From its ancient wonders to its sandy beaches, learn how travel insurance can help Americans traveling to Cambodia.
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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 1 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 1 2024, please see below.
From catching sunrises over Angkor Wat to relaxing on the shores of Koh Rong, Cambodia is home to ancient wonders, mouthwatering dishes like fish amok, and beautiful jungle and coastal landscapes. Thousands of Americans make the trip to Cambodia every year to dive deeper into the wonders this Southeast Asian country has to offer.
Sample pepper straight from the trees in Kampot, fill up on crab in Kep, and visit the floating villages on Tonle Sap. Admire the gilded Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, wander through the markets of Siem Reap, and explore ancient temples beyond Angkor Wat. Unwind on peaceful Koh Thmei or drink Angkor beers and dance the night away in Sihanoukville.
While a trip to Cambodia is an incredible experience, there are some things to be aware of when visiting from the US, including theft and motorcycle accidents. We’ve learned quite a bit in our travels and encourage you to explore travel insurance* plans for Cambodia.
International travel can bring all kinds of unexpected surprises - like swimming in bioluminescence waters along on the Cambodian coast.
Some surprises are not as great though. Nobody wants to think about canceled trips, delayed baggage, and medical emergencies, but these things can happen unexpectedly. If you get into a motorcycle accident while cruising around Siem Reap, you may then wish that you had travel insurance for Cambodia.
World Nomads has four plans to choose from, and when you get a quote you can compare the options to choose the best international travel insurance for your needs.
Cambodia has plenty of adventures to offer the active traveler. Nature lovers will particularly be enthralled by Cambodia’s wild east, where you can look for endangered river dolphins, go wild swimming, and visit tribal villages and waterfalls. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Americans traveling to Cambodia and includes things like scuba diving in Koh Kon, hiking through the remote jungles of Virachey National Park, and kayaking down the Mekong River.
When you get a quote for your travel insurance for Cambodia, it’s helpful to have a general itinerary in mind. Different plans cover different activities. Knowing your activities in advance will help you choose the best insurance for your trip.
Ziplining over the spectacular Bousra waterfall, cycling around Koh Trong Island, and volunteering at the ethical Elephant Valley Project are covered under all plans, including the Standard Plan. If you want to climb via ferrata in the rock formations around Kampot, though, you’ll need to invest in an Explorer or an Epic Plan.
Motorbiking is common in Cambodia, and in some instances, it could be covered by your travel insurance plan - but it’s not guaranteed. Just because it’s easy to rent a motorbike there doesn’t mean you should, and it doesn’t mean you’ll be covered.
We get a lot of accident claims from nomads who hop on a motorized bike for the first time in Cambodia because it’s cheap and easy to rent. However, safety is not always top priority for other drivers – speed and convenience are. The rules of the road can be very different from back home in the United States and traffic can be hectic. Motorbike accidents are quite common and it’s very important to know that if you don’t have the proper license for motorbiking, your travel insurance for Cambodia won’t cover you.
If motorbiking is something you insist on doing, you’ll need to look at getting the proper license for motorbiking in Cambodia before you leave the US. You can get specific license requirements for Cambodia on the U.S. government’s website. You’ll also want to review your plan wording carefully when you get a quote for travel insurance for Cambodia.
Before you take off on your Cambodian adventure, we recommend that you make an appointment with Runway Health-- an online travel clinic and our non-insurance service partner. The telehealth service offers online consultations 24/7 and can help you obtain necessary vaccinations or medications, such as medication to help with traveler’s diarrhea or malaria prevention. We also recommend you pack a strong mosquito repellent and sunscreen to keep you protected on your travels.
Medical care in Cambodia looks a bit different than what you’re used to in the US. If you crash your bike while cycling around the temples of Angkor Wat, you may need to seek medical attention. In the event of a medical emergency while traveling in Cambodia, you can call the 24/7 emergency assistance team and they can help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. They can also help communicate with your local medical team if there are language barriers.
If your attending physician (and the 24/7 emergency assistance team) determines that it’s best for you to go home to the US to get medical care, the repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Cambodia may cover the costs to get you there.
What happens if your bags don’t show up at baggage claim when you land in Phnom Penh? If you’re lucky, your bags just took a detour and will eventually make their way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. If your bag is at least 12 hours delayed, you may still be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.
The first step is to contact the airline. If the airline isn’t able to help you locate your lost bag, the second step is to contact Blue Ribbon Bags, a non-insurance service that will track and expedite the return of your undelivered baggage by the airline. Make sure to have the file reference or record locator number and Property Irregularity Report on hand when you call Blue Ribbon Bags so you can file a lost luggage claim.
Petty theft, crime, and pickpockets can take place in Phnom Penh and touristy spots like Angkor Wat and Sihanoukville. Motorcyclists have been known to grab bags as they drive by people on the street. Watch out for scams, as well. A common one is a child or mother asking you to buy them formula from a store, which they’ll return for money.
Keeping your bag in front of you, having an eye on your belongings, and leaving your valuables locked in a safe at your hotel minimize the risk of theft. If anything does happen, make sure you make a police report. You’ll need that if you have to make a claim.
It's important that you do your part to keep your belongings safe. If you have a few too many beers during a night out in Phnom Penh, leave your belongings unattended at a nightclub, and your purse is stolen, your travel insurance for Cambodia won’t cover you.
Even if you’ve booked all your hotels and excursions for Cambodia, unexcepted things can happen that might disrupt your trip. When looking for travel insurance plans for Cambodia, consider getting one that covers trip cancelation, delays, and interruptions.
Cambodia is vulnerable to natural disasters and can experience things like flooding, cyclones, and landslides throughout the year. If an unforeseen cyclone hits Cambodia before you leave for your trip and the US government issues a warning for travel there, your travel insurance for Cambodia may reimburse you for pre-paid, non-refundable flights, tours, and accommodation.
Cambodia is quite a journey from the United States so if you want an additional safety net for your trip, consider purchasing CFAR (cancel for any reason) as an add-on to your Explorer or Epic Plan during the time-sensitive period. Whether you simply change your mind or need to cancel your vacation for any reason not covered by the insurance plan, CFAR allows you to cancel and get back a portion of your prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses, whether that be a cruise or a cultural excursion.
Before you head out on your epic adventure, we encourage you to check out the US government’s travel warnings for Cambodia. Weather, safety, and political situations can change at any time, and this is where they list any current advisories.
If you purchase travel insurance for Cambodia, it is a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your plan number in your cell phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens.
Remember that Cambodia has a complicated history, and the majority of the population has been impacted by the Khmer Rouge in some capacity. Visit sites like Choeung Ek Killing Fields to learn more about this side of Cambodia’s history and be respectful when discussing these topics. You can also check out our tips on how to be a responsible tourist in Cambodia.
If it aligns with your schedule, visit during the Khmer New Year in April, which is a colorful, family-centric celebration and a fantastic way to experience Khmer culture.
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.