, any compensation scheme, or other source
Looking for more travel inspiration for Chile and Argentina?
World Nomads has various articles that cover a range of fun topics on Chile and Argentina, here’s a sample of some of our content:
- Highlights of Southern Chile: An Adventurer's Guide
- Natural Disasters in Chile: Tips to Stay Safe
- How to Stay Healthy While Traveling in Chile
- An Outsider’s Guide to Mendoza, Argentina
- Weather in Argentina: The Best Times to Visit
- How to Stay Healthy While Traveling in Argentina
About World Nomads
World Nomads polices are designed by travelers for travelers to provide simple and flexible travel insurance. Featuring coverage for more than 150 activities, you can get a quote, claim, or extend your policy online at www.worldnomads.com. All the information we provide about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.
Watch Anton's true claim story
I fell on my side and heard the sound of dry stick breaking, I realized my leg was broken, then I just lay on the beach... The first phone call I got was from World Nomads and they basically told me, you don't worry about this Anton, just focus on getting better...and we'll take care of the rest.
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Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you*
Trip Cancellation
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Trip Protection
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Emergency Medical Expenses
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Emergency Medical Insurance
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Emergency Medical Transportation
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Protect your gear
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Protect your gear
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- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact the teamBefore your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.